Music and dyslexia is of particular interest for two reasons. Firstly, research suggests that music education can benefit young dyslexics as it helps them focus on auditory and motor timing skills and highlights the rhythms of language. Secondly, dyslexic musicians at a more advanced level face particular challenges such as sight-reading, written requirements of music examinations and extreme performance nerves.

This is a sequel to the highly successful Music and Dyslexia: Opening New Doors, published in 2001.   The field of dyslexia has developed rapidly, particularly in the area of neuropsychology. Therefore this book focuses on these research advances, and draws out the aspects of music education that benefit young dyslexics. The contributors also discuss the problems that dyslexic musicians face, and several chapters are devoted to sight-reading and specific strategies that dyslexics can use to help them sight-read.  

The book offers practical techniques and strategies, to teachers and parents to help them work with young dyslexics and dyslexic musicians.

This book is a sequel to the highly successful and insightful Music and Dyslexia -- Opening New Doors. It takes up some of the themes mentioned in the earlier book, including sight-reading and the problems of mastering musical notation. The positive approach to dyslexia advocated by the contributors reflects their experience over many years and will be an encouragement alike to dyslexic musicians and their teachers.

The book has four sections.  The first section, tackling problems, explains what dyslexia is, describes some of the developmental differences of which teachers and others need to be aware and outlines some of the circumstances which may cause problems for dyslexics that are not obvious at first glance.  The second section, in and around the classroom, looks at significant aspects of teaching and learning music in the pupil's life.  Early years, winning over reluctant musicians, musical games to play in the language classroom, sight-reading and what role computers can play are all discussed, with practical ideas and suggestions for the teacher.

The third section looks at strategies and successes.  It embraces both the maturing voice and oboes as well as links between acknowledged early precepts and advice given at a critical period of a student's life in Higher Education.  The final section looks at the neurological aspect of dyslexia, focusing on the newest research in brain imaging to expand our knowledge of what the brain is doing while music is being engaged in.

Music and Dyslexia - A Positive Approach increases understanding and imaginatively challenges the difficulties those with dyslexia and their teachers' encounter whilst positively urging all to enjoy music's pleasures.