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Practicing For Young Musicians: You Are Your Own Teacher

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Is "practicing" a dirty word? One camp would have you avoid the "P" word because of its negative connotations. However in his book, Practicing for Young Musicians, Dr. Snitkin states, "You practice to improve technical skills and musicianship. Practicing is playing with a purpose."

This book is addressed to young musicians. It is written on an upper-elementary level with examples and logic that children can relate to. Specific suggestions are given to help the child use his practice time wisely and to increase his musicianship. The student realizes that it is up to him to get the most from his practice time; he is responsible for his own progress.

In reading this book, I kept thinking that this philosophy of being responsible for one's own progress applies in all areas, especially education. The author concluded along the same line when he wrote, "What you've learned isn't limited to music. You've learned to use your time wisely... Most of all, as your own teacher, you've learned to take the responsibility for your own learning and development. In short, you've gained the satisfaction and confidence that come from a job well done." Dr. Snitkin has done his job well in motivating and educating the student to become a better musician. --Penny Gardner, author of Nine-Note Recorder Method

This book is great for motivation for the students.... I really liked how it gave ideas that can be put into kid language, which helped my teaching.

Harvey R. Snitkin is a musician, music educator, and a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for the Grammy Awards. Now in his newly revised and significantly expanded edition of Practicing For Young Musicians: You Are Your Own Teacher, Snitkin provides a new generation of aspiring young musicians a superbly presented, "user friendly" guide to self-directed musical study. Basic teaching tips, simple exercises, and sound advice for budding musicians of all skill levels fill this motivational book which is very highly recommended for young people wanting better their own musical skills. Also highly recommended for the serious music student and the dedicated performer is Harvey Snitkin's companion book: Practice Planner: A Journal Of Goals And Progress (1888732105, [...]).