About the Suzuki Method
'Beautiful tone - beautiful heart' - Shinichi Suzuki
Rachel believes passionately in the value of a high quality music education, in nurturing happy, resilient and successful individuals.
In the Suzuki method, here’s how this happens:
- Initial observation of individual and group lessons by parent/potential practice partner and child
- A positive, nurturing learning environment. both in lessons and at home
- For young children - close involvement of the practice partner - they have a few lessons first; take notes in lessons, and supervise daily practice
- Ongoing education and support for the practice partner
- Regular daily listening to recordings of tunes being learnt
- Learning by ear to begin with, to establish physical ease and listening skills
- Mindful repetition of selected material
- Detailed attention given to basic posture, technique and tone-production
- Routine lesson structure, step-by step approach and a common repertoire that all children can play together
- Weekly individual lessons and monthly group sessions and informal performance opportunities
- We always aim for mastery, every small step of the way
- Success is also measured in our smiles and joy in music-making!
A core element of the Suzuki approach is our community approach to music-making. From an early age, pupils gain enormous pleasure from playing together in their group sessions; learning from and being inspired by each other; playing fun games and improvising and creating.
Pupils and parents/caregivers also have the opportunity to make friends and network, over tea and home-baked goodies!
Note-reading is also gradually introduced to pupils, firstly in the form of simple duets with the teacher on a regular basis - and later, with lively ensemble music in our group sessions.
Eventually, pupils will be able to participate well in the wider musical community, through having developed their visual reading skills in addition to the aural and kinaesthetic aspects of their learning.
Our philosophy is that whether or not pupils eventually become professional musicians, they develop a life-long passion for playing the cello and making music with others; an appreciation of music and the arts; and also reap the benefits of the many transferable skills present in learning to play a musical instrument to a high level.
Read more about the Suzuki Method.
Recommended Reading
Nurtured by Love by Shin'ichi Suzuki - the philosophy of the Suzuki Method, and its origins
Ability Development from Age Zero by Shin'ichi Suzuki - 'If this book becomes a light of hope for mothers (parents!) who love their children and wish for them to grow up wonderfully, I could not be happier'. S. Suzuki
Beyond the Music Lesson, Habits of Successful Suzuki Families by Christine Goodner - a practical guide to helping children be successful in learning a musical instrument
Positive Practice by Christine Goodner - a useful guide and support for parents in helping children practice
Two websites which are excellent in promoting understanding of the Suzuki method, and in providing inspiration and support for parents:
An excellent article in The Strad, giving tips on how to integrate sight-reading into your daily practice
Learning Strategies for Musical Success by Michael Griffin - a fascinating and well-researched exploration on how excellence in learning music can and should be achievable for everyone, if it's approached in the right way
'Practice = Progress = Motivation = Progress = Joy!'