Suzuki and the Art of Piano

The Suzuki Method is most often found in violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar, and bass lessons for students four and up. Also called the "Mother Tongue" method, Suzuki instruction is modeled on the way children learn to speak their native tongue. The method’s philosophy is founded on the belief that talent is nurtured by a child’s environment. The instruction, which encourages active parental involvement, aims to envelop the entire family unit.

Key program components that differ from traditional instruction usually includes significant parental involvement, daily listening, and regular group lessons in addition to weekly private lessons.

Suzuki tonalization, a word coined in violin training, is similar to vocalization in vocal training. The idea is to teach the student to produce good tone and to use musical expression. Students are given ear training and imitation of musical sound on the instrument.

Many people, with little knowledge of Suzuki, seek a piano teacher who will train in the Suzuki Method. What they don't realize, however, is that there is little difference between this Japanese approach and the typical training of a pianist under any other method. Ear training is a vital component of learning the piano as is involving the student in listening to music, listening to and imitating the teacher, and hearing the songs he learns to play on the keyboard, as well as reading notes.

The difference seems to lie in the distinctly Japanese idea of community and group learning. As we all know, American culture historically leans toward individualism and Japanese culture leans toward group activity.

As a musician myself, I would rather coach a child to hear himself and play with expression from his own sense of artistry, rather than conforming to a group ideal.

For more information about piano lessons NJ, contact Barbara Ehrlich Piano Studio.

The Suzuki Method

The Suzuki piano teaching method was developed by Shinichi Suzuki in Japan shortly after WWII. Its focus is the use of music education to enrich the lives and character of its students.

The Suzuki method arose out of a music pedagogy resting on the double premise that

• all children can be well educated in music


• learning to play music at a high level involves learning certain character traits or virtues which make a person's soul more beautiful

Musical Immersion

For Suzuki, the primary method for achieving this centers around creating the same environment for learning music that a person has for learning their native language. This 'ideal' environment includes love, high-quality examples, praise, and, where possible, complete immersion in a musical culture.

While the Suzuki Method is quite popular internationally, within Japan its influence is less significant than the Yamaha Method, founded by Genichi Kawakami in association with the Yamaha Music Foundation.