Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents [Paperback]

Robert A. Cutietta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0195129237 | ISBN-13: 978-0195129236

Does music make kids smarter? At what age should a child begin music lessons? Where should you purchase an instrument? What should parents expect from a child's teachers and lessons? Raising Musical Kids answers these and many other questions as it covers everything from assembling a listening library for kids, to matching a child's personality with an instrument's personality, to finding musical resources in your community. Knowing that children can--and usually do--get most of their music education within the public school system, the author explores at length the features and benefits of elementary and secondary school programs, and shows how parents can make the schools work for them and their children. Throughout, Cutietta emphasizes the joy of participating in music for its own sake. Raising Musical Kids is a book that parents everywhere will treasure as a complete road map for developing their child's musical abilities.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"Musical children are not born they are raised," writes Cutietta (director, Sch. of Music and Dance, Univ. of Arizona), and here he provides practical and insightful instruction, both research- and experience-based, on how to encourage children to appreciate and participate in music. Chapters cover everything from creating a musical home environment and finding a good private teacher to careers in music and community resources. In a parent-friendly way, Cutietta continually reiterates his opening premise: raising musical children is a conscious activity. "It is easier now to be a musical nurturing parent than at any other time," he says, and to back up that assertion he provides useful appendixes to suggest additional resources for a child's music education. This volume compares very favorably with Wilma Machover and Marienne Uszler's Sound Choices: Guiding Your Child's Musical Experiences (LJ 9/1/96), which is organized by age but covers much of the same material. Like that earlier book, Cutietta's will be one that parents refer to again and again. An authoritative addition for parenting collections in all public libraries. Janet Brewer, Murray State Univ., KY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Cutietta's book will be one that parents refer to again and again. An authoritative addition for parenting collections."--Library Journal (starred review)

"Conveys excellent guidelines and support for parents of musical children. It also offers thought to parents who are uncertain of their child's ability or serious musical interest, as well as giving insight into the child who is sensitive and creative."--Sara McFerrin, Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College and mother of Bobby McFerrin

"Cutietta writes as if he were having a conversation with some parents. He avoids jargon and makes concepts easy to understand.... Parents are in constant search for answers to their questions about music learning for their children. This type of book has been needed for a long time."--Janet Montgomery, Associate Professor, University of Colorado at Boulder

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195129237
• ISBN-13: 978-0195129236
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid advice, April 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents (Hardcover)

As a professional musician I was prepared to totally hate this book. I was pleasantly surprised at the good solid advice this book offers. I am not a fan of the Suzuki method. I've walked out of many children's music programs embarassed at how poor the quality of the performance was. Then I had my own child, and even though I am a professional musician I had no idea how to raise my own musical child. My parents didn't have any answers, they happened to make me a musician all by accident. Whatever your goals and motivations for exposing your child to music this is a good book to get you started in the right direction.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars aimed at parents, helpful for teachers too, January 28, 2005

By 

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This review is from: Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents (Paperback)

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).

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, October 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Raising Musical Kids: A Guide for Parents (Hardcover)

I have three children, ages 2-8, and I was given this book by my mom. As you can imagine, I have little time to read, but this book was so easy to read that I finished it in a few weeks of my spare time. Even the way the author explains the research behind the book is fascinating.

I have started doing many of the things suggested in the book and not only are they fun, but I can see my children starting to respond to music in a more sensitive and deep way.

This is an amazing book. Worlds better than most of the books for parents I have read.