The Suzuki Method,
also called Talent Education,
was developed
by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
(1898-1998), a Japanese violinist.
It is based on certain fundamental
ideas as follows:
· Early Beginning
· Emphasis on Listening
· Reading Music
· One-Step-at-a-Time
· Repertoire
· Parental Involvement
· Group Involvement
The Suzuki philosophy
embraces the belief that
anyone can learn to play an
instrument just as he learns to
speak his native tongue.
The course of learning
parallels the same course
that children experience from
infancy in learning language
skills:
I. At a very early age, the child
is surrounded by others
speaking the language.
II. After observing others speak,
the child develops a desire to
speak. Exactly when this happens
is determined by the individual
child.
III. The parents continuously
praise his attempts, no matter
how imperfect, knowing that
with constant encouragement and
good examples the child will
eventually acquire the skills
necessary for speaking.
IV. Although the child has the
ability to speak much earlier,
reading the language is not
taught until the eyes have
developed, at about age 6.
How does Suzuki transfer
these conditions to Piano
Playing?
By educating the parents to
create the proper environment.
Compare the following with
the 4 conditions for learning to
speak:
I. At a very early age, the child
should be surrounded by others
playing at childrens’ concerts,
lessons,adult concerts, on the
radio, recordings - even hearing
mom,dad or siblings practicing!
II. After observing others play,
the child develops a desire to play.
Exactly when this happens is
determined by the individual child.
Lessons Begin
III. The parents continuously
praise his attempts no matter
how imperfect, knowing that
with constant encouragement
and good examples (a good
teacher and high-quality
recordings of his pieces),
the child will eventually acquire
the skills necessary for playing.
IV. Although the child plays much
earlier,reading is not taught until
the eyes have developed, at
about age six.
What course of instruction is
appropriate for my child?
Suzuki instruction is suitable
for beginners ages 3-7.
(Students ages 3-4 are by
special arrangement only).
Older beginners and transfer
students will be diagnosed
individually to receive compre-
hensive instruction encompassing
reading and theory tailored for
their needs. Suzuki instruction is
not appropriate for students whose
parents are not able to supervise
practice and attend a majority of
lessons.