Music and Dyslexia: Opening New Doors [Paperback]

Tim Miles (Author), John Westcombe (Author), T. R. Miles (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1861562055 | ISBN-13: 978-1861562050 | Publication Date: March 2001 | Edition: 2

It is now recognised that dyslexia affects people’s lives in all sorts of different ways. This book shows how some dyslexics can be highly gifted musicians. It is important, however, that they should not be put off from studying music just because - at least in the early stages - many of them find it difficult to read and remember the symbols of musical notation.

The foreword is by Baroness Mary Warnock. 10 of the 21 contributors to the book are themselves dyslexic. Each relates their personal experiences (whether as amateurs or professionals) and in most cases their eventual success. The other contributors are teachers or researchers who have wide experiences of dyslexic musicians of all ages.

The book’s message is one of optimism. Dyslexic musicians can succeed provided only that they are given sufficient encouragement and understanding.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

It is now recognised that dyslexia affects people’s lives in all sorts of different ways. This book shows how some dyslexics can be highly gifted musicians. It is important, however, that they should not be put off from studying music just because - at least in the early stages - many of them find it difficult to read and remember the symbols of musical notation.

The foreword is by Baroness Mary Warnock. 10 of the 21 contributors to the book are themselves dyslexic. Each relates their personal experiences (whether as amateurs or professionals) and in most cases their eventual success. The other contributors are teachers or researchers who have wide experiences of dyslexic musicians of all ages.

The book’s message is one of optimism. Dyslexic musicians can succeed provided only that they are given sufficient encouragement and understanding.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861562055
• ISBN-13: 978-1861562050
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,359,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming Musical Roadblocks due to Dyslexic Tendencies, January 14, 2002

By 

Kelly Phillips (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Music and Dyslexia: Opening New Doors (Paperback)

Do you play a musical Instrument but are struggling to learn how to read musical notation? That was the case with my daughter and myself for that matter, (But I don't play an instrument yet) After a year and a half of playing the Harp my daughter couldn't figure out the Theory part. It didn't hit me until I realized that after my helping her for the past 1 1/2 yrs. that I couldn't "get it" either. After searching the Internet for hours and hours I came to the conclusion that we both have Dyslexic Tendencies. This is the only Book that I could find on the subject. If you play an Instrument and you have difficulty learning to read music this Book has a lot of answers.

Here is the Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 - The Manifestations of Dyslexia, its biological bases, and its effects on daily living.
Chapter 2- how dyslexia can affect musicians
Chapter 3- Dyslexia and musical development
Chapter 4 through 19- Personal stories about Dyslexic Musicians
Chapter 20- a multi-sensory approach to the teaching of musical notation.
Chapter 21- Gathering the threads
Appendix I- Recognizing the dyslexic child-notes for parents and teachers.
Appendix II- Checklist of dyslexic symptoms in adults.

I feel the first 4 chapters alone are worth getting the book for. Having someone explain Their Theory on Music and Dyslexia in a nutshell was very enlightening.
In Chapter 20- The Author has developed a method he calls 'Colour Staff' for learning to read Music. Interestingly enough I have developed my own variation of the same idea with using color.

After reading his idea and comparing it to mine, I like mine better. I created a 'Grand Staff' on a Word Processor and using Colored Notes I have been writing Music "In Color" for 6 Months. And guess what, IT WORKED! My daughter can read music now, and no longer has to memorize the songs she learns. I'm considering writing some sort of booklet on My Colored Notes Theory, and possibly a Web Site in the future...I hope this information helps you in your search for finding new ways of Learning to read Music. ....

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Case studies with minimal direction, November 8, 2007

By 

sadie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music and Dyslexia: Opening New Doors (Paperback)

I was hoping this book would explain methods through which musicians are able to overcome their learning issues. Mainly a group of case studies, this book offers hope and inspiration to those who struggle in understanding and applying music theory and technique. However, the book was short on strategies and specifics in explaining how to "open new doors."