Why Suzuki Works.
Staying on the Path to Success.
There is more than one way to perform tasks or learn skills, no matter what you are facing. One key to success is finding a way that works for you and being consistent. Learning an instrument is a great way for children to develop cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities. Piano, in particular, is an instrument commonly chosen by parents due to its versatility and accessibility. However, the traditional approach to teaching piano may not always be the best fit for children, especially those who are very young or have no prior experience with music. When teaching piano to children, the Edmonton Suzuki Piano School embraces the Suzuki Method and doesn’t divert from its proven successful path.
The Suzuki Method Explained
The Suzuki Method is a popular approach to teaching music to young children that emphasizes the importance of starting at a young age and creating a nurturing and positive learning environment. It was developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist and teacher, in the mid-20th century. The Suzuki Method is based on the belief that every child can learn to play an instrument.
Why The Suzuki Method Works
The Suzuki Method is a great way to teach children piano because it focuses on ear training, repetition, positive reinforcement, parent involvement, and creativity. By starting children on an instrument at a young age and creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment, the Suzuki Method can help children to develop a strong foundation in music and piano playing that will serve them well for a lifetime.
Listen First
The Suzuki Method focuses heavily on ear training, which is the ability to recognize and reproduce musical sounds - also termed “learning by ear.” This means that instead of relying solely on reading sheet music, children learn to play by listening and imitating. This is a great way to develop a child's musical ear and improve their ability to hear and reproduce melodies accurately. This is important for piano students because it helps them develop a good sense of pitch, timing, and expression.
Slow and Steady
Another key feature of the Suzuki Method is repetition and memorization. Beginner Suzuki piano students learn pieces by ear and continue to practice and refine them. This helps to develop muscle memory and reinforces the student's understanding of the music. Pieces are introduced in a gradual progression, building on skills and concepts that have been previously learned. Students develop their skills at their own pace, playing a piece confidently before moving on to more complex pieces. The gradual progression helps increase motivation, as students can see their progress over time. This allows children to gain a strong foundation in music and piano. As a result, Suzuki students can play with greater confidence and accuracy, and they can focus more on musical expression.
Family Focussed
Parents are actively involved in the learning process with Suzuki. They attend lessons with their child, take notes, and help their child with practice at home. This allows parents to be a part of their child's musical development and provides extra support for their learning. This creates a supportive learning environment and helps to reinforce the skills and techniques taught in the lessons. Additionally, parental involvement can help build a strong bond between parent and child and foster a lifelong love of music. To learn more about the benefits of a family-centred atmosphere, visit our recent post-Musically Bonded: Creating a Family-Friendly Music Community.
Focus on Fun
The Suzuki Method emphasizes the importance of enjoying music and being creative. This can foster a lifelong love of music and inspire children to continue learning and exploring their musical abilities. We explore the importance of making lessons fun in our recent blog post, Bravo or Burnout (add link), if you want to explore this concept more. Suzuki places much emphasis on positive reinforcement and encouragement. Children are praised for their efforts and progress rather than criticized for mistakes. This creates a positive learning environment where children feel supported and motivated to continue learning.
Form & Function
Proper posture, hand position, and playing technique are emphasized. This is important for piano students because it helps to develop good habits and prevent injury. By focusing on technique from the beginning, Suzuki students can develop a strong foundation to serve them well as they progress to more advanced music. Suzuki families are encouraged to purchase a good quality acoustic piano, adjustable bench, and footstool. You can visit our supplies page to learn what supplies a student needs to practice at home.