Musical Differences

Musical Differences is the first book to focus specifically on resolving conflict among those working in the music industry using an existential perspective to explore the interpersonal and psychological nature of conflict itself. It considers different ways of addressing conflict, compares litigation to the use of more creative methods such as mediation, and examines skills and strategies to prevent or resolve conflicts without resorting to a third party. As a mediator herself, the author presents a psychologically informed mediation approach through multiple case studies to illustrate how these techniques work in practice. By providing a route for taking musical disputes out of the long antagonistic litigation process, the book offers a way of dealing with conflict-based stress which has less negative impact on mental health and increases well-being while navigating a life in the industry. This book is written for practising musicians and those working in the music industry, as well as for students of music and readers with a general interest in the stresses and challenges of those involved in the music world.

Monica Hanaway is a mediator, psychotherapist, coach, consultant, trainer, and author with a global reputation for her work introducing an existential-phenomenological approach in new contexts such as the corporate and business world, as well as for her work with individual clients, many of whom are from within the creative and media industries.

Introduction Part 1: What We Mean by Conflict and Ways of Resolving It 1. What is Conflict and How Do We Address It? 2. Creative Conflict 3. The Nature of Conflict in the World of Music 4. Current Responses to Conflict in the Music Industry 5. Alternatives to Litigation: What Can Mediation, Coaching, and Consultancy Offer to Those in the Music Industry? Part 2: Case Examples of Mediation in Action Introduction to Part Two 6. Case Study 1 - The Producer: Creative Battles 7. Case Study 2 - The Stolen Equipment: Internal Rivalry 8. Case Study 3 - The Manager: Saying Goodbye to a Lifelong Friend 9. Case Study 4 - Physical Needs: Never Mind About the Mind, What About the Body? 10. Case Study 5 - Repertoire: To Be or Not to Be... Classical 11. Case Study 6 - Cultural and Gender Differences: So, We See Things Differently, No Surprise There 12. Case Study 7 - Name: Who Do You Think You Are? 13. Case Study 8 - Hot Wheels: What Kind of Object Do You See? Part 3: Ways to Prevent or Deescalate Conflict 14. Proactive Measures to Reduce or Deal with Conflict. Conclusion