Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents

Rating:
Summary: Raising Musical Kids
Review: Being a parent of 4 I have read many books on raising kids and this one is by far the best. Mr. Cutietta's stright foward approach is so refreshing compard to the sea of books that go on forever and never really tell you anything. This book has ways of raising kids without the hour a day of forcing your kid to pratice the piano. This book taught me most of what I knew about music education was wrong. This book is a MUST read for anyone with or without kids.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book
Review: Finally! A book for parents that explains the sometimes confusing world of music education. This book takes a parent through early childhood activities, choosing a private teacher, how to get you kid to practice, to understanding the expectations of high school music programs and careers in music. Well-written, research-based but easy to read, and illustrated with cartoons, this is a must for every parent interested in sharing their love of music with their children. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: aimed at parents, helpful for teachers too
Review: I'm not a parent, but I am a viola and violin teacher. Cutietta's advice in this book is based on a solid foundation of research and experience. If the parents of all of my students would ponder and take to heart the things clearly and accurately written here, they (and their children) would get much more bang for their buck out of the lessons I teach. I could teach more efficiently. Students would progress faster. Some large roadblocks I spend a great deal of time removing from my student's and parent's minds during their lessons would be removed (or at least whittled down to manageable size) before I encountered them, thus making music lessons more productive, joyful, and fulfilling, for everyone involved.

No previous knowledge of music, child psychology, or educational technique is required -- this book is well-written, straight-shooting counsel for parents, with insights that an older student interested in getting music lessons would also find helpful. This book is definitely going to get a permanent place on my short list of books recommended for my students (or their parents).