About THE SUZUKI METHOD
The Suzuki Method
The Suzuki Method was founded by Japanese violinist, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. The method is sometimes known as the "mother tongue method" because Suzuki observed that children all over the world could learn to speak their native tongue with ease from an early age, which is remarkable considering the complexities of language. He believed the principles of language acquisition could be applied to teaching music and his method was modeled after this idea.
Suzuki believed each student's musical success was reliant on several key factors, which include:
1. Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is vital to each student's success in whatever area they are striving to improve. One of the main reasons children succeed in learning their native language is that they are surrounded by supportive parents and a network of teachers that are reinforcing their development with positive feedback. Having a partnership with parents is key to each students musical progression, where parents can reinforce materials learned in weekly lessons and create a joyful and structured learning environment from home. In Suzuki lessons, parents receive feedback and training as well to help structure and reinforce home practice with their child. The importance of parental partnership cannot be emphasized enough.
2. Every Child Can Learn
Suzuki believed all children have a natural affinity for music and that "talent" is not simply inherent, but a skill to be achieved through diligence and structured learning. If all children can learn to communicate in their native tongue naturally with ease, then this could also be applied to learning how to play a musical instrument as well.
3. Early Beginning
Children have a natural inclination toward music. Suzuki believed children should be surrounded with a musical environment starting from birth, and formal music training can begin as early as age 3 or 4. Beginning during a child's formative years has the benefit of strengthening the child's mental growth and body coordination. Though, it is never too late to study music.
4. Positive Feedback
Each child's effort should be met with positive feedback and sincere praise from both their teacher and parents. Children should feel joy and encouragement in their musical journey through a positive learning environment. We should be cautious to not rush to judgement and allow children to grow and learn at their natural pace consistent with their age and unique learning style. Look for unique ways to compliment students beyond "good job" that can instill confidence. Patience and a positive attitude from parents will help your child blossom and look forward to music time each day.
5. Daily Listening
It would be very challenging to learn a foreign language without ever hearing it spoken first. One of the key secrets to faster learning comes from listening to Suzuki recordings on a daily basis. It is perhaps one of the only "shortcuts" that exist and the best time spent. Students hear professional level playing and are able to model their own playing after it. Additionally, students internalize the music they are learning (or will learn in the future) and the learning process is expedited. Music listening is not limited to the Suzuki recordings, but should include a wide variety of music for their instrument. There are many fun and unique musical artists in every genre to listen to as well (look under helpful links).
6. Repetition is Key
Children develop language acquisition through repeatedly hearing key words and phrases. The same can be applied to music where repetition is an essential took to master musical skills and music pieces with efficiency. For children learning to speak, their vocabulary will continually be added to to construct phrases, eventual sentences, and full dialog. In music, students will continually expand their repertoire and build on prior knowledge and materials they have learned. They will build a vast catalog of repertoire that they frequently review and will be able to perform from memory.
7. Progressive Repertoire
All Suzuki books are structured with repertoire that in a very logical sequence that builds upon previous pieces and helps build a solid technical foundation. Much of the technique is included in the natural progressions of pieces within each book rather than doing various exercises from other materials.
8. Group Classes
Group classes are a wonderful way for students to play together in a ensemble setting. They are also able to collaborate and learn from their peers through listening and perform for others in a informal and fun environment. Children are highly motivated to work when they see other children excel in their peer group. Students also learn quicker through observation and additionally learn to develop ensemble skills by playing with others.
9. Delayed Music Reading
We learned to speak in our native language long before we learned to read and write, though eventually our reading literacy caught up with our speaking ability. Such is the case with music reading as well. Students will learn a vast repertoire before they are able to read music. Suzuki believed it was vital to first establish a solid technical foundation and produce a beautiful tone before learning to interpret musical symbols and notation. Read will eventually come.