About Suzuki
Every Child Can!
Every child has ability. The goal of the Suzuki Method is to develop this ability to a high level. Dr. Shinichi Suzuki of Japan originated this method after recognizing the fact that children learn to speak their native language with great ease. He took this concept and applied it to teaching music to young children. Through an approach of listening and repetition, and with much encouragement, students can reach a high level of musical ability.
In addition to developing a child’s musical skills, the Suzuki Method also teaches focus, concentration and sensitivity. Children gain self-confidence through successful study and performance. They acquire memory skills and the ability to apply learning techniques to other areas.
It was Dr. Suzuki’s hope that through the study of music and this training of ability, children would become noble human beings.
Each child enrolled in the program receives an individual lesson and a group class each week. Group classes reinforce performance, rhythm training, music theory, music history, chamber music, and note-reading skills. Children participate in solo recitals, group concerts and graduation ceremonies. Suzuki students from the program give numerous performances throughout the year for the community and civic organizations.
Cheri's Music Studio offers Suzuki lessons in piano and recorder
for students three years old through adults.
Cheri Powers is an active member in the
Suzuki Association of the Americas
and the American Recorder Society.
Ready To Start Learning?
Basic Ingredients of the Suzuki Method
ENCOURAGEMENT OF AN EARLY START
Ideally, babies begin to observe lessons or listen to the recordings as young as a few months old. By the time they are three years old, they are usually ready to start on their instrument. However, students can and do start at a later age as well.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
An important ingredient in the child’s success is the parent’s willingness to devote regular time assisting with home practice. A parent attends every lesson and is given careful instructions on how to practice with the child until independence can be developed.
LISTENING
Students listen daily to recordings of music they are studying. The recordings serve as aural models and create desire in the children to learn familiar pieces. Children are encouraged to attend concerts and to listen to recordings of masterworks.
OBSERVATlON
Being part of the Suzuki program provides an enhanced learning environment. Children enjoy being with other children during both group and lesson time. Lessons are scheduled so that there are opportunities to attend other students’ lessons in addition to one’s own. This is a valuable aid to the parent’s understanding of what is being taught and keeps expectations realistic.
STEP-BY-STEP MASTERY
Each skill is broken down into small steps, which are easily mastered before continuing, insuring continual feelings of success. Emphasis is placed on the degree of mastery the student develops rather than the pace with which he/she moves through the literature.
REPETITION
Students review and refine pieces they have learned as their ability increases. This effectively strengthens memory, technical skills and musical expression. Group lessons reinforce this process.
MUSIC READING
Notation and music reading are introduced to the student after his/her aural and technical skills are developed to a sufficient level. As the students’ reading skills are developed, they are able to play chamber music, accompany and become members of local performing groups.
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki was born on October 17, 1898, in Nagoya, Japan. He was one of twelve children and his father owned a violin factory. Shinichi and his brothers and sisters played near the factory and saw instruments being made, but the children never realized what beautiful sounds could come from a violin. When he was seventeen, Shinichi heard a recording of Schubert’s Ave Maria, played by a famous violinist named Mischa Elman. He was amazed that a violin could make such a beautiful tone because he had thought it was just a toy! After this, Shinichi brought a violin home from the factory and taught himself to play. He would listen to a recording and try to imitate what he heard. A few years later, he took violin lessons from a teacher in Tokyo. Then, when he was 22 years old, he went to Germany and studied with a famous teacher named Karl Klingler. Shinichi also met his wife Waltraud in Germany. They married and moved back to Japan, where he began to teach violin and play string quartet concerts with his brothers. Shinichi had always loved children and became very interested in teaching them. He thought that children could learn music just as they learned to speak—starting when they were very young and hearing music all around them. He believed that all children have the talent to learn if they are taught well by loving parents and teachers. Dr. Suzuki’s young students learned to play very well and everyone was amazed when they performed. No one had ever seen so many young children playing music so beautifully. At first people thought all the students were musical geniuses. They did not understand Suzuki’s idea that all children can learn if they are taught in the right way. For many years Dr. Suzuki continued to work on his teaching method. He chose music that would help children learn to play. He even wrote some pieces himself (like the Twinkle Variations, Allegro, Perpetual Motion, and Etude). Teachers from many countries came to Japan to learn about his method of teaching, and Dr. Suzuki and his students traveled to play in other countries. Over the years, more and more teachers and parents became interested in Suzuki’s ideas and began to teach children with his method. Now there are thousands of children around the world who have learned to play instruments through the Suzuki Method. Through his teaching, Dr. Suzuki showed teachers and parents everywhere what children could do. He also believed that hearing and playing great music helped children become good people with beautiful, peaceful hearts. Dr. Suzuki hoped that these children would help bring peace and understanding to the world.
Get in Touch
Cheri’s Music Studio is in SW Longmont. However, it is possible to arrange for me to visit your home as well.