Suzuki method of music

[BoobyJuice]

A little background. I don't post here often because my oldest is only 4. I am planning on hsing - when I don't panic and think that I have 3 small children and no time We have been unschooling so far - just discussing whatever comes up, reading books he's interested in, etc. I just heard about Suzuki method of music. Don't know anything about it and was wondering if anyone can tell me about it. What is it? Pros and cons? Do you like it? etc? Just thought we might add alittle bit of structure to our learning.

Thanks!

[alegna]

I grew up playing suzuki violin and loved it. That said, there are some programs and teachers with suzuki that are SUPER pushy. Mine wasn't. In fact I'm thinking about seeing if she'll teach my dd in a few years

My best advice is to check around what teachers and programs are available in your area and talk to moms who use them. See what the general feel is. Find someone who is a good match for you and your child/children as parents are expected to be very involved in the process (a good companion to homeschooling IMO)

-Angela

[annettemarie]

My son is taking Suzuki cello.
Suzuki is very incremental. He has been playing almost a year and still isn't playing "Twinkle, Twinkle" yet. As a music teacher, it is very hard for me to trust the process and let the teacher do the teaching. Michael, who will be six in a week, loves it. A cello is a little more expensive and harder to find than a violin. Katie Grace will probably be doing violin. It's a bit time-consuming (you listen to the music every day, and practice) and parents are very involved (going to a lesson and taking notes) which is tough with younger kids. We actually schedule M. lesson on dh's day off, so he can take him. It is a method that is very respectful of the child, and very developmentally appropriate, IMO. It is also somewhat expensive ($12 a lesson, plus $5 twice a month for group lessons- and she gives us a break because she's a pastor's wife too and knows what it's like!) It sounds like I am listing more negatives than positives (cost, structure, time, etc) but we really are happy with it
Annette

[Linda KS]

about the costs -- we do traditional violin lessons and the cost is about the same. Either way you also need to add in the price of the instrument or rental of an instrument, plus a book or two and most likely a CD. Either way you need to be able to help your child practice every day.

[annettemarie]

We actually bought an eighth size cello from ebay- it was cheaper than renting, the quality is fine (Suzuki teacher approved!) and we'll be able to resell it when we are done.
We bought two books (student book and the accompaniment book for me to play the piano with him- not a neccessity, but nice) and the CD.
Annette

[Jessviola]

I'm a violin/viola teacher. I teach both Suzuki and Traditional methods. I think it's a great method for children especially. It emphasizes listening, memorization and parental involvement. The listening really helps the students develop their ears and makes it easier for them to learn the tunes and rhythms before they can read the music. The parental involvement is key too because with the parents' help with practice at home, the child will learn quicker and is less likely to develop bad habits.

Finding a teacher that's right for you and your child is the most important thing. You need someone who will encourage your child and make it fun for them but who enforces proper playing position, bow position, intonation, etc. Getting a good solid start is so important and saves frustration from having to break bad habits later on. Flexibility and the ability to personalize the lesson for each individual helps a lot too.

Some places make you sign on for a huge time and money commitment up front, like parents attending lessons first, and are a bit overwhelming to many. Of course if you put in that level of commitment, you're most likely going to see good results, but many people just don't have the time or money. You can get just as good or better lessons from the right private teacher.

As for cost, I have to say that around here the prices mentioned earlier are unheard of cheap for any type of music lessons. Also I tend to move a bit faster in my lessons and get them started on twinkles within the first few lessons (usually second) This is my personal preference because of the steep learning curve associated with starting stringed instruments (bow hold, posture, finger placement, etc) and it keeps the students excited. This of course is not at the expense of correct posture and bow hold I am not an officially certified Suzuki instructor, but I grew up on the Suzuki method and am very familiar with it.

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to ask I feel like this post is a little disjointed :LOL

[annettemarie]

I'm glad you posted! Like I said, our teacher cuts us a break on the price...

I do have a couple questions, actually.

Do you think the difference in speed is violin vs. cello? It's been hard for me not to think "We're spending all this money and he's not even twinkling yet!"

Do you have trouble with "musical parents"? It's been really difficult for me to give my guy over to a method that I'm not all that familiar with...

Annette

[Jessviola]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Do you think the difference in speed is violin vs. cello? It's been hard for me not to think "We're spending all this money and he's not even twinkling yet!"

I don't really think that's the difference. Maybe I could make a guess if you tell me what does he do in his lessons?

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Do you have trouble with "musical parents"? It's been really difficult for me to give my guy over to a method that I'm not all that familiar with...

Annette

I don't have a problem with musical parents at all In fact I love them because they're so helpful with the practicing I've never really butted heads with anyone either because I let them choose the method and kind of mold the instruction to fit the child. Have you read any books about Suzuki Method? That might help you understand it and get more familiar with it and help you decide whether it's right for your ds.

[catgirl]

Speaking as a violinist/violin teacher (traditional but moving more towards Suzuki) and Suzuki piano Mom - ITA with everything Jess said!

Check out different teachers and studios. Ask to observe and see where you feel most comfortable. Price will vary according to where you live. I'm paying a LOT for my ds's piano lessons (even more than I charge, and I'm certainly not cheap, LOL) but it's worth every penny.

HSers are well suited to Suzuki - we're very involved anyway!

[michelle1k]

We are huge fans of the Suzuki-method!

Another shameless plug for Suzuki

My son (who will be 7 in a couple of months) started playing violin in September and is already halfway through the first CD / book. This to me, is remarkable - I put it down to him having a good ear and a willingness to work hard at it, *but* his teacher also happens to be absolutely phenomenal. He is so kind, gentle, respectful, encouraging, warm, loving, gosh, I really could go on. I'm sure not *all* Suzuki teachers are equally amazing (although it would be nice to think they are!), but the method itself is so respectful of how children learn. Dr. Suzuki was himself an amazing man (read "Nurtured by Love") and had a huge love of and respect for children.

Another plus is that I am learning to play by ear alongside my son, and after years of barely touching an instrument (had beginner piano lessons as a child - gave it up for various reasons) I am loving making music again and slowly overcoming my musical "blocks", one by one.

Warmly,
Michelle in NY

[Jessviola]

Originally Posted by michelle1k

Another plus is that I am learning to play by ear alongside my son, and after years of barely touching an instrument (had beginner piano lessons as a child - gave it up for various reasons) I am loving making music again and slowly overcoming my musical "blocks", one by one.

That's another great benefit, many of the parents also pick up a lot through helping their child practice and several have even gone out and gotten themselves instruments because they were having so much fun.

[mandib50]

my daughter started suzuki piano when she was 4. man that first year i don't remember twinkling either!! whew. but my daughter really didn't care at all, she was so ecstatic to be able to PLAY! her teacher is very patient and very good with the kids, i felt the money was well worth it just because my experience of having a piano teacher scream and yell at me regularly does not help encourage a love of music. to see my daughter's eyes light up when she played was worth the money, every penny. this year though, she's really taking off and we're up to french children's song. i'm happy but mostly because my daughter loves playing.

mandi

[annettemarie]

At Michael's lessons they do bow exercises, finger exercises, fingerboard exercises, posture exercises. He "plucks" a song about ants digging in the dirt going underground all the way to china to help him learn the names of the strings. He's starting to acually bow a song about flowers to get him ready to twinkle.

He has had to spend a lot of time getting used to the cello bow- it's heavy for a little guy! He actually had a dowel rod "bow" first. His favorite part about cello- rosin. We actually had to look up different types, he was so curious!

[musician/mom]

Hello everyone,

I couldn't let this thread go without comment!
I began as a Suzuki student when I was 4, have been teaching Suzuki for 21 years, and my Masters degree is in Performance with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy. Plus I am now teaching my 5 yr-old ds.
I am unapologetically pro-Suzuki!

The following is from a handout I give to new students outlining the philosophy:

"The Suzuki approach, based on the so-called “mother-tongue” method, differs from traditional methods of teaching instrumental music because it involves the student at a very early age, necessitating much participation on the part of the parent in the role of the home teacher. Some of the basic principles and ingredients of the Suzuki approach are:

1 Begin as early as possible.

2 Move in small steps so that the child can master the material with a total sense of success, thereby building his confidence and enthusiasm for learning. Each child progresses at his own pace.

3 Either the mother or father attends all lessons so that (s)he understands the learning process, and can feel secure when working with the child as home-teacher. To this end, the parent receives instruction in correct playing posture and all of the beginning steps including the playing of a simple piece. The most important single ingredient for success is the parent’s willingness to devote regular time to work closely with the child and the teacher.

4 Daily listening to recordings of the Suzuki repertoire, as well as good music in general, is the nucleus of the Suzuki aproach. The more the student listens to his tapes and CDs, the more quickly he learns. The approach derives from the way all normal children learn to speak their native language.

5 Postpone music reading until the child’s aural and instrumental skills are well established, just as we teach children to read a language only after they can speak. This enables the main focus of the teacher’s and student’s attention to be on the sound: beautiful tone, accurate intonation, and musical phrasing then become a basic part of the student’s earliest training.

6 Follow the Suzuki repertory sequence, for the most part, so that each piece becomes a building block for the most careful development of technique. Equally important is the strong motivation this standard repertoire provides; students want to play what they hear other students play. Constant repetition of the old pieces in a student’s repertoire is the secret of the performing ability of Suzuki students.

7 Create in lessons and home practice an enjoyable learning environment, so that much of the child’s motivation comes from enthusiasm for learning and desire to please. When working with children we should remember Dr. Suzuki’s exhortation that we must come “down to their physical limitations and up to their sense of wonder and awe.”

8 Group lessons, in addition to private lessons, and observation of other students’ lessons are valuable aids to motivation. The child learns from advanced students and from his peers possibly more than he does from his adult teachers directly - children love to do what they see other children do.

9 Foster an attitude of cooperation not competition among students, of supportiveness for each other’s accomplshments.

Developing the Whole Child

The Suzuki approach deals with much more than teaching a child how to play an instrument. It seeks to develop the whole child, to help unfold his natural potential to learn and become a good and happy person. The purpose of Suzuki training is not to produce great artists, but to help every child to find the joy that comes through music-making. Though the Suzuki growing process, children thrive in a total environment of support; they develop confidence and self-esteem, determination to try difficult things, self-discipline and concetration, as well as a lasting enjoyment of music, and the sensitivity and skill for making music."

Hope this helps!
I could probably answer just about any question you may have.

Joan

[MomInFlux]

Can anyone recommend a method for finding a Suzuki music teacher? TIA!

[musician/mom]

To find a teacher you could try this:

http://www.suzukiassociation.org/php/Refservice.php

It is only teachers who have signed up though. I'm sure there are lots of teachers out there who haven't, but may take new students.
Then I would click on the "contact us" at the top and send an e-mail to the Suzuki Association of the Americas asking for a list of teachers in your area.
You could also PM me with your town/area and I could look up in the teachers directory for you.