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The Suzuki Method

THE YOUNG CHILD
The Suzuki Method, created by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in the early 20th century, was designed to introduce the power of the arts through the discipline of instrumental study to very young children. Unlike many traditional methods, very young children could now learn the language of music at an age when ease, balance and fluency are readily captured by the inquisitive and intuitive powers of young children.

OLDER CHILDREN AS WELL
The Suzuki Method is not exclusively for young children. Many Suzuki students continue with the method and their teachers for many years. Although Suzuki teachers receive special training for working with very young children, many Suzuki teachers are educated and experienced in teaching at the advanced levels as well. All children can benefit from the principles of the Suzuki Method, regardless of age.

NATURE VS. NURTURE
Suzuki teachers believe that all children have unlimited potential. It is the responsibility of the teacher and the parent to create an environment that promotes learning. This type of environment includes positive reinforcement, consistency, discipline and knowledgeable teachers who are skilled in addressing the needs of the individual child.

MUSIC IS A LANGUAGE
Music is organized sound that often expresses human emotion. Children can feel music before they are fully capable of understanding it. The same is true with language. Children can speak and use language before they really understand its organization. Dr. Suzuki’s observation of this correlation and use in musical instruction is referred to as the “mother tongue approach.”

The Suzuki Method capitalizes on the intuitive powers of children. Suzuki teachers seek to instill ease, balance and confidence in their students early on, before tackling the academic understanding of music. Therefore, Suzuki students begin instruction by learning by ear. When age-appropriate, all Suzuki students learn to read music just as in traditional methods.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS
Parent involvement is an integral part of the Suzuki process. Parents attend all lessons, learning from the teacher through observation, and become the home teachers. This type of learning creates a unique bonding experience between the child and parent. Through cooperative learning, families can develop a deeper awareness of each other, share the joy of achievement and feel the benefits of working through challenges as a team. Parents do not need to have a musical background prior to Suzuki lessons.

At the Music School, all parents of new Suzuki students attend a two-hour Suzuki Class for New Parents—Philosophy Overview prior to beginning lessons. The class allows parents to gain valuable knowledge regarding the journey they are about to begin.

COOPERATIVE SPIRIT
Learning with other children is an excellent way for students to experience cooperation, teamwork, peer motivation and inspiration. Suzuki instruction includes private lessons and group classes. Performing regularly with others from a young age helps to develop students’ comfort and confidence.

At the Music School, private lessons and group classes (alternating between group and musicianship classes) both meet every week at the Wilmington Branch; groups meet biweekly in Milford. Students are placed in group classes based on their age and experience. Eligible Wilmington Branch students may also participate in Suzuki Academy orchestras, to prepare them for future participation in other Music School orchestras (contingent upon audition). The Suzuki Academy tuition package is inclusive of private lessons, group/musicianship classes and applicable ensembles.

MUSICIANSHIP
Students enrolled in the Wilmington Branch Suzuki Academy receive musicianship classes as part of their tuition. In most cases, the classes are held during the same time slot as group classes. The curriculum covers basic musicianship skills (pitch and rhythm recognition) as well as understanding music notation and reading. Age-appropriate games and activities will be used to increase awareness and understanding of these musical concepts.

EASE, BALANCE & CONFIDENCE
In addition to instilling a life-long appreciation for the arts, the Suzuki Method seeks to nurture the whole child through cognitive, emotional, social, language and physical development. The benefits of Suzuki study go beyond music.

READINESS
Children under 3 years of age will need to take an interview lesson prior to registration. During the interview lesson, the teacher will determine the child’s readiness for Suzuki lessons. Students who are not yet ready for Suzuki instruction are encouraged to enroll in Prelude Program (Wilmington Branch only) to prepare for future Suzuki study.

THE SUZUKI LEGACY

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was a violinist, educator, philosopher and humanitarian. After World War II, Dr. Suzuki devoted his life to the development of the method he called Talent Education. Dr. Suzuki based his approach on the belief that “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 that ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.” Dr. Suzuki’s goal was not simply to develop professional musicians, but to nurture loving human beings and help develop each child’s character through the study of music.


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