Courtney Crappeli's Article 'Making Music Lessons Attractive Again'

Joshua Valencia
Dr. Miles Ishigaki
Music 9
23 October 2017
“Making Music Lessons Attractive Again”
In Courtney Crappeli’s article, “Making Music Lessons Attractive Again”, the topic of how music teachers and instructors plan to make students interested in taking and pursuing music lessons is introduced. He states, “a successful product will result in no worries in one’s business”, along with its correspondence to the music world. He adds three main points why people tend to quit taking and pursuing music: money situations, it’s too complex and discouraging, and people have had bad experiences in public performances. To each point, he provides an example or explanation on how these situations are overcome. He mentions the story of a woman
Crappeli uses different factors to strengthen his point in an understandable and enjoyable way and get his message through. His theme, to start off, is that music lessons can be made “attractive” again. It depends on how music teachers or instructors decide to teach their students in regards to making lessons essential and enjoyable. His theme is drawn out by three points: financial problems, music lessons tend to be too hard and discouraging, and bad experiences in public performances. His audience seems to be students, particularly those who have had some sort of music experience or background. He directly targets students who quit taking music lessons or music in general due to issues mentioned in his three
He states, "answering this question effectively requires mastery of our craft, but it will help us make lessons truly attractive" (Crappeli 3). After concluding the article, Crappeli doesn’t add any contradictory statements to those against his views, nor any suggestions to what the audience shall do. He does, however, add suggestions on what music teachers should do, which is interesting and uncommon as persuasive articles tend to convince the reader and audience to take matters into their own hands. Therefore, one can agree with his message because his statements seem to be true. Money, discouragement and public performance are three big reasons yet can be overcome through solutions. Practice, aspiration, and so forth have been factors to help students obtain a love for music. Overall, his points remain well-presented by his overall statement and supporting examples. Crappeli is trying to get music teachers to really consider his points as students have shown to be taking less interest in taking and pursuing music. The article may not have a great influence on the general public, but it can be used as a wake-up call to current and former musicians to continue taking music lessons despite the