Hi,
I plan on introducing piano to my children (4/6). After reading about various methods and browsing through some books in shops like "Keyboards Unlimited" and "Nadines", I feel before playing the instrument its good to listen to the music (any kind will do, but piano in particular) for some time. I was wondering if anyone who is aware of the Suzuki method (maybe their child learnt it), could shed some light on Books/CDs that one could invest on to learn through the method.
I believe this method works by beginning to listening to the CDs everyday (for 10-15 minutes) - and the books would eventually come handy when you learn the method, so buying them would give me a chance to browse them early on before the children learn. I believe in ear training and I feel this method starts by introducing this basic principle in learning the instrument.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to share. Also moms, I am new to this forum, but I really wish I had joined years ago,
I personally teach piano and don't like Suzuki method because many times they are hearing and playing by ear and not learning to read the notes. But I am interested in your replys.
My children both took Suzuki, I highly recommend it. They both have a great ear for music today (they are 31 & 35) and both have a genuine love for many genres of music. It is a great addition to a child's education.
I will say though, that you need to be prepared to be very involved in the process. You need to have them hearing tapes and practicing judiciously or the system fails. It was a great experience and will draw you and your children together. Go for it, it is worth it!
Hi H.
I am a Suzuki mom of two children...one does violin and the other piano. We go to the Suzuki Institute of Dallas in Richardson (Arapaho and Custer). I would recommend the method for piano or any instrument as long as you the parent have the time and inclination to devote to practice and making a long term commitment. It is very parent intensive and not a drop off music class method! You can get the CDs and books but you will need a teacher to actually teach you and your child bc it s not a DIY method. However with a teacher and listening to the music each day and practicing for 20-30 mins a day your child will make very good progress. Both my children play very well by ear...in fact my violin kid can pretty much pick out tunes on any instrument he touches. Read the book "Nurtured By Love" by Shinichi Suzuki who began this method of learning music in Japan. It will give you a good idea of what to expect in a suzuki class. Also call the Institute in Dallas and go and observe the piano private and group lessons with your children.
The other thing I wanted to clarify is that Suzuki is very time intensive...not just in practicing but also that true suzuki invloves a private lesson, a group lesson and separate theory classes (at least at the institute) so be prepared to make music a priority for your family. It cuts out a number of other activities that your child could do bc 2 days in the week end up being devoted just to drive to suzuki. If you do Suzuki piano the teacher will start you out with the Piano Book 1 CD (also available on amazon) and book.
After reading some of the responses I wanted to clarify also that at the Institute the kids are TAUGHT to READ music as soon as they are able to play most of Book 1 in any instrument! Also they have to take theory lessons onsite apart from class and they work in theory books at their level. Kids also sit the state theory exams and do very well. Both my kids can play far ahead of their reading ability but we spend 5-10 mins a day of practice just in reading and playing. Both their teachers insist on this. Both my kid play book 2 level on piano and violin. I am confident that their reading will catch up to their playing in a year or so.
Good luck!
Hi
I am an experienced piano teacher and have had students who have done the suzuki method and while I feel it's good to an extent, the problem with many students who start with suzuki is that they do not want to learn the real basics of piano such as note reading and theory because they have been taught to play by "rote" (memory). This becomes a problem later on when they want to learn another instrument or pick up other pieces of music. The traditional method can be a fun way to learn and if you interview other teachers who have been recommnended by parents, you will find a teacher who is popular and has good chemistry with the kids and makes it fun. Some local music stores have music schools with great qualified teachers. At the ages they are at, get them involved in some sort of group music classes at the local rec dept or continuing ed and see just where their interest level is first. You could also have your 6 year old start now as I start students as early as 5 years of age. if you find that after a month or two it's a battle with practicing, it may not be their cup of tea.
suzuki method takes a lot a parental involvement but also I would think you would need a piano teacher. there are teachers out there who teach using the suzuki method. here is a list of dfw piano teachers you would have to conact each one to see if they teacher using the suzuki method. www.dallasfortworthpianolessons.com
I teach piano and I don't personally use the suzuki method but it is a good method.
My son is 15 now but when he was around 4 years old, we had him in piano lessons. He had taken Kindermusic classes from this lady who also taught piano. She taught the Suzuki method which I had never heard of at the time and thought it was kind of silly. But I went with it. My son likedit a lot. It really suited his personality to hear something and then play. He did very well. We didn't take lessons for very long because he got involved in other stuff and something had to go, but while we were doing it, it worked. It is very time intensive I remember that. I had more work and involvement that I thought I would. My advise...go for it if you have the time. It works.
