The Suzuki Method - What Is It?

There is quite a bit of interest in our area about the Suzuki Method. Our NJ piano studio gets regular inquiries on the Suzuki Method - what it is, how it works, and whether we teach it. But I think that many parents don't really have a good understanding of what the Suzuki Method is. As a result, they sometimes have unrealistic expectations for their children's piano progress. So, I am writing this blog post to help clarify what the Suzuki Method is, who it was designed for, and what it's basic principles are.
*What Is The Suzuki Method?
The Suzuki Method was started in Japan by Shinichi Suzuki. It is a music education curriculum designed to teach very young children how to play an instrument quickly. It was originally a curriculum for the violin, but as it gained in popularity it was applied to other instruments.
*Who The Suzuki Method Was Intended For
The Suzuki Method was originally created for young children, between the ages of 4 and 8 years of age. However, it can be used successfully for a beginner student of any age. It was created initially for violin students, however it has been used effectively in piano pedagogy.
*The Suzuki Method: Basic Principles
The basic principles of the Suzuki Method, as applied to piano, are
1. That any child can learn music. Being able to play piano is not an innate gift but can be taught to any child
2. That it is more important to teach playing piano by ear, rather than reading notes from a staff.
3. That learning piano is like learning a spoken language. The more the pupil is immersed in the language, the easier and faster s/he will pick it up
4. That it is important for parents to play recordings of the pieces the student is learning to facilitate progress
5. That teachers should take students to see other students their age learning music. This models the appropriate behavior and interest needed to progress further.
6. That teachers should introduce Musicianship as soon as possible, and not just focus on notes or physical coordination.
At our studio, we utilize principles of the Suzuki Method in our lesson plans. We believe in taking what is best from the various traditions to encourage our studens to be the very best they can be.
For more information about piano lessons, please contact us at 908.787.3475 or contact us on the Web at
http://gnosisarts.com/index.php?title=Contact_Us

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Eric Bryant, Director
Gnosis Arts
22 Ray Court
Bedminster, NJ 07921
908.787.3475
www.gnosisarts.com