This book of parent-to-parent advice aims to encourage, support, and bolster the morale of one of music's most important back-up sections: music parents. Within these pages, more than 150 veteran music parents contribute their experiences, reflections, warnings, and helpful suggestions for how to walk the music-parenting tightrope: how to be supportive but not overbearing, and how to encourage excellence without becoming bogged down in frustration. Among those offering advice are the parents of several top musicians, including the mother of violinist Joshua Bell, the father of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, the parents of cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and those of violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. The book also features advice from music educators and more than forty professional musicians, including Paula Robison, Sarah Chang, Anthony McGill, Jennifer Koh, Jonathan Biss, Toyin Spellman-Diaz, Marin Alsop, Christian McBride, Miguel Zen?n, Stephanie Blythe, Lawrence Brownlee, Kelli O'Hara, as well as Joshua Bell, Alisa Weilerstein, Wynton Marsalis, Anne Akiko Meyers, and others. The topics they discuss span a wide range of issues faced by the parents of both instrumentalists and singers, from how to get started and encourage effective practice habits, to how to weather the rough spots, cope with the cost of music training, deal with college and career concerns, and help young musicians discover the role that music can play in their lives. The parents who speak here reach a unanimous and overwhelming conclusion that music parenting is well worth the effort, and the experiences that come with it - from sitting in on early lessons and watching their kids perform onstage to tagging along at music conventions as their youngsters try out instruments at exhibitors' booths - enrich family life with a unique joy in music.

Chapter 1: Parent-to-Parent-The Conversation BeginsTeam of AdvisorsProfile of the Advice PanelA Different Kind of Advice BookChapter 2: Music Parenting-the Why's and Worth of It"Opened Up a Vast New World"Strengthening Ties to Family and FriendsBuilding Life SkillsMusic's Impact on the Brain and LearningGood for All?Shifting GoalsChapter 3: Starting a Child's Musical JourneyPicking Up on the CluesKids Make the CallThe "Just Because" ApproachThe Age StoryAge Guidelines for Starting InstrumentsMusic-and-Movement ClassesSuzuki InstructionEl Sistema ProgramsMusic-Friendly HouseholdsMore Than MusicChapter 4: Helping Kids Choose an InstrumentPicking and SwitchingThe "Petting Zoo" ApproachPiano PowerThe Singing AdvantageSibling IssuesMulti-TaskersOther Issues to Keep in MindInstrument ShoppingFinding Financial HelpHigh-End LoanersShopping TipsBold ChoicesChapter 5: Finding TeachersThe All-Important First TeacherHaving a Private Teacher-or NotThe Independent Teacher OptionThe Music School RouteMeet and GreetTeacher SwitchingListen UpSwitching EtiquetteSitting In On Lessons-or NotInjury WatchSpecial Needs-Special PlanningCost ConcernsMore Teacher-Search StrategiesChapter 6: On SingingThe Anatomy of the Voice Lesson DebateLate-Start AdvocatesEarly-Start AdvocatesThe Middle ViewCommon GroundThe Choral AdvantageThe Instrument AdvantageFinding Voice TeachersWarning Signs of Vocal StressSwitching UpCross-Genre SingingDelivering a SongDifferent TimelinesChapter 7: Dealing with Time Issues in PracticingMany Routes to Regular PracticeFirst Step: Understanding WhyGetting to RegularLet Kids Take ResponsibilityHow Long to PracticeUsing Rewards-or NotThe Ten-Minute PlanFinessing the SchedulePositive Peer PressureEnsemble VolunteeringSummer Programs as Practice BoostersGrowing Into ItA GiftChapter 8: Fine-Tuning the Parent's Practice RoleIt's Not Easy Being a Highwire Artist"An Outside Pair of Eyes"A Fun StartMore Ways to Liven It UpPlay AroundThe No-Nonsense ApproachWhat to Say-or Not-as a Practice CoachTargeted CommentsDifferent Kids-Different StrategiesPractice-Not Just a Run-ThroughAn Assist from TechnologyGoing SoloListening CountsRole ModelsBeing ThereChapter 9: Managing the Ups and Downs"They'll Thank You"Strike a DealGive Them a BreakChange the MusicQuadruple PlayHelp with Plateau-ingMake It SocialGo to ConcertsSports IssuesLessen PerfectionismPerformance JittersCurve BallsLetting GoChapter 10: Getting SeriousA Different Stage of LearningThe Pre-college OptionPerforming Arts SchoolsSummer NetworkingStepping Up the EffortAcademic ChoicesHome- and Cyber-SchoolingKeeping Future Options OpenTo Lighten Up on Academics-or NotCutting Back on Extras-or NotAbout CompetitionsThe Upsides of CompetitionsThe DownsidesCompetition CopingWide-Ranging ExplorationComposition ExperienceGoing Pro-or NotTips for Going ProSibling StrainChapter 11: College and Career ConcernsFirst, the WorriesThe Teaching AnchorPlanning for "Plan B"A Rundown of the ChoicesResearching the OptionsChoosing a ConservatoryChoosing a University-based ConservatoryChoosing the College RouteThe Dual Degree OptionHit the Road-or NotFinancial AidAudition AdviceCreating OpportunitiesBeyond PerformingSpare-TimersCollege Wrap-upChapter 12: Moving OnSeeds SownNew RolesEnd NotesBibliographyResourcesAbout the Advice PanelAuthor's NoteAcknowledgments and Credits