The Suzuki Approach
Suzuki parents learn with their children attending all lessons, unlike conventional piano methods. Learn more about Suzuki’s guaranteed success
Bobby and Susan Brown, Katherine’s Dad and Aunt c.1941
mother tongue-SENSORY LEARNING
From moment life begins, the child constantly hears language and often, music. Babies and toddlers surrounded by language have a unique capacity to learn to speak (and make music) at this early stage. Nearly every child learns his or her native language. With guidance, music skills also develop "effortlessly". Q? Why do children in China speak Chinese so fluently? Knowing the tones and adjusting for meaning? Why do children in Russia speak Russian fluently? A. The child is surrounded by fluent speakers!
The mother tongue theory shows us that a child is learning language effortlessly by being born into the environment where people are talking to her. We never think of ‘coercion’ to teach language. For example, when the baby says: “itty, itty, itty! The mother knows this is certainly, “Kitty, Kitty, kitty!” We don’t tell a toddler, No! wrong! It is Kitty! We merely repeat it correctly and say yes! right, Kitty! Guiding and repeating the sounds positively.
Group class fun while learning notes and rests!
Unconscious competence
By playing the Book 1 recordings daily in the background of family life, the child hears and absorbs the melodies, the rhythm, beat and dynamics of the pieces. Parent takes 4 lessons to review Suzuki philosophy and to become sensorially aware to help his or her child with hand shape, relaxed arm+hand and deliberate nurturing techniques. Next after few weeks of listening, and shadowing, the child is ready to begin lessons with a success guaranteed: she unconsciously knows very well how the music should sound. At the keyboard, the teacher helps the child and parent to create a beautiful sound or tone. Continued listening to the entire repertoire makes more advanced skills easy. Hearing and listening are natural abilities of all children.
All children play duets
every child can
All parents just want what is best for their child. Parents will speak to, read to, play with and nourish their children. All children are capable of making beautiful music.
Harpsichord fun!
parent commitment
The parent and student learn alongside one another. Unlike traditional piano lessons, the parent learns the entire Book One alongside the child. This “baked in” parental effort helps the child “catch everything” in the lessons and helps foster extra focus while playing and doing “homework” the other 6 days of the week.