Synopses & Reviews
Learning to play a musical instrument can be fun, but also quite a burden at times. Young people not only have to find time to practice in the midst of their super-busy schedules. They also have to deal with such tricky problems as taming performance jitters, handling pesky peers, mastering challenging pieces, preparing for rigorous competitions, and dealing with demanding conductors.
This lively, highly accessible book will help young people with some of the difficulties involved in learning a new instrument. It is filled with practical tips from more experienced teens and from well-known professional musicians. Numerous studies have demonstrated that children relate much better to advice from an age group closer to their own. That is why 150 teens from renowned musical programs, such as the Juilliard School's Pre-College Program and Boston University's Tanglewood Institute--offer pointers on coping with the various problems they encountered at an earlier age. Both youngsters and adults will also benefit from the practical advice given by nineteen professional musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, Paula Robison, James Galway, Andre Watts, Joshua Bell, and Evelyn Glennie. They tell us how they tackled these same problems when they were kids, and how they handle them today.
An extensive resource guide at the end of the book, complete with web address listings, both directs readers to sources of additional help and helps them in their exploration of the world of music. If you are the parent of a child with musical ability, or if your son or daughter is trying to master a musical instrument, this book is the kind of gift that will save a lot of headaches for both you and your youngsters.
Review
"A book filled with practical advice about how to find time to practice, how to calm down before playing in public, and how to handle that chatterbox who sits behind you at rehearsal."--The New York Times
"From choosing an instrument to practicing regularly to learning the rules of ensemble etiquette, this guide is packed with useful suggestions and enthusiasm for music."--Publishers Weekly
"Nathan provides advice for teen musicians on topics such as choosing an instrument, finding time to practice, handling performance jitters, and dealing with others in the band or orchestra.... A unique and potentially useful resource for young musicians looking for help."--Booklist
"Thorough work. Nathan combines advice from teenagers with that of well-known professionals.... Through the carefully organized chapters, young performers will discover that the frustrations and fears they experience are not unique.... There is an encouraging but honest tone throughout."--School Library Journal
"A unique resource for the young instrumentalist. It speaks in a language that will appeal to its target audience without ever talking down. Parents can also learn a great deal about how to help their children understand the intricacies and wonders of the practical musician's art."--Leonard Slatkin, Music Director, National Symphony Orchestra
"Author Amy Nathan has compiled an accessible guidebook to help young people with some of the problems involved in learning a new instrument and sticking with it when things seem tough."--Richmond Parents Monthly
"Teens ... will appreciate this practical and candid book. Reading the book is like sitting down for a heart-to-heart with a caring music teacher.... Recommended."--The Book Report
Synopsis
This lively book can help young people with some of the hassles involved in learning an instrument. It is filled with practical tips from older teens and from professional musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, Paula Robinson, James Galway, Andre Watts, Joshua Bell, and Evelyn Glennie, who tell how they handled learning-an-instrument problems as kids--and how they deal with some of those same issues today.
Synopsis
Nathan offers advice on learning to play a musical instrument, including tips from teenage musicians about practicing, performing, and buying equipment. Illustrations.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 119) and index.
About the Author
Amy Nathan is the author of several books for children, including
The Kids' Allowance Book and
Surviving Homework. She is the mother of two budding teen musicians and has recently started taking piano lessons.