Music has been immersed in our society since the beginning of time. It is as important as math, science, history and language. Kings and Queens wanted music during their social engagements, whether it was someone singing, playing chamber music or an orchestra performing. Everyone has the right and the aptitude to learn to play music. My goal is to enrich our student’s lives and help them to develop into good people by giving them the opportunity to succeed musically as early as possible.
That is only a small part of my teaching philosophy. Teaching music is so much more than just learning the notes on the page. It is an avenue for expression while developing sensitivity, discipline and endurance in life.
I mainly teach using the Suzuki Method, however, I have found that as every student has a different learning style a variety of teaching methods works best. This enables me to give each student a full and well rounded experience.
About the Suzuki Method
The Suzuki Method was developed in the 20th century by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. He observed that all children learn to speak their native language by imitating and repeating their parents. Building on this observation, three areas of the method were developed: A philosophy, a curriculum and techniques.
Philosophy
- Every Child Can Learn
- Creating an environment where children can succeed
- Using the Method as a tool to create good human beings rather than train professional musicians
Curriculum
- The Various volumes of the Suzuki Method are a set of well thought out musical pieces. Each instrument (i.e violin, viola, cello or bass) all have a set number of volumes with a variety of musical pieces.
- Skills are added little by little and refined while learning good music rather than dry exercises. Students start with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and end with a major work that is geared towards their particular instrument.
- All Suzuki students play the same basic repertoire which is great for learning how to play together in group class. Later on the repertoire is different for each instrument to refine the musicians skills and techniques.
Techniques
- The Suzuki Triangle – Student, Parent and Teacher working together toward a common goal
- Parental Involvement/Parent as the home teacher
- Delaying Note Reading – the eyes are free to look at what the hands are doing rather than deciphering symbols on a page
- Listening to recordings of music being learned and that have been learned.
- Imitating the Recording – Learning how to choose notes with listening games
- Stressing the importance of review and repetition to build up skill level.
“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.”
– Shinichi Suzuki