The Music Parents' Survival Guide: A Parent-to-Parent Conversation

Contents

• Chapter 1: Parent-to-Parent-The Conversation Begins
• Team of Advisors
• Profile of the Advice Panel
• A Different Kind of Advice Book
• Chapter 2: Music Parenting-the Why's and Worth of It
• Opened Up a Vast New World
• Strengthening Ties to Family and Friends
• Building Life Skills
• Music's Impact on the Brain and Learning
• Good for All?
• Shifting Goals
• Chapter 3: Starting a Child's Musical Journey
• Picking Up on the Clues
• Kids Make the Call
• The Just Because Approach
• The Age Story
• Age Guidelines for Starting Instruments
• Music-and-Movement Classes
• Suzuki Instruction
• El Sistema Programs
• Music-Friendly Households
• More Than Music
• Chapter 4: Helping Kids Choose an Instrument
• Picking and Switching
• The Petting Zoo Approach
• Piano Power
• The Singing Advantage
• Sibling Issues
• Multi-Taskers
• Other Issues to Keep in Mind
• Instrument Shopping
• Finding Financial Help
• High-End Loaners
• Shopping Tips
• Bold Choices
• Chapter 5: Finding Teachers
• The All-Important First Teacher
• Having a Private Teacher-or Not
• The Independent Teacher Option
• The Music School Route
• Meet and Greet
• Teacher Switching
• Listen Up
• Switching Etiquette
• Sitting In On Lessons-or Not
• Injury Watch
• Special Needs-Special Planning
• Cost Concerns
• More Teacher-Search Strategies
• Chapter 6: On Singing
• The Anatomy of the Voice Lesson Debate
• Late-Start Advocates
• Early-Start Advocates
• The Middle View
• Common Ground
• The Choral Advantage
• The Instrument Advantage
• Finding Voice Teachers
• Warning Signs of Vocal Stress
• Switching Up
• Cross-Genre Singing
• Delivering a Song
• Different Timelines
• Chapter 7: Dealing with Time Issues in Practicing
• Many Routes to Regular Practice
• First Step: Understanding Why
• Getting to Regular
• Let Kids Take Responsibility
• How Long to Practice
• Using Rewards-or Not
• The Ten-Minute Plan
• Finessing the Schedule
• Positive Peer Pressure
• Ensemble Volunteering
• Summer Programs as Practice Boosters
• Growing Into It
• A Gift
• Chapter 8: Fine-Tuning the Parent's Practice Role
• It's Not Easy Being a Highwire Artist
• An Outside Pair of Eyes
• A Fun Start
• More Ways to Liven It Up
• Play Around
• The No-Nonsense Approach
• What to Say-or Not-as a Practice Coach
• Targeted Comments
• Different Kids-Different Strategies
• Practice-Not Just a Run-Through
• An Assist from Technology
• Going Solo
• Listening Counts
• Role Models
• Being There
• Chapter 9: Managing the Ups and Downs
• They'll Thank You
• Strike a Deal
• Give Them a Break
• Change the Music
• Quadruple Play
• Help with Plateau-ing
• Make It Social
• Go to Concerts
• Sports Issues
• Lessen Perfectionism
• Performance Jitters
• Curve Balls
• Letting Go
• Chapter 10: Getting Serious
• A Different Stage of Learning
• The Pre-college Option
• Performing Arts Schools
• Summer Networking
• Stepping Up the Effort
• Academic Choices
• Home- and Cyber-Schooling
• Keeping Future Options Open
• To Lighten Up on Academics-or Not
• Cutting Back on Extras-or Not
• About Competitions
• The Upsides of Competitions
• The Downsides
• Competition Coping
• Wide-Ranging Exploration
• Composition Experience
• Going Pro-or Not
• Tips for Going Pro
• Sibling Strain
• Chapter 11: College and Career Concerns
• First, the Worries
• The Teaching Anchor
• Planning for Plan B
• A Rundown of the Choices
• Researching the Options
• Choosing a Conservatory
• Choosing a University-based Conservatory
• Choosing the College Route
• The Dual Degree Option
• Hit the Road-or Not
• Financial Aid
• Audition Advice
• Creating Opportunities
• Beyond Performing
• Spare-Timers
• College Wrap-up
• Chapter 12: Moving On
• Seeds Sown
• New Roles
• End Notes
• Bibliography
• Resources
• About the Advice Panel
• Author's Note
• Acknowledgments and Credits