Instrumental Music Program
Suzuki Violin Website
Welcome New Suzuki Home
Teachers!
This page will give you, the parent, an
outline of the material covered at the first four parent
orientation classes.
According to the Suzuki method of instruction, parents serve a
vital role in the child’s instruction. They become the home
teacher, must attend all lessons, practice with the child and
learn to play the violin at a remedial level.
But before the child begins to attend the
lessons with the parent, orientation classes are given to prepare
the parent for their special role. Lessons are scheduled during
the school day.
This page will present the material that is covered and is meant
as a supplement or resource, not as a replacement for the
required parent classes.
I. Greetings and introductions of participants and teacher.
II. Mechanics of the program:
a. Lessons convene weekly and are semi-private.
b. Group lessons also meet every other week.
c. String students join the Lower School orchestra in grades 4 and 5.
d. Performances include: spring concert, chapel performances, Country Fair, vespers and Lovefeasts.
III. Suzuki Triangle: Teacher-Parent Child (what their responsibilities are in the Suzuki method)
a. Teacher: Trains parent to be an effective home teacher to the child; must teach child to play with beautiful tone, technique and interpretation.
b. Parent: Practices daily with the child. They must:
i. Create and environment for successful learning.
ii. Play recordings for the child to learn the repertoire by ear.
iii. Assist child in memorizing songs.
iv. Teach child technique through regular practice (fingers, bow technique, etc.).
c. Child: The child is responsible for being a child; as such, he/she will learn from his/her environment
IV. History of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and his method
V. Materials to buy:
a. Parent Education Course: Workbook III by Jeanne Luedke
b. Ability from Age Zero by S. Suzuki
c. Suzuki Method Book One
d. Suzuki Method Book One Recording
e. Six minute blank endless cassette tape
VI. Assignment
I. Review of previous week’s class and readingsII. Suzuki’s Philosophy on children and on learning to play an instrument:
a. All children possess talent and can learn to play an instrument at a high level of proficiency.
b. A child can learn to play an instrument in the same manner in which they learned to speak their native language: the “Mother Tongue Method.”
c. As a child learned to talk through learning from parents/adults around them, so too they will learn the violin from them.
d. Children will need a great deal of patience, repetition and hard work in order to succeed.
e. An adult (the home teacher) must help the child to practice and to establish a routine of listening to the Suzuki repertoire tapes.
III. Assignment
Parent Orientation Class Three
I. Review of previous week’s class and readings
II. Practicing with your child: the parent is the home teacher.
a. “Every child improves depending on his parents.” S. Suzuki
b. “You only practice on the days that you eat.” S. Suzuki
III. Suzuki parents:
a. Are their child’s most important teacher
b. Must read and study in order to improve their teaching ability in regards to their child
c. Must learn to practice with correct and precise techniques; it is difficult to unlearn things learned incorrectly
IV. Hand out Suzuki violin rental forms
V. Assignment
I. Review of previous week’s class and readings
II. Establishing an environment conducive to learning.
a. Parents should approach children without anger or patience. Suzuki quotes:
i. “Creating a desire to learn is the parent’s duty.”
ii. “I often tell parents that they are much too demanding towards their own children.”
iii. “Parents should reflect upon their arrogance”
III. What kind of environment helps children learn?
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