Frequently Asked Questions
As a parent, am I involved in my child's music lessons?
Parental involvement is essential to the Suzuki approach. The most important ingredients for success are the parent's willingness to devote time to working closely with the child and teacher as well as encouraging enthusiasm and respect in lessons and practice.
Parents are encouraged to read Nurtured By Love by Dr. Suzuki and Teaching from the Balance Point by Ed Kreitman. These books will aid in better understanding the Suzuki philosophy and they may be purchased from www.amazon.com, www.sharmusic.com, borrowed from your local public library, or obtained from your teacher.
Observing a lesson, group class and even a practice session between a parent and child are the best ways to learn about the Suzuki approach.
By purchasing the Suzuki Method Volume One CD and listening to the recordings on a daily basis, you and your child will be well on your way to the learning, confidence and enthusiasm that come with mastering the material.
How does Suzuki education differ from other methods of teaching music to children?
Thoughtful teachers have often used some of the elements listed here, but Suzuki has formulated them in a cohesive approach. Some basic differences are:
- Students begin at a young age and follow a pace that is most comfortable for them while allowing the student to develop in a nurturing and positive learning environment.
- Parents play an active role in the learning process, becoming the home teacher during the week--though no musical background is necessary. A well trained teacher will guide you, step by step, through each new skill so that you will be a confident home teacher.
- Children become comfortable with the instrument before learning to read music. In addition to the participation of the parent, the beginning process of setting up posture is the most important part of a violinists training and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of reading notes. Learning the violin, like many other skills is a long term process.
- Daily listening is central to the learning process.
What if my child is not yet 4 years old and I would like to have them involved with music now?
There are many classes available for young children and their parents that are centered around music. While OPSS offers a very intense, focused program, these other programs are a great way to expose your very young child to music. Such programs are Musikgarten, Music Together and Kindermusik. OPSS recommends a few programs in the area, please contact us if you would like help choosing a program.
Also, simply playing music in your house on a daily basis is one of the best ways to expose your children to music as it introduces them to different sounds and styles as they begin to recognize various instruments and just enjoy music.
