The Suzuki Method.

Dr. Suzuki formulated his method from the simple observation that all healthy, hearing children learn to speak their native language at a very early age. With perfect accuracy they are able to learn the dialect, pronunciation, and inflection used in their own environment. Suzuki observed the ease with which children learn to speak. They hear thousands of repetitions of one word and add on new words one at a time through hearing and repetition, unencumbered by harsh criticism or fear of failure. Because young children learn to speak complex languages, it only makes sense that they can learn other complex skills as well. Why not learn skills as simply and naturally as learning to speak.

Thousands of children world-wide are developing considerable abilities in such complex areas as music, language, and mathematics; starting as early as the age of three. In North America, where the Suzuki Method is best known as an approach to music education, many have become familiar with the sight of young musicians, often school-age or pre-school age children, playing with an astonishing level of technique and musicianship. The Suzuki method is now used to teach bass, cello, flute, guitar, harp, organ, piano, recorder, Suzuki Early Childhood Education, Suzuki in Schools, trumpet, viola, violin, and voice.

“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 the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited.”

Dr. Suzuki’s fundamental belief is that all children possess natural ability that grows according to the degree to which they are nurtured (education). In Talent Education, ability is fostered by parents and teachers working together with children. Parents create a home environment conducive to learning, structured listening, and practice activities. In a sense, parents are the real teachers. The professional teacher acts as a mentor to both parents and children, guiding them in learning activities and helping them to overcome obstacles.

It is never too early to begin music education using the Suzuki Method. Training may begin as early as age zero by means of exposing children to selected recordings of good music at home until the children, even as infants, begin to recognize them.

Formal training with a musical instrument may begin at age three when children learn the basics of position and posture. A step-by-step progression is followed until they can play simple songs, then major works.

Although former Suzuki students are performing on concert stages and in major orchestras world-wide, the production of professional musicians is not the primary goal of Talent Education. Rather, Talent Education seeks to develop the hearts and minds of children with results beyond music itself including increased self-discipline, higher sensitivity, improved academic skills and a sense of confidence and self-esteem.