Suzuki Philosophy

Overview
Responsibilities of a Suzuki Parent
Responsibilities of a Suzuki Teacher
Responsibilities of a Suzuki Student
Before starting Suzuki lessons
Recommended Readings

Overview

  Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy to music teaching is based on the Mother-Tongue Method, to teach music as a language.  When children are born, they spend many months in the beginning, listening to the language (or languages) that surround them.  Then begin the trial-and-error phase, where they receive affirmation from their caregivers when the baby babble resembles any part of their language.  On this foundation the children continue to grow more vocabulary and absorb grammar and syntax, long before they learn how to read and write.  Also, no healthy child has trouble learning how to speak their mother tongue. And with proper education, any child can learn how to read and write, as well.

  Based on this theory that music is like a language, Dr. Suzuki believes that all children can learn to become musicians.  The ears are trained first, by listening to quality music until they are familiar, then the physical techniques are introduced.  Once the child is comfortable with the first two steps, then music reading introduced.  Traditional piano pedagogy introduces both reading and physical techniques at the same time.  This is as if we tried to teach newborns to read, just as they began to speak.  Dr. Suzuki’s Mother-Tongue Method ensures that the students have internalized musical concepts before the terminologies are introduced.  This way, students already understand the concepts, and you simply give it a name.

  Another important distinction between traditional pedagogy and the Suzuki Method is the involvement of parents in the learning process.  The Teacher/Parent/Student relationship as described by the Suzuki Philosophy is an equilateral triangle. Each part is equally important in sustaining a healthy relationship and cultivating optimal growth of the student’s musical education.  The three units must work together toward the same goal, relating with mutual respect.

  It is also important within the Suzuki philosophy to provide the student with a positive learning environment.  Respect the children, and listen to their feedback.  Praise the student for their accomplishments, but be specific with our praises so that we can continue to encourage the positive habits.  Practice positive reinforcement, and stay away from punishments.  Believe that every child can be educated, with the understanding that each child has a different propensity to learn music, and their aptitude contributes only to the rate of learning and their learning style.  By providing a disciplined, safe, and loving environment for the children to learn, they will flourish in their musical growth.

Responsibilities of a Suzuki Parent:

  As a Suzuki Parent, it is most important to decide if Suzuki piano is right for your child.  Ask your child and yourself if this decision is being made because the child wishes to participate in piano learning.  Very often parents will volunteer their children to take piano lessons, while the child has no desire to learn to play the piano.  Children will soon create negative feelings toward the lesson and toward practicing, often resulting in quitting lessons all together.  Be sure that your child wants to learn.  It is the first step before you begin.

  Next, ask yourself if you are ready to commit to taking piano lessons.  This means having the necessary components, before the lessons begin.  It is important to have a piano.  A keyboard is simply a different instrument; it lacks the weight, the volume, and the vibrations of a piano.  I have considered purchasing electric pianos in the past, and tested many brands in the market.  In the end I went back to the piano, because no matter how wonderful the technology, electric pianos are not the wooden instrument that I love, nor do they produce the same tone. 

  If the student is starting at a young age, it is essential to have an adjustable bench and an adjustable footrest.  Having both the bench and footrest ensures that the child is learning to play with proper posture, which is very important to keeping alignment when playing the piano.  Playing with proper alignment prevents students from developing poor habits that will inhibit their playing.  Suzuki violin students learn on instruments that match their frame.  Similar to this, the adjustable bench and footrest are important components of having a complete instrument for young Suzuki piano students.

  Finally, seriously consider if you are willing to put in the time commitment to being a successful Suzuki parent.  This means attending all lessons with your child.  Suzuki piano lessons, unlike some traditional pedagogy methods, is not about “dropping off my son at the lesson and running some errands.”  Parents take notes during lessons so that they may practice with the child at home. For very young students, many teachers choose to teach the parents, also.  It is important for Suzuki parents to be willing students.  Suzuki parents must learn with their child, play the CDs at home to encourage the student to listen, be aware of how their child is practicing, and take notes both at home and at lessons so they can communicate the child’s progress with the teachers.  It is a serious time and energy commitment, and often you will see clear results in the progress of a student who has a dedicated Suzuki parent. 

  For many parents, the Suzuki experience is a wonderful way to spend their energy and time with their child.  However, this type of learning may not be practical for busy parents, so think it over before you decide whether Suzuki piano lessons is right for your family.

Responsibilities of a Suzuki Teacher:

  As a Suzuki Teacher, my job is to discover how each student learns and cater my teaching style to each of them.  I will be encouraging, supportive, and positive to students and parents; I will not push them to anything they are not comfortable with.  I understand that each child will learn at his or her own pace, and rushing ahead before they are ready to proceed does not contribute to their learning.  I will demonstrate and model proper techniques and posture, give suggestions on how to practice at home and how to overcome difficult passages.   I will encourage the child to listen during lessons, so they acquire the habit of always paying attention to the music they are making.  I will teach the parent so that they are confident in how to help the student during practice during the week, teach the parents to be home teachers.  I will be respectful toward my students and the parents, and communicate effectively and efficiently, while keeping to the Suzuki philosophy.  Mostly importantly, I will strive to always keep the lessons productive and fun for all the participants, because creating music should always be enjoyable for each of us.

Responsibilities of a Suzuki Student:

  As a Suzuki Student, first ask yourself if you really want to learn how to play the piano.  Without the desire to learn, even the best teacher will be unable to help you absorb the material. Once you have decided and began taking lessons, pay attention, and ask questions.  Be respectful toward not just the teacher, but also your parent, who will be guiding you during the week.  Listen carefully to the music you own, and always look for new excellent music to add to your listening repertoire.  Also, always listen to your own playing.  Playing beautiful music involves two steps – recognizing quality, and recreating quality.  Your ears will learn quickly to help guide you.  And sing!  Singing is performing with the instrument that you were born with.  There is no greater advantage to learning music than to be comfortable with using your internal instrument, your voice. 

  You must practice, practice, practice.  Dr. Suzuki once said, “Ability equals knowledge plus 10,000 times.”  There is no trick to this – if you practice, you will advance.  Also, practice efficiently.  Simply repeating what you’re playing isn’t enough; know what you’re practicing toward, and how you are practicing to reach that goal.  Finally, enjoy yourself.  If it isn’t fun and exciting anymore, then we must reevaluate and find out how to help you enjoy learning music.

Before starting Suzuki lessons

  Once you have decided to study Suzuki piano, begin a listening routine right away.  Even if you have not yet found a suitable teacher, parents can start teaching the children how to listen, either by listening to various repertoires, and also by singing with your child.  Some parents might ask, “But what if I can’t sing?”  It isn’t the quality of your singing that matters – it is the act.  Your modeling will encourage your child to sing with you, cultivate the healthy habit that singing is a normal, everyday activity. It is the most simple step to start children's ear training, and it can begin as early as the parent desires. Being able to sing comfortably will help train their ears to become a successful musician.

Recommended readings
  If you would like to read more on the Suzuki Philosophy, here are some recommended readings:

Nurtured By Love
by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
Translated by Waltraud Suzuki

Ability Development From Age Zero
by Dr. Shinich Suzuki
Translated by Mary Louise Nagata

To Learn with Love; A Companion for Suzuki Parents
by William and Constance Starr

Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making it Easier (Vol. I)
by Edmund Sprunger