What is the Suzuki Method?

The Suzuki method was developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, son of the first Japanese violin-maker.  Born in 1898, he learned violin on his own for many years before traveling to Berlin in the 1920’s for further study.  While struggling with the German language himself, he noted that children all over the world learn to speak their mother tongue easily, regardless of how complicated it might be.  They learn to speak by listening to their parents and then imitating.  Children progress quickly when their efforts are met with praise and encouragement at every step.  Therefore, very young children develop large vocabularies with very little effort.

Suzuki believed the same could be applied to teaching music.   If children were exposed to daily listening and imitation followed by constant repetition, praise, and encouragement, all carried out in a positive learning environment, they were certain to be successful.  During the weekly private lesson, the Suzuki teacher trains the parent to create such an environment for the child at home.  Parental involvement and commitment are very important since the beginning Suzuki student is often as young as 4 years old. 

Suzuki students develop their musical ears before they are introduced to notes on a staff, just as children are not expected to read their language before they speak.  They listen to and learn to play a number of pieces by ear rather than reading notes.   The parents purchase a recording containing the pieces the students will learn so the student can listen as often as possible.  The more they listen, the faster they progress.  When the student develops a centered posture and good tone the Suzuki teacher introduces note reading.

The Suzuki Method is based on the combination of a weekly private lesson and a weekly group class.   The group classes serve to motivate and inspire children of all levels and ages.  In the group classes younger children can play along with and observe the more advanced players, inspiring them to work towards a more advanced level of playing.  Meanwhile, the older students work on leadership skills and ensemble playing.   Suzuki teachers use creative strategies to work on common skills during the group classes including musical games and exercises. 

The goal of a Suzuki teacher is not only to develop the violinist and musician in every student but to nurture the entire child and teach important life skills such as coordination, self-evaluation and motivation, listening skills, patience, and perseverance.  The Suzuki method is structured in such a way that new ideas are presented in small steps so the child can succeed and be proud of their achievements with every new skill.   Old skills serve as building blocks for new material so the child is always developing a larger vocabulary.  With positive guidance from the parent and teacher, the child develops confidence and a strong self-esteem.

OUR PROGRAM:

New Suzuki students are accepted each semester, however, our violin studio tends to be very full and we may not always be able to start everyone immediately. Submitting your registration form as early as possible will enable your child to secure a spot should one be available.

The role of the parent in the Suzuki method is instrumental! Not only do parents attend all lessons and group classes, but parents are expected to set aside time daily to practice with the child between lessons. Since this is unfamiliar territory for most parents, and violin is very detail-oriented, we ask parents of new beginners to attend mandatory monthly parent education meetings during the first year of study by the child. These meetings are for parents only - children do not attend - and are designed to ensure a firm foundation for your child's musical education. There is no extra fee for these classes -they are included in the regular Suzuki tuition. These classes meet one Tuesday night each month around 7pm and give us the opportunity to assist parents with setting up an efficient, productive, and positive practice schedule so their children can move at the fastest possible pace. Parents are also taught how to play the violin at a very basic level (using the student's instrument) so they have a better appreciation and understanding of what their children are being taught and why each step is so important so they can be better home practice coaches for their children during the week. Parents are also given lots of opportunities to ask questions as the lessons progress and new challenges arrise. A specific schedule of meetings will be given at the beginning of each semester.

New Suzuki students will start by having 30-minute private lessons only. Students join group classes upon the recommendation of their private teacher. A number of factors determine whether a child will join group classes including length of study, age, readiness, level of playing, and the make-up of the group classes based on other students enrolled. Generally, students do not join group classes during the first year of study. Instead, parents of new beginners take the parent education classes. Fees remain the same whether students are in group class or not.

As students progress, longer lesson times are needed in order for the teacher to adequately prepare the student for upcoming skills and challenges. Generally, students will be asked to increase to 45 minute lessons upon completion of Suzuki Book 1, and to 1 hour lessons around the time the student is in Book 4. Most students do not increase lesson length for at least the first 2 years of study.

If you are interested in our Suzuki program, please begin by reading our Policies for All Students and Fees pages and contact the CMS office. All beginning Suzuki parents are required to attend an orietation meeting scheduled by the director. Please be sure your registration is submitted on time so you can be notified of the meeting time and date.

For more information about the Suzuki Method, please visit the Suzuki Association of the Americas' website.