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Suzuki Method
My teaching is based on the Suzuki Method which enables children to start playing the violin already from the age of 4. The lessons are a combination of individual and group lessons. In the individual lesson, we develop in a playful way a well-founded violin technique, whereby the individuality of the student is very important to me. We focus on the joy of music and the relationship with the student.
The group lessons have a very motivating effect on the children, there they learn from each other and grow as a team. The goal is to support the children through music in their personality development and to give them self-confidence.
"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."
Shinichi Suzuki
The Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki (1898 - 1998) developed a teaching philosophy based on his belief that children could learn music in the same way they learn language. He called his method the mother-tongue approach, though today it is most commonly referred to as the Suzuki Method. The basic principles are as follows:
The same way as every child has the ability to learn language, every child can learn the ability to learn music if given the proper environment
EVERY CHILD CAN
EARLY START
Children learn their language from the moment they are born. While it is never too late to begin learning an instrument, the child benefits greatly from being exposed to music from a young age.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
The parents play an essential role in the Suzuki Method. Suzuki spoke of a triangle between the student, the teacher and the parents, in which each member contributes equally. The parents observe the child’s lessons, practise at home with the child, provide opportunities to listen to music and enrich the child’s musical environment by attending concerts together.
Children learn to speak by imitating the sounds in their environment. Listening to music every day is essential to develop an awareness of the “vocabulary” of music: a beautiful tone, accurate rhythm and intonation, phrasing, and musical expression.
LISTENING
LEARNING BY EAR
Children learn to read and write only after they have achieved the ability to speak with ease. Similarly, Suzuki students learn beginning repertoire by ear, enabling them to concentrate more fully on the sounds and physical skills involved in playing the violin. Listening to the pieces they are going to learn is therefore a crucial part of the learning process. Once the child has reached school age also the note reading will be part of the lessons.
Just as a child must repeat a word many times before it is mastered, repetition is essential to learn the skills involved in playing the violin. When children learn new words, they eagerly use them. In a similar manner, Suzuki students continue to practice the repertoire they have learned. This reinforces technical skills, develops memory, and provides opportunities to experiment with musical expression. Most importantly, through continued review, students become accustomed to the feeling of playing with ease.
REVIEW
GROUP LESSONS
Additional to the weekly individual lesson, the child visits regular group lessons. There, the child learns to play in an ensemble right from the start. In addition to musical skills, the social component is also promoted there. The group lessons have a very motivating effect on the children, there they learn from each other and grow as a team.
Benefits of the Suzuki method include improved concentration, memorisation, self-awareness and sensitivity towards other people