About The Suzuki Method

The Suzuki Method is based on the principle that all children possess ability and that this ability can be developed and enhanced through a nurturing environment. All children learn to speak their own language with relative ease and if the same natural learning process is applied in teaching other skills, these can be acquired as successfully. Suzuki referred to the process as the Mother Tongue Method and to the whole system of pedagogy as Talent Education.

Every Child Can Learn
More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.

Fundamental ingredients of the  Suzuki approach:

• Begin at an early age (aged 3-4 is not too early)
• The importance of listening to music
• Learning to play before learning to read
  • Children learn 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.
• Repetition
  • Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.
• Parent training and involvement
  • The teacher initially will work with the parent-only to prepare them for their role. In the same way a child learns language naturally in the home, the parent will model the joy of learning, fearless experimentation and other important elements that encourages the child to imitate. The parent attends each lesson, and serves as the "home-teacher" during the week.  In essence, the parent participates with the teacher in helping develop  a positive, nurturing and fun environment for their child.
• A nurturing and positive learning environment
  • A child  is given praise and affirmation in all their musical attempts so that they learn at their own pace, one skill, one note or passage at a time. The more their efforts are encouraged, the more skills are accomplished. Soon, small steps turn into larger ones and difficult things become easier.  
• A high standard of teaching by trained teachers
• The importance of developing good technique and producing a good sound in a balanced and natural way
• Core Suzuki repertoire (expanded upon after music reading begins)
• Social interaction with other children through group classes and other activities. 

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CLICK HERE for more information on Suzuki Method suzukiassociation.org/about/suzuki-method/

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki

Suzuki Group class playing theory games!

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