The Suzuki Method
The Suzuki Method was developed by Japanese violinist, Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998) and has been taught in the United States for over 50 years. The philosophy is based on the following core principals.
Every Child Can!
Suzuki based his approach on the belief that “Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.” Dr. Suzuki’s goal was not simply to develop professional musicians, but to nurture loving human beings and help develop each child’s character through the study of music.
Mother Tongue Method
Suzuki believed that all children can learn music just as all children learn to speak their native language. Children spend the first year of their lives listening to their parents speak, then saying small sounds, then put sounds together to form words and eventually, after countless repetition and practice, learn to speak full sentences. In much the same way, children learn to play an instrument.
Parental Involvement
The parent is the most important and influential person in a young child's life. Therefore, the parent is the student's primary teacher. In the Suzuki Method, parents learn the basic skills of the instrument along with their child in order to be the "home teacher" throughout the week. Each small success of the student is met with praise and encouragement from both the teacher and parent, promoting a warm nurturing environment that inspires the child. This parental involvement fosters an intense, loving bond between the parent and child that grows stronger over the years.
Community
Students play music with their peers in a weekly group class. Group classes provide the opportunity for children to learn from each other, be inspired by other children, learn how to play as a group and how to follow a leader. Cooperation, encouragement, and good social behavior are taught organically. Group classes provide parents with the opportunity to meet other families, swap ideas, and build a musical network.