The Suzuki Method is the commitment to the ideals that the development of the character of the child and the heart of the musician are of equal importance and is the responsibility of the teacher, parent & child. ~Cathryn S. Lee
SBC Institute of Violin & Piano
Suzuki Violin Program Requirements
Introduction
Sarah offers instruction in violin and viola using the Suzuki Method. Participation in this program requires a significant commitment from the parent and child.
How to Get Started
Parent Responsibilities
Active parent involvement is essential to your child’s success in lessons. One parent should assume the role of attending lessons each week with your child. This will ensure consistent support for your child and effective home practice.
Parent responsibilities include:
Lessons
Students attend a weekly private lesson and a weekly group lesson. Private and group lessons are of equal importance to your child’s development.
Home Practice
It is the parent’s responsibility to establish a daily practice routine. At home, parents should include each point done in the private lesson at each home practice. Do your best to establish and maintain a positive and focused practice environment. Enjoy the quality time of working in a loving, cooperative manner with your child.
Listening
It is the parent’s responsibility to play the Suzuki recordings at home every day. The Suzuki method works on the model of language learning. Repeated daily listening of the Suzuki recordings will increase your child’s motivation. It will also help your child's progress in lessons to be easy and smooth. Students who listen often and on a daily basis will progress much faster than those who don't.
Sarah offers instruction in violin and viola using the Suzuki Method. Participation in this program requires a significant commitment from the parent and child.
How to Get Started
- Observation of a lesson is recommended, but not required. Parent and student should observe a lesson before beginning your own lessons. If possible, we will arrange for you to observe a lesson with a student of similar age to your own.
- Listening begins from day one. Buy Suzuki Volume 1 (Revised) Violin CD. (You can also download via iTunes, or stream via Spotify.) Daily listening to the Suzuki repertoire is essential to success in lessons. It is much like learning a foreign language.
- Read “Nurtured by Love” (Revised Edition) by Shin’ichi Suzuki, translated by Kyoto Selden and Lili Selden.
- Follow our Facebook page for updates, articles, and news.
- Learn more about the Suzuki Method and philosophy by visiting the Suzuki Association of the Americas website. Start here: http://suzukiassociation.org/teachers/twinkler
Parent Responsibilities
Active parent involvement is essential to your child’s success in lessons. One parent should assume the role of attending lessons each week with your child. This will ensure consistent support for your child and effective home practice.
Parent responsibilities include:
- Attending private lessons each week with your child
- Taking notes about what your child and the teacher work on during the lesson. This will be your outline of what to practice at home each day until your next lesson. The more detailed you can be, the better.
- Bringing all lesson materials to every lesson in a designated lesson bag. This includes lesson notebook and pencil/pen, Suzuki book, note reading materials, flashcards, recording device, etc.
- Practicing with your child EVERY DAY. Even if you do not make it through the entire assignment list, make an effort to practice every day, as this will help make practice a consistent, expected part of your child's daily routine. It also helps decrease your child's resistance (negative behavior) to engaging in practice. (Negative behavior tends to become more systemic if the practice routine is sporadic and inconsistent.)
- Playing the Suzuki recording at home every day
- Plan to attend the Idaho Suzuki Institute (or other Suzuki institute) each summer
- Developing and modeling an interest in classical music. Look for opportunities to take your child to live classical music concerts.
- Make sure your child is not over-scheduled with other activities
Lessons
Students attend a weekly private lesson and a weekly group lesson. Private and group lessons are of equal importance to your child’s development.
- Private Lesson: “Recognize progress, but value the process.” During your child’s lesson, parents will take notes and not interrupt the lesson. At times this may be difficult! Allow your teacher to control the lesson environment, unless prompted for your help. It can be frustrating for your child if they are unsure who they should be listening to for instruction. Parent and child should also be mindful of starting the lesson on time. Please arrive to your lesson 5 minutes early, so that you unpack and be ready to begin your lesson. Siblings are welcome to attend lessons so long as they are not disruptive to your child. We reserve the last five minutes of the lesson for providing answering questions. The teacher may also give specific parental instruction. PRE-TWINKLE Level lessons are 30-minutes in length, and designed for young beginners, ages 2-7, to attend each week with their parent. FOUNDATIONAL Level lessons are 30-45 minutes in length, and designed for students in Suzuki Books 1-4. ARTISTRY Level lessons are 45-60 minutes in length, and designed for students in Suzuki Books 4-10. Students beyond Book 10 (into post-grad repertoire) will come for 60-120 minute lessons each week.
- Group Class: Group classes take place Friday evenings. Students come together and support, inspire and learn from one another. All students make up the group, so it is not the same unless every student is there. Try to avoid scheduling commitments that would conflict with group class. Regular attendance at group class will improve and reinforce your child’s skill set. It will further foster and develop your child’s interest in their instrument.
Home Practice
It is the parent’s responsibility to establish a daily practice routine. At home, parents should include each point done in the private lesson at each home practice. Do your best to establish and maintain a positive and focused practice environment. Enjoy the quality time of working in a loving, cooperative manner with your child.
Listening
It is the parent’s responsibility to play the Suzuki recordings at home every day. The Suzuki method works on the model of language learning. Repeated daily listening of the Suzuki recordings will increase your child’s motivation. It will also help your child's progress in lessons to be easy and smooth. Students who listen often and on a daily basis will progress much faster than those who don't.