About Suzuki Method

Focus of Suzuki method
The focus of Suzuki method is performance technique. In this method, the pieces are arranged to help students to learn crucial piano techniques step by step from the beginning. We focus to create a steady tone, proper hand coordination, effective techniques for how to play each parts of the piece to create beautiful music. Also learning music by ear at earlier stage helps student to focus developing memorization skills, creative thinking, and how to feel the music in their hearts.

Core belief of Suzuki method

What is Suzuki method? It’s a musical education system which was created by Dr. Suzuki, who was a great Japanese violinist, philosopher and educator, as a result of his sincere and persistent efforts of trying to find out the best, most effective violin lessons to each of all his students throughout his life. Included in his earlier students are some of the Japanese top class international virtuosos who went over to western countries after World War II and became successful leadership in well-known musical institutions and top class orchestras, and also possessed some of the finest violin techniques and amazing musical talent. However, his intention was not meant to create rare and extraordinary performers. On the contrary, he taught all of the children whose parents asked him to teach, included blind and mentally challenged children. His philosophy was that talent is learned, not inborn (“Man is a son of his environment.” by Dr. Suzuki), and every child can be educated by putting them in suitable environment and giving them appropriate training. To Suzuki there were no failures, and in other words as we teach every child truth, goodness, and beauty on a foundation of love, it meets a human’s basic desire of life. This was his purpose of his teaching music.

In his own words Dr. Suzuki stated, “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. Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.”

Mother tongue approach

Based on this core belief, we use the same approach as learning native language to music instrument training. Just like newborn baby learns how to speak the language by listening to their mom’s talking so many times, we let our students listen to good music many times over. As Dr. Suzuki emphatically stated, “Listening until we remember is not enough. We must listen until we cannot forget.”. We let them learn repeatedly, recommend an early starting age, and divide skills into smaller steps so that they can understand easier and can always be successful. Again Dr. Suzuki stated, “Without hurry, but without rest. Keep on going. Small enough so child is always successful. Mastery of each step.” Just as children learn how to read after they learn how to speak, the students learn how to play before they start learning how to read music. In addition to private lessons, we can make opportunities to participate in group lessons and performance so that they can be motivated by each other.

Talent is nurtured by love
Talent is nurtured by love. As a Suzuki teacher, we are trained to encourage our students. We also recommend parents to positively encourage your children at home. Let’s believe in their possibilities. Even though the result might not come out right away, today or tomorrow, and even though we can’t see the result clearly, what they learn in their lessons and in their daily practices is growing inside of them. Let’s work, wait, and one day these efforts will blossom into a great flower. It is just like a new born baby who remains silent for several months just listening to their mother’s talk, then suddenly one day speaks their first word, then more words, and finally coherent sentences. The crucial key element for growing up children’s musical talent is provide them with a warm, loving environment.

Parents involvement
Just as a mother’s role is tremendous when a baby learns a language, a parent’s role is also huge in music learning. Please sit with them and play the piano with them at their lesson and at home. Please be their teacher at your home. In order to do that, please learn the skills with them at each lesson. Also, please don’t be frustrated when they can’t do well. Please be patient and watch over them. Even though they can’t do well at this moment, the time sure will come when they can conquer these challenges. Let’s believe that will happen. Please let me know anytime when you have any questions, I would be happy to talk with you. Let’s walk together to help their possibilities bloom.

Arlington, TX

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