This method of teaching
violin originated from Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki
(1898–1998) in the mid-20th century, As he realized that learn to speak their
native language with ease, he utilised this basic principle of language
acquisition to the learning of music, music being another language.
Below is an
article reproduced from this site
which lists the pros and cons of the Suzuki method:
Early beginning. Students begin very early,
even as young as age 3.
Pros
1. The early years are
often considered prime for developing muscle coordination and mental
processing.
2. Children may have a greater chance of quickly learning an instrument.
Cons
1. Some educators
believe children age 3-5 is too young to begin violin since the student may not really understand what is going
on. Coupled with the high demand for structured practice, this may be detrimental in their musical progress.
Suzuki violin method uses common repertoire and a
standardized curriculum.
Pros
1. This enables group
practice and performance because all the students play the same songs.
2. For a home with
multiple Suzuki students this can ease financial burden of buying books as each
sibling uses the same materials.
Cons
1. Many of the Suzuki
songs used are of the same style and time period. Unless a Suzuki teacher is
flexible and supplements with outside material, students will be limited in
their playing styles.
2. Although
non-competitiveness and positive peer interaction is encouraged, it might be
easy for students to compare themselves to others around them who are playing
in the same books but are further ahead than themselves.
Review of past Suzuki songs takes the place of the
traditional etude or theory books.
Suzuki believed that
every technical problem or difficulty that a student needs to learn can be
taught right in the context of their song book repertoire. Repetition and
review is key in the Suzuki violin method to mastering songs and moving on to
the next level.
Pros
1. Repeating and reviewing
music can serve as wonderful building blocks to new music.
2. Constant review of
music facilitates group lessons and performance.
3. Going back to the
basics (simpler, familiar music) allows students to easily work on the
fundamentals of proper form, technique, and intonation.
4. Etude and theory
books can sometimes be non-motivating for children. Learning technique under
the guise of a fun song is much more appealing and motivating for children.
Cons
1. Students may miss
out on building a repertoire of many wonderful and useful etudes that have been
written for the exact purpose of teaching students a specific technique.
2. Although reviewed
frequently, repetition of techniques may not be enough in the context of a fun
song. Etudes are designed to give student ample practice by repeating a
specific technique over and over again.
3. Etudes give variety
to practice and lesson time, and can serve as wonderful warm-ups.
Suzuki Students practice and perform frequently in a group
setting.
Pros
1. It is beneficial
for students to hear and see other students playing the violin, especially
playing the music and songs they themselves are learning.
2. When playing in a
group, a student learns valuable skills; keeping perfect rhythm and beat,
following a leader, and to keep playing or 'catch up' when they make a
mistakes.
3. Students meet and
become friends with other youth that have a common interest in music.
4. Students become
very comfortable in performing with their group. Performing becomes a
non-stressful, enjoyable event.
Cons
1. Depending on the
size and playing ability of the group, certain techniques of a student when
played poorly, like intonation and proper form, may go unnoticed and
uncorrected by a teacher.
2. Student may develop
a tendency of robotic playing at the expense of their individual musicianship.
3. Performing always
as a group may make a student dependent on the ability of others to perform. As
a result, they may not develop the ability to perform as well as a soloist.
Suzuki violin method teaches students how to play violin
by ear (listening to recordings and other violinists), not by reading music.
Pros
1. Students develop a
strong ear. This means they are able to listen to music and replicate it.
2. When students do
begin learning note reading they have already developed the ability to hear
phrasing and predict the melodic direction of a song.
Cons
1. Learning music
first by ear and later by note reading may compromise sight reading ability.
2. Students may
develop the tendency to be dependent on others and not take ownership of their
practicing and learning.
3. Students may
struggle to develop their own style and interpretation of music because they
are always copying others, and recordings.
Parents are very involved at lessons. They take notes and
attend every lesson. They then become the at-home violin teacher.
Pros
1. For the very
youngest students, parental involvement is necessary.
2. Parental
involvement boosts student's self-esteem and confidence.
3. Parent helps
student to stay on track during the week and make practice time more effective
between lessons.
Cons
1. Students may become
slack in taking responsibility and listening to their violin teacher if their
parent is always taking notes at lessons and directing their practicing at
home.
2. Students may be
less likely to take ownership for their own learning, and as result could lack
intrinsic motivation.
3. Older students may
become dependent on teaching styles better suited for younger students.
My take is that I will
choose the Suzuki method to start my child on the instrument. Due to the strong
parental involvement, it also encourages the child’s sense of security and
promotes bonding. The delayed reading 3 allows the students to focus on
learning the instrument in entirety without having to struggle with note
reading at the same time.
List of centres in Singapore
Other centres that
teach violin to preschoolers
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