Suzuki method

[Bubblette]

I'm not sure if this post belongs here. So moderators, please feel free to move this post if it would be better somewhere else. Thanks!

I'm due with my first child in May. DH and I both agree that learning to play an instrument is something we wish we had pursued as children. That being said, we in no way want to push our children. The Suzuki method makes innate sense to me and I think we'll be interested in pursuing lessons once our children are an appropriate age.

We love listening to music, and it seems to me that playing the repertoires for the Suzuki method while the baby is little and a toddler would be an awesome way to incorporate more varied music into our lives as well as familiarize both the baby and us with the music.

We're not trying to force the issue. If nothing comes out of this and our child has no interest in music we won't be pushing. I all too well remember being forced to take dance lessons I hated because that's what little girls did.

I cannot seem to find lists online for the different repertoires... I can find books and with them CD recordings on amazon and such but really we're just interested in having some/most of the music on MP3 so we can play it in the house and car. Does anyone know where we can find resources since we're not looking for a teacher at this time?

[zeldamomma]

I think the only way to get the recordings is to buy the books. Having said that, I think listening to the recordings for years would drive you a little nuts. The music they play in the early years is simple and repetitive, and if you start with the program when your child is 3 (the earliest my dd's teacher would take a student) progress will be fairly slow initially, and you will have plenty of time to become familiar with the specific songs in the program.

The main song initially is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". You don't need the official recordings to have that on MP3.

ZM

[Fillyjonk]

;-) you know I actually quite like the recordings and my kids did too. They are simple tunes, tunefully played. Speaking as a Suzuki kid myself, these pieces become like old friends to the children, it is not only about them being familiar enough with them to play them by ear but also about motivating them to want to play them.

That said, I reckon the absolute best way of motivating your kids to learn an instrument is for YOU to play (or if you don't play, learn) something. I think my kids are mainly motivated to learn the violin because I play to them, almost daily, various folk fiddle ditties, and I do this because it is great fun for all concerned.

[moominmamma]

You can buy the CDs without the books. I agree with Fillyjonk (must be a moomin thing ) in that I find the recordings tuneful and well-played. I've listened to them for ten years of my childhood and 13 years (and counting) of my parenthood and I still like them.

For violin repertoire I would recommend the newly-released revised versions of the recordings, performed by William Preucil Jr.. The Suzuki repertoire and recordings are protected by copyright by Summy Birchard (now part of WB) that Dr. Suzuki gave exclusive North American copyright to fifty years ago. SB is vigorous in its protection of the copyright and slow to change. Hence I don't think you'll be finding the music on iTunes or via digital download any time soon.

Miranda

[moominmamma]

Oh, and a comprehensive list of repertoire for all the different instruments is available here.

Miranda

[jessicaSAR]

My kids are in a Suzuki guitar program and the repertoire is really lovely. I just buy the CDs and load them into Itunes.

[Bubblette]

Thank you ladies

While I agree that the best way for me to foster a love of music and a desire to play would be to play something myself I just don't have the time right now or money... I'd love lessons for myself - perhaps in a few years

[jessicaSAR]

Originally Posted by moominmamma

Oh, and a comprehensive list of repertoire for all the different instruments is available here.

Miranda

That list is not updated for all the instruments. There is an extensive guitar and bass repertoire that is not included.

[moominmamma]

Originally Posted by jessicaSAR

That list is not updated for all the instruments. There is an extensive guitar and bass repertoire that is not included.

Oops, you're right. The viola repertoire is out of date in the upper volumes too. Sorry. The violin repertoire is up-to-date, though.

Miranda

[Fillyjonk]

You know, I feel strongly enough about this that I'd prioritise lessons for myself over lessons for my kids, certainly until they were 5 or 6 or so.

oh and as for time-I used to practice with the baby of the moment in a sling on my back ;-). I am sure that that is VERY naughty, posture wise, and added to that I used a mute (shock!) because I was a bit worried about their ears. But it got me playing.

(seriously, if you think you do not have the resources at present to learn, I do respect that. But learning instruments as a family is one of the best things we've done. I think it makes it hugely more likely that the kids will want to learn-far more than just listening to a cd-because they get a model of how it is to learn an instrument, rather than just hearing the polished end product. They see how much fun it is and also how to get through the hurdles. Another side benefit, for us has been that we can play together-my kids' teacher simply doesn't have enough kids at their beginner level to do group lessons regularly, so it helps a lot that I can play with them. I also think it is SO much easier to help kids learn an instrument if you can play yourself, and the more of a headstart the better. With Suzuki you are broadly trying to help the learn to play in the same way they learn to speak, by surrounding them with the language-I don't think you could teach a baby to speak just from cd recordings)

Originally Posted by Bubblette

Thank you ladies

While I agree that the best way for me to foster a love of music and a desire to play would be to play something myself I just don't have the time right now or money... I'd love lessons for myself - perhaps in a few years

[PGTlatte]

You can get some of the CDs separate from the books at Amazon - just search "Suzuki CD". The violin school CDs are very nice !