Therapeutic Guitar Method Helps Teach Students With Special Needs

Alfred Music Publishing, in partnership with National Guitar Workshop, releases Therapeutic Guitar, a comprehensive resource for therapists and guitar teachers of students with special learning needs, written by board-certified music therapist Dr. Robert E. Krout.

Therapeutic Guitar is an innovative guitar method designed and extensively field-tested for students with unique learning and lifestyle needs. Music therapists, child life specialists, special education teachers, music teachers, camp counselors, and anyone working with people who have medical, emotional, and behavioral disorders will be met with sound methodology and principles for working with special needs students. Features include a page-by-page teacher’s guide with tips and pointers for every page, lessons in basic guitar technique, therapeutic session activities, songs to learn and play, a CD that demonstrates all the examples in the book, and information on working with special-needs learners.

The unique method book provides suggested therapeutic activities while teaching basic strumming, chords, and fun tunes for a deeper, meaningful student/teacher interaction. The book was designed to impart a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, and self-worth to the student, all while highlighting the therapeutic benefits of guitar playing.

Robert E. Krout

Dr. Robert E. Krout is the professor and director of music therapy at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, where he was named the SMU Meadows School of the Arts Distinguished Teaching Professor for 2010-2011. He received his bachelor of music degree from Ithaca College, and his master of arts, master of education, and doctor of education degrees in music therapy, special education, and music education from Columbia University. He is the author of numerous articles and books about using guitar with students who have special needs. Robert has released several CDs and songbooks, and has been interviewed about his music therapy songwriting in Grammy and Acoustic Guitar magazines.

As part of Alfred’s ongoing commitment to improving the environment, this book is printed on 100% recycled paper.

Therapeutic Guitar Book & CD (00-35025) is now available for $19.99 at music retail stores and at alfred.com/guitar.