What is the Suzuki Method?
Dr. Suzuki preferred to call his violin teaching method talent education. He made the startling discovery that virtually all children learn to speak their native language, no matter how difficult. This led him to design a violin teaching method that mimicked the language learning process.
Ideas behind this method are:
- Listening and watching others play
- Delaying note reading until tone production is established
- Parental assistance at lessons and at home
- Repetition, repetition, repetition
- Loving encouragement
I think this method is especially good for learning instruments like the violin, on which basic tone production is difficult. This method also works better for the very young than traditional violin methods.
For more information on the Suzuki Violin Method, go to the Suzuki Association of the Americas website.