Ok I couldn't for the life of me work out where to post this, so sorry if its in the wrong place.
My kids have been learning violin for around 18 months and around 3 months, with the only Suzuki teacher within any reasonable driving distance.
I'm having problems with her. On a personal level I find her pretty rude and fussy, bascially. Importantly, when there is a problem there is no real opportunity for discussion, the lessons are very rushed and not relaxed at all.
There is NO local Suzuki group and very very few group lessons.
She's been extremely rude to me on the phone when a family emergency meant I needed to cancel (with actually 3 days notice).
I'm also feeling quite unhappy about the way she's interpreting the Suzuki method. The big problem is, i think, perhaps that my kids were a little older than "ideal" when they started: 6 and 5. They both really like the violin, and will practice, but are champing at the bit to learn other pieces, especially the (now) 7 year old, who hears a wide range of music. She will keep them on the same pieces going over and over and making it perfect, which just isn't working for them. Especially my 7 year old, he has taught himself to read music and is off playing the pieces ahead in the book and sightreading a load of other stuff and she just won't support him in this, its kind of almost like he's disobeying her. Its getting to the stage where I think he's losing respect for her. But its also ridiculous, this child is sightreading and working music out by ear and actually I think could use some guidance on this. He needs more breadth. He'll practice 2 hours straight but not Allegretto ;-) . I've spoken with her about this and she bascially won't budge. I'd like him to try out for the local kids orchestra (you have to audition round here if you are homeschooled, as he is, but the bar is low), she keeps putting us off.
There is such a difference between how my kids approach piano and how they approach violin. For piano they have an enthusiastic teacher with high standards and expectations-I NEVER have to ask them to practice, they are at the piano every morning. Violin, he'll do if I acompany him, or if he gets into it and is looking at other tunes. Plus, I notice when they've gone a week or two without a violin lesson they are back getting the violins out and making up songs and working out tunes and so on.
I do feel a little as well that Suzuki might not be so good for my kids just because they are very mathematical/mechanical and LOVE things like theory books to a freakish extent. Also, tbh, they can read music perfectly well as they both play piano, so i wonder if its too late anyway?
So why on earth am I with her still? A big big reason why we are still with her is that my kids do like her, and I'm confident they are actually getting a solid musical start. I grew up learning Suzuki violin, I think if done sensitively its a wonderful method.
What do I do? I suppose I'm really saying, is there any point staying with this teacher long term? Or do I need to accept that Suzuki isn't going to work for my family at this point in time?
All thoughts welcome!
My kids have been learning violin for around 18 months and around 3 months, with the only Suzuki teacher within any reasonable driving distance.
I'm having problems with her. On a personal level I find her pretty rude and fussy, bascially. Importantly, when there is a problem there is no real opportunity for discussion, the lessons are very rushed and not relaxed at all.
There is NO local Suzuki group and very very few group lessons.
She's been extremely rude to me on the phone when a family emergency meant I needed to cancel (with actually 3 days notice).
I'm also feeling quite unhappy about the way she's interpreting the Suzuki method. The big problem is, i think, perhaps that my kids were a little older than "ideal" when they started: 6 and 5. They both really like the violin, and will practice, but are champing at the bit to learn other pieces, especially the (now) 7 year old, who hears a wide range of music. She will keep them on the same pieces going over and over and making it perfect, which just isn't working for them. Especially my 7 year old, he has taught himself to read music and is off playing the pieces ahead in the book and sightreading a load of other stuff and she just won't support him in this, its kind of almost like he's disobeying her. Its getting to the stage where I think he's losing respect for her. But its also ridiculous, this child is sightreading and working music out by ear and actually I think could use some guidance on this. He needs more breadth. He'll practice 2 hours straight but not Allegretto ;-) . I've spoken with her about this and she bascially won't budge. I'd like him to try out for the local kids orchestra (you have to audition round here if you are homeschooled, as he is, but the bar is low), she keeps putting us off.
There is such a difference between how my kids approach piano and how they approach violin. For piano they have an enthusiastic teacher with high standards and expectations-I NEVER have to ask them to practice, they are at the piano every morning. Violin, he'll do if I acompany him, or if he gets into it and is looking at other tunes. Plus, I notice when they've gone a week or two without a violin lesson they are back getting the violins out and making up songs and working out tunes and so on.
I do feel a little as well that Suzuki might not be so good for my kids just because they are very mathematical/mechanical and LOVE things like theory books to a freakish extent. Also, tbh, they can read music perfectly well as they both play piano, so i wonder if its too late anyway?
So why on earth am I with her still? A big big reason why we are still with her is that my kids do like her, and I'm confident they are actually getting a solid musical start. I grew up learning Suzuki violin, I think if done sensitively its a wonderful method.
What do I do? I suppose I'm really saying, is there any point staying with this teacher long term? Or do I need to accept that Suzuki isn't going to work for my family at this point in time?
All thoughts welcome!
I think the Suzuki method can be really wonderful, and (taught by the right teacher) could be a great fit with your ds. But I guess that doesn't help, does it, when she's the only teacher near to you guys. Hmmm.
