Introduction To Suzuki Violin Method

Some people might be baffled when they read it at first, but the Suzuki method has nothing to do with the famed automobile brand. It is a special way of learning how to play musical instruments, but is more commonly utilized in violin-playing.

Created and developed by the Japanese native Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in the mid-20 century, this method is now the renowned and most used in various musical schools worldwide.

The general idea is to teach children as young as 3 years old to play musical instruments. The students are given scaled stringed instruments according to their size and grip. The general principle that inspired the Suzuki method is the natural manner in which babies adopt the language of adults around him.

In learning to play the violin the Suzuki way, a student is made to listen to a musical recording and further mimic what he/she has heard. A student will do well by listening closely to his assigned recording even after Suzuki violin lessons have ended for the day. This exercise will familiarize the kid to the music and eventually learn to play the piece correctly.

This method does not only advocate interaction between student and teacher, but emphasizes the parent's optimal participation as well. Parents of the students under the Suzuki method are encouraged to play an active role in their children's learning.

It is not necessary that the parent knows how to play the instrument as well, he/she just needs to be familiar and knowledgeable about the kid's suzuki violin lessons to determine if the child is doing the right thing.

Team playing and collaboration are given more focus in this method, and less on competition. The student will be asked to play solo and in groups thereby making them more well rounded performers. This will help the child enjoy what he/she is doing and to able to play more naturally.

You might be thinking twice in enrolling your child in a suzuki violin school that utilizes this method due to the oddity of the concept. It is quite different from the traditional way of teaching students to read notes first before having them play the instrument.

However, teachers and advocates of the Suzuki violin method argue that learning music by ear actually props up the ability of the student in recognizing notes, and in the long run, helps the student expand knowledge in rhythm and tone identification.

You will also develop more confidence for teachers of Suzuki schools. Suzuki music schools maintain a high standard of competency for their teachers by strictly screening incoming teachers and by having extensive trainings for their roster of teachers. Prospective instructors do not necessarily have to finish a formal degree in music, but their qualifications are measured by their proficiency in performing and liberal background on the Suzuki method.

Due to its exceptional principles and practices, the Suzuki violin method which originally started from Japan, has now been widely adopted all over the US as well as different corners of the world.