Suzuki Method

Parent Involvement

When a child learns to talk, it is the *parents who function as teachers. Parents attend lessons and have an important role as “home teachers”.  In the beginning, one parent often learns to play before the child to better understand the process.

*This can also be a grandparent, guardian, or an adult who is regularly involved in the child’s life.

Early Beginning

The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth; formal training may begin at age three or four. Recent scientific studies stress the importance of early music study in brain development.

Listening

Children learn words after hearing them spoken hundreds of times. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to the pieces in the Suzuki repertoire.

Repetition

Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or a piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire, gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.

Encouragement

As with language, the child’s efforts to learn an instrument should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his/her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. This creates an environment of enjoyment for child, parent, and teacher.

Learning with Other Children

In addition to private lessons, students are expected to take part in group lessons and performances. Students learn with and support one another in their growth.

Suzuki Repertoire

Children do not practice exercises to learn to talk but use language for its natural purpose of communication and self-expression. The Suzuki repertoire is designed to present one or two new technical skills to be learned in the context of the music rather than only through dry technical exercises.

Delayed Reading

Children are taught to read after their ability to talk has been well established. In the same way, children should develop basic technical competence on their instruments before being taught to read music. When music reading is introduced, it is taught step by step at each lesson.

Older Students or Students Transferring from Other Methods

Students of any age can benefit from Suzuki’s ideals of natural technique, tone development, and musicianship. Preucil School welcomes students who transfer from non-Suzuki backgrounds during any stage of development.

Music Education Article

Things I learned as a Suzuki Student that I Still Use Today,  Q&A with Liz Huett