What are instrumental lessons for? And why do so many students want to 'give up' when they have only just begun? These are just some of the questions examined in this thought-provoking and entertaining book, which draws on research and on the author's wealth of experience to encourage teachers to build upon the strengths of current practice. Instrumental Teaching is for both those who have been teaching for many years and those who are starting out. It focuses on learning by young people but also ranges more widely, and it relates to all teachers, wherever they teach. Janet Mills asks probing questions such as 'why teach?' - and 'why learn?' - and provides practical advice on subjects including 'the first lesson'. She addresses the thorny issue of practice, and explores myths such as the notion that some instruments require particular physical or personal attributes. This book will challenge and inspire anyone who is, or is thinking of becoming, an instrumental teacher.

About the Author
Dr Janet Mills began her career teaching music (and mathematics) in a comprehensive school in West Yorkshire. Subsequently, she was a teacher educator at Westminster College in Oxford and the University of Exeter. Her work as an HM Inspector of Schools included observation of more than 1000 instrumental lessons and the development and implementation - with instrumental teachers - of the first national system for inspecting Local Authority Instrumental Music Services. Along the way, she learnt violin and singing, and taught herself to play several other instruments. Janet Mills was a Research Fellow at the Royal College of Music in London and in 2004 won a National Teaching Fellowship. She wrote Music in the School (2005), Music in the Primary School (1991), and many articles in books, magazines, and research journals.

Reviews
This thought-provoking book . . . offers constructive advice to teachers about how to communicate with students . . . Less experienced teachers, in particular, will find much useful practical advice here, and all teachers will be given plenty of opportunity to evaluate their methods. * Nathaniel Vallois, The Strad December 08 *
Readers will find Mills's lucid, frank presentation of facts - as well as her conclusions - revealing and at times alarming. . . this is an extremely useful compendium on this under-researched subject. * International Piano July 08 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780193359086
Author Janet Mills
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 364g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 155mm * 10mm