The Young Musician's Survival Guide: Tips from Teens and Pros
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Offers advice on the challenges involved in learning to play a musical instrument, including tips from teenage musicians and professional musicians about practicing, performing, and buying equipment. This lively, accessible book helps young people cope with the difficulties involved in learning a new instrument and remaining dedicated to playing and practicing. Teens from renowned music programs - including the Juilliard School's Pre-College Program and Boston University's Tanglewood Institute - join pro musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Paula Robison, and James Galway in offering practical answers to questions from what instrument to play to where the musical road may lead. In this revised and expanded edition, Amy Nathan has updated the book to address today's more technologically-minded young musician. Expanded sections cover the various ways students can use technology to assist in mastering an instrument and in making practice time more productive, from using the Internet to download pieces to be learned and playing along with downloaded tunes to practicing with computer-based practice programs, CDs, and videos/DVDs of musical performances. She also addresses concerns of young composers and conductors, two groups not mentioned in the original edition. The book's updated Resource Guide suggests where to get additional help, both online and off.
Age
10-18
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What inspired you the most about the stories from the teen musicians in the book?
How do you feel about the advice given by professional musicians in the book? Can you see yourself applying any of their tips to your music practice or daily life?
What challenges do you think you might face in your musical journey and how do you plan to overcome them?
Which musician’s journey in the book do you relate to the most and why?
If you had the opportunity to ask a professional musician any question, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Initiate a conversation by sharing a personal story related to music or learning an instrument, this could make the discussion more relatable.
Encourage your child to think about how the challenges faced by the musicians can apply to other areas of life, such as school or sports.
Post-discussion, suggest that your child writes down two pieces of advice from the book that they found particularly useful, and hang it in their practice area.
Ask your child to pick their favorite musician from the book and explore more about them together online or in other books.
Reinforce that setbacks and challenges are part of learning and growing, not just in music, but in life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book features firsthand accounts from young musicians who discuss their challenges and how they overcame them.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by continuing to practice their own skills or hobbies, even when they face difficulties.
Example Lesson: Time Management
Explanation: Advice from professional musicians on efficiently managing practice time alongside school and personal commitments is shared.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of organizing their time wisely, balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and relaxation.
Example Lesson: Accepting Constructive Criticism
Explanation: Pros share insights on the importance of embracing feedback to improve musical skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to view criticism as a valuable tool for personal growth, not just in music, but in all learning and social scenarios.
Example Lesson: Collaboration
Explanation: The book highlights the significance of playing in ensembles and learning to work effectively with others.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes teamwork skills, emphasizing that collaboration can lead to achieving greater goals, applicable in group studies and team sports.
Example Lesson: Passion and Motivation
Explanation: Tales of how passion drove young musicians to pursue their craft inspire readers.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to discover and pursue what they love, understanding that dedication to a passion can be deeply rewarding.