Suzuki Lessons

Suzuki Guitar Information

What are some of the benefits of Suzuki Education?
What is the Suzuki Program like?
What is the Parent Education course like?
What kind of music will my child be learning?
What is the difference between Suzuki and traditional lessons?
But my child “loves music.” Do I really have to complete the Parent Education course and direct his/her practice?
Where can I purchase a guitar for my child?
How old does my child have to be to take Suzuki lessons?
How do I know if I should come in for the free interview?
When and where are the lessons and group classes?
Estimated Costs
Important Dates – Fall 2008 / Spring 2009

From the SAA website:

"More than forty years ago, Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach."

My goal for the students is to instill in them an appreciation for music and the self-esteem to realize that they can achieve their goals (music or otherwise) if they work diligently and properly. The goal is not professional musicianship. Suzuki study is more than music lessons, it is life lessons.

What are some of the benefits of Suzuki Education?

As a result of studying an instrument by the Suzuki method, students will:

1. Learn to equate success with hard work and perseverance.

2. Improve their sense of self esteem.

3. Gain an appreciation for classical music.

4. Improve listening and concentration skills.

5. Interact with peers in a positive environment.

6. Interact with their parents in a positive manner.

Many studies have shown the positive effect that learning a musical instrument can have on a developing brain. The results from one such study are included below:

Source: Music With The Brain In Mind by Eric Jensen, Corwin Press, 2000, p.64

What is the Suzuki Program like?

After parents complete the required Parent Education course (see below), students come twice a week: once to the individual lesson and once to group class. A parent (preferably the same one) is required to attend all lessons and group classes with his/her child, and to actively direct the child’s practice at home. If you cannot set aside 30 minutes per day for uninterrupted practice with your child, please do not enroll in Suzuki Guitar lessons. Your five-year-old will probably only last for 15 minutes, but s/he needs to pick the guitar up daily.

Unalterable Parental Commitments (courtesy of Frank Longay)

1. Practice Daily

2. Listen Daily

3. Continually Strive for Beautiful Tone

4. Continually Strive for Technical Excellence

5. Maintain Review

6. Regularly Attend Group Classes

7. Be On Time

8. Create a Positive and Nurturing Environment

What is the Parent Education course like?

The Parent Education Course takes the place of the child's first four group classes and a number of individual lessons. In the group classes, we discuss the parental commitment and Suzuki philosophy (including strategies for getting your child to practice). In the individual lessons, the parent learns the material up to and including the first Twinkle variation. The parent takes individual lessons in place of the child until he/she can play the first Twinkle variation to the instructor’s satisfaction. An adult with no experience who practices a half-hour EVERY DAY will probably be finished with the playing part of the course in about four lessons.

Required Materials for Parent Education

1. Nurtured by Love - Shinichi Suzuki

2. Ability Development from Age Zero - Shinichi Suzuki

3. Helping Parents Practice - Edmund Sprunger

4. Suzuki Guitar Book and CD, Volume 1

I highly recommend buying these materials before the parent education class. If you choose to wait I will get them for you. High Strung Stringed Instruments usually has a few copies of Nurtured by Love and Ability Development from Age Zero, as well as the Guitar book and CD. For the Sprunger book I would go to Amazon or Shar Music. You may also want to purchase the first four Suzuki Guitar CDs instead of just volume 1.

What is the difference between Suzuki and traditional lessons?

The two primary differences between Suzuki and traditional lessons involve repertoire and parental involvement.

The Suzuki Method is geared towards classical music. The repertoire is carefully selected to gradually introduce the student to new challenges. In traditional lessons, the student is largely responsible for choice of repertoire, which hopefully will help to cultivate the student's interest. In each case I feel that listening to the repertoire being learned is vital to the success of the student. Suzuki students do learn to read music, but reading is delayed for a few years to enable the student to focus on proper technique, tone, and musicianship.

Unlike in Suzuki lessons, parents are not required to practice with their children for traditional lessons.

Choosing a quality guitar is vital to the success of all students.

What kind of music will my child be learning?

Your child will be learning classical guitar. The pieces in the Suzuki repertoire have been carefully selected to slowly introduce to concepts and challenges to the student. If you are unfamiliar with classical guitar, I recommend listening to the following:

Suggested Listening

Christopher Parkening - Simple Gifts

Pepe Romero - Concierto de Aranjuez (Rodrigo)

Julian Bream - Plays the Music of Spain

John Williams - The Guitar is the Song

Anything by Andres Segovia

If you do not enjoy any of the recordings above, it will be difficult for you to regularly play the Suzuki CDs for your child. In this case, Suzuki Guitar is probably not for you. I recommend the Suzuki method for any instrument.

But my child “loves music.” Do I really have to complete the Parent Education course and direct his/her practice?

YES! Your child may “love music,” but no five-year-old has the desire to sit and practice such a difficult task as learning to play an instrument unless you help make it fun!

Where can I purchase a guitar for my child?

After you have completed the Parent Education course, I will order a guitar for your child. PLEASE DO NOT BUY YOUR CHILD A GUITAR UNTIL I INSTRUCT YOU TO DO SO! My students are required to play both high quality and appropriately sized instruments. If your guitar came from Toys 'R Us, Walmart, Target, or equivalent, please take it back: it is a toy and not suitable for Suzuki Guitar lessons.

I have high quality, child-sized guitars available for rent for $25/month with a $200 deposit.

How old does my child have to be to take Suzuki lessons?

I accept Suzuki students as young as 3 years of age. There is no upper age limit. I accept traditional students ages 12 and up.

How do I know if I should come in for the free interview?

If you think there is a possibility of meeting the time commitment required of the parents to be in my Suzuki program, please call or email me to request a free interview. In the interview, I spend about 10 minutes working with your child to assess whether or not s/he is ready for Suzuki lessons. If so, I will give you the first homework assignment. I will then be available for about 20 minutes to discuss the Suzuki program with you.

When and where are the lessons and group classes?

Group classes meet Sunday afternoons at Asbury United Methodist Church. Individual lessons can be scheduled either Tuesday or Friday afternoons at Triangle Music School.

Individual Lessons                    * Triangle Music School
                                                4815 Hillsborough Rd
                                                Durham, NC 27705

Group Lessons Asbury United Methodist Church

806 Clarendon Street

Durham, NC 27705

*Individual lessons may be given at the student’s home for a per lesson surcharge of $1.50/mile from the instructor’s house to yours, with a $5 minimum.

Estimated Costs

1. Parent Education Course — $290 (6 lessons and 4 group classes, the vol. 1 CD, and all books)

2. Remainder of Fall 2008 Tuition — $460 (11 lessons and 13 group classes)

3. Guitar — $500-$700 (or $25/month with a $200 deposit)

4. Stool — $50*

5. Footstool — $15

5. Theory Book — $10

*The child’s chair/stool must also be appropriately sized. I can order this for you if necessary.

Checks should be made out to me and not to Triangle Music School.

Important Dates – Fall 2008 / Spring 2009

Fall Recital – December 13, 2008

Spring Semester Begins – January 11, 2009