Suzuki Music
Overview
- Children may start as young as three, and all ages are welcome.
- Weekly private instruction in violin, viola, cello, bass, or piano.
- Lessons are offered in 15-, 30-, 45- or 60-minute intervals depending on the student’s age and prior experience.
- Group lessons with students from the teacher’s studio in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Parents participate actively in lessons and help with practice at home.
- Informational Suzuki Parent Workshops offered each semester.
- Students develop reading, ear-training, and memorization skills while having fun.
What is the Suzuki Method?
Shinichi Suzuki developed his approach to music teaching in the 1940s in Japan. He believed children could learn music the same way they learned language — through listening, imitation, loving encouragement, and practice. At the heart of Suzuki’s “mother-tongue approach” is a three-part recipe: daily listening and practice, the parent-teacher-child relationship, and the fellowship and mutual stimulation of group sessions. With all of these elements at play, children as young as three can learn to play an instrument beautifully.
How does the Suzuki Method compare to other methods?
There are five principal ways in which the Suzuki Method differs from other methods:
- 1. While all Suzuki students learn to read music, the introduction of reading is delayed until students have achieved basic proficiency at the instrument. Students learn to play by imitating their teacher. They develop both reading and listening as ways to learn.
- 2. Listening to the repertoire builds ear-training skills that are a vital part of any musician’s development. With daily listening, students learn phrasing, complicated rhythmic patterns, and stylistic subtleties.
- 3. The Suzuki repertoire begins with pieces that are familiar to and fun for the children, such as popular folk songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and progress in technical difficulty to include Baroque and Classical literature as demands require. We frequently return to the simple, beginning pieces to further master various technical skills.
- 4. Because the repertoire quickly advances to a higher level, children need help with home practice. Parents learn alongside their child at lessons and become “home-teachers” during daily practice. Parents work with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.
- 5. Regular group lessons reinforce the goals outlined above while providing students and parents with additional motivation, group and individual performance opportunities, and a community of support.
What is a typical lesson like?
The instructor involves both the parent and student (and sometimes siblings!) in the lesson. Teachers work with and away from the instrument, often incorporating other instruments, clapping, singing, and musical games. Teachers expect and reward practice and the accomplishment of goals.
What happens during group lessons?
Group lessons take place once per month for one hour. Each group session is scheduled by the instructor. Group lessons are indispensable for progress. They are opportunities for the children to learn from one another, play together, perform for each other, and learn music appreciation.
What is expected of the student?
Students are expected to attend weekly lessons, listen to their CD and practice daily, and attend monthly group sessions. Practicing will start at 5 minutes per day and gradually increase.
What is expected of the parents?
Parents play a vital role in the Suzuki Method. They participate in and take notes during lessons so they can help their student at home at each practice session. Parents are also responsible for implementing the daily listening program. As the child matures, the parental role gradually decreases. MSFAC offers Suzuki Parent Workshops each semester provide support and fun ideas for home practice.
Why study Suzuki at MSFAC?
For over ten years, the Monroe Street Fine Arts Center has supported children and their families through high-quality, affordable arts education. Our Suzuki-trained faculty work closely with families to provide an enjoyable experience learning and appreciating music, in a spirit of creativity, flexibility, and fun. MSFAC has a welcoming environment where kids and adults of all ages come together to explore, make, and share music and art.
What instruments do you offer?
MSFAC offers Suzuki instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
Who teaches Suzuki at MSFAC?
Suzuki Parent Workshops
This one-hour workshop, guided by MSFAC Suzuki teachers, is for new, continuing, and prospective Suzuki music parents. Areas to be covered range from note reading to learning styles to practice strategies. Parents have the opportunity to share ideas and problem-solve as a group. (There is a fee of $10 for students not currently registered in our Suzuki program.)
next workshop: TBA