Making time for making music - Amy Nathan

Are you a former music-maker who yearns to return to music, but aren't sure where to begin? Or are you a person who never played music as a child but you are now curious about trying? You're not alone. Many adults who used to play an instrument haven't touched it in years because either they can't find the time to practice, are afraid their skills are too rusty, or are unsure of what kind of group they could join. Others are afraid to sing or start playing aninstrument because they received negative feedback from childhood experiences. Performing, practicing, and composing music may seem like unattainable goals with insurmountable obstacles for busy adults with non-musical careers.Making Time for Making Music can help adults find ways to make music part of their lives. The first book of its kind, it is filled with real-life success stories from more than 350 adults who manage to fit music-making into their jam-packed schedules. They polished rusty skills, found musical groups to join, and are having a great time. Their testimonies prove that you are never too old to learn to make music, and that there are numerous musical paths to explore. Featuring advice fromdozens of music educators, health care professionals, and music researchers who point out that making music can even be good for your health, this book offers inspiration and tried-and-true strategies for anyone who wishes to return to music-making or begin as an adult.

Amy Nathan, an amateur pianist and choral singer, is an award-winning author of nonfiction books for adults and young people, including two music books for Oxford University Press: The Music Parents' Survival Guide: A Parent-to-Parent Conversation and The Young Musician's Survival Guide. Other books include: Meet the Musicians, Meet the Dancers, Round and Round Together, Yankee Doodle Gals, Count On Us, Take a Seat-Make A Stand, and The Kids' Allowance Book. Agraduate of Harvard with masters' degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Columbia's Teachers College, she is the mother of two musical sons: her older son is composer Eric Nathan; her younger son is a saxophone-playing political scientist.www.AmyNathanBooks.com

The soul of this work comes from the 441 adult amateur musicians who share their stories. . . Adult amateurs may just pick up some useful tips about practice, finding the right teacher, and techniques for dealing with stage fright, but perhaps the most useful of all, they'll find a sense of a wide vibrant community. It's never too late to pursue music on whatever terms you choose - and you certainly wont be alone on the journey.
Strings Magazine

I don't know of any other book that gives such a comprehensive picture of adult music making activities. Everything from rock bands to bands and orchestras is included. . . . You may very well pick up some new ideas. . . . One very good outcome of reading this book is that it might encourage you to take on a new musical activity-learn a new instrument or play with a new kind of group.
Roy Ernst, Founder, New Horizons Music

I don't know of any other book that gives such a comprehensive picture of adult music making activities. Everything from rock bands to bands and orchestras is included. . . . You may very well pick up some new ideas. . . . One very good outcome of reading this book is that it might encourage you to take on a new musical activity-learn a new instrument or play with a new kind of group.
Roy Ernst, Founder, New Horizons Music

Most adult musicians would find the book to be a breath of fresh air, an encouragement to their musical experience and a comfort to read about the adults' musical challenges and joys that may mirror their own. . . . Making Time for Making Music deserves a place on every educator's bookshelf, and certainly has the potential to influence, inspire and enhance many lives.
American Music Teacher

An inspirational guide. Readers can easily see how people of wide-ranging ages, backgrounds, and levels of musical expertise have found outlets for their creativity and passion ... Perfect for either novices or lapsed performers who want to embrace music but aren't sure how.
KIRKUS

Making Time for Making Music: How to Bring Music into Your Busy Life is packed with stories of adult musicians journeys back to music playing. Nathan's book tells of the benefits of music engagement as well as the many barriers that players overcome to enjoy playing music in adult life.
Jennifer Clarke, Associated Chamber Music Players

Amy Nathan once again opens up the world of music to make it more accessible to more people. This book, by focusing on real stories, challenges, and benefits adults have faced keeping and bringing music into their lives, demonstrates how music is for all - at any level, at any point in life. Makes me want to get my flute out!
Erika S. Floreska, Executive Director, Bloomingdale School of Music, NYC

Amy Nathan has written an engaging and lively book that strongly supports what millions of choral singers have learned: making music together makes our lives better. Making Time for Making Music will serve as great encouragement and a helpful resource to lifelong-learners who wish to enrich their lives through the awesome power of making music.
Catherine Dehoney, President and CEO, Chorus America