Information for New Suzuki Parents

            Basically, the Suzuki method is founded on the idea that when children learn the way they are naturally built to learn, they can pick up anything, and take it to an unbelievable level. The model for this natural learning process is the way in which children learn their native language; thus, it is often called the Mother Tongue method. There are elements of Suzuki music education that are an attempt to imitate this natural process:

1. Learning in a group setting

2. Being surrounded by the material (playing CDs, going to concerts, etc.)

3. Consistency of practice (every day!!!!)

4. Support and involvement from family

5. Not reading from a page until the material is internalized

6. Positive support and encouragement

            If you continue to think of what we do here as trying to learn a language, a lot will start to make more sense. For instance, a common question is, “Why do I really have to come to the group class?” None of us learned how to speak in a private lesson, we just sort of picked it up through observation and practice. And we all did practice. How many times do you have to try before you can say “Daddy” correctly? Sometimes hundreds or thousands. It starts with a little noise, and then it starts to become more and more recognizable until it eventually evolves into, “Daddy, I want the car keys.”

            It’s important for the parent(s) to be totally involved in the private lessons, group lessons, and home practice. The practicing must be consistent every day, just as an infant will practice speaking every waking minute. For a beginner, 15-20 minutes every day is sufficient.

            Please get for yourself Suzuki Book 1 and the accompanying CD. For now, the book is for YOU to help the student along at home. (Many parents are tempted to try to teach the student to read because they feel it’ll make less work for them. Please resist this until I say it’s okay.) The CD, however, should go on immediately. It makes an extraordinary difference in the speed of a student’s progress to hear the songs before they’re actually learned. Also, every Suzuki parent should get and read Nurtured by Love, Dr. Suzuki’s first book, which is an explanation of the philosophy in his own words. Teaching From the Balance Point is a more modern, more American explanation of the method and has more of a practical application.

Suggested Reading:

« Shinichi Suzuki, Nurtured by Love

Shinichi Suzuki, Ability Development From Age Zero

Ed Kreitman, Teaching From the Balance Point

Ed Sprunger, Helping Parents Practice (new!)

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