Suzuki+Approach+to+Music+Education

=**//__Objectives__//**= By the time you finish reading and participating with the activities of this page, you will be able to answer the following in your own words:

1. What is "Talent Education"? Where did it come from and how does it work? 2. Describe the role of the teacher, student and parent within the Suzuki Method. 3. How can you incorporate the Suzuki method in you teaching? Give three examples. = = = = = = =__Historical Perspective__= = =

When and How it Began

 * The Suzuki Movement began at the end of World War II (1945), in Matsumoto, by Shin'ichi Suzuki. (Landers, 3)**

-Suzuki's first experiment at the Imperial Conservatory in Tokyo.

"A father who had taught his son to play the violin brought the young man of 18 to audition for Suzuki. Suzuki was surprised at the great resemblance between the father and son in dialect, manner of speaking, greeting habits, laughter, posture, movements, and even the strengths and shortcomings in their violin playing. So impressed was Suzuki with this obvious parental influence on a son that he decided to teach children, stressing cooperation with their parents. 4 year old Toshiya Eto and 3 year old Koji Toyodo became his first very young pupils under this new approach." (Landers, 3)

-Suzuki's life changing experience that greatly influenced his educational philosophy.
 * Who? Shin'ichi Suzuki and his sister's family
 * What? To avoid the bombings in Tokyo
 * Where? The mountains of Kiso-Fukushima
 * When? During World War II
 * How? He became ill because of malnutrition, and had much time for observance and reflection.

What happened? "He observed his sister's babies as they learned to talk. Through recollections of these two incidents---the similarities he saw between the father and the son and his observance of the naturalness of the babies' learning of language---he realized that children could be taught music in ways similar to how they learn to imitate their parents in other skills." (Landers, 3)

-Suzuki's chance to apply his "Talent Education" philosophies

He modeled his method, which he called "Talent Education", after his theories of natural language acquisition, which he discovered in the mountains and witnessed with his 18 year old student and father. After World War II, "Suzuki felt pity for the children who suffered during the war; this feeling was instrumental in his decision to devote his life to helping children find happiness through music. Looking for a place to open a school, he was invited to Matsumoto, a city at the base of the Japanese Alps, by Mrs. Tamiki Mori, a singer who had taught with him at the Imperial Conservatory. She asked Suzuki to become a teacher at a school there in 1945." (Landers, 3)

__Principles of the Talent Education Method__
For more information and explanations on each principle, reference: Landers, Ray. //The Talent Education School of Shinichi Suziki: an Analysis: Application of Its Philosophy and Methods to All Areas of Instruction//. 3rd ed. Smithtown, New York: Exposition, 1984. Print.
 * ====1. Emphasis on motivation====
 * ====2. Emphasis on listening====
 * ====3. Cooperation of the parent in the student's learning process====
 * ====4. Learning through imitation====
 * ====5. Learning without the reading of notes in the first stages of training====
 * ====6. Performance from memory with additional emphasis on special sight-reading materials====
 * ====7. Constant review of previously learned repretoire====
 * ====8. Use of games====
 * ====9. Perfection of one piece before starting a new one====
 * ====10. Learning the repertoire in the order presented in the method without any omissions====
 * ====11. Learning on excellent repertoire====
 * ====12. Learning technique through the repertoire====
 * ====13. Individuality====
 * ====14. Learning at each student's own rate of development with emphasis on patience, praise and constructive, positive corrections with much repetition====
 * ====15. Emphasis on slow practice and final performance in correct tempo====
 * ====16. Emphasis on constant performance====
 * ====17. Use of an organized instructional system that incorporated semiprivate lessons, group classes, parent meetings, and recitals====
 * ====18. Use of instruments of varying sizes====
 * ====19. Use of qualified instructors====
 * ====20. Attendance at an annual summer institute====
 * ====21. Graduation System====

=__How to Teach the Suzuki Method__=

[[image:shinichi-suzuki1.jpg align="right" caption="Cathy Lee and Dr. Suzuki (suzukiassociation.org)"]]

 * The Suzuki books move progressively, For example, a students cannot move to book 2 before completing book 1.
 * Each new exercise presents/teaches one or two new skills.
 * The Suzuki method proceeds in steps.
 * Reinforce already learned material. Review previously mastered material.
 * Vibrato, tone production, and position studies are taught, using early pieces.
 * Completion of the goals is definable in terms of observable new behaviors.
 * The teacher gives immediate positive feedback to the student on the success of efforts.
 * Undesirable behaviors are ignored.
 * Allow the student to progress at his or her own rate.
 * Music notation is taught separately and after book 3. Students are to memorize all materials.
 * Observation of other students, teachers and parents is encouraged.

Principles of Study and Guidance
//Four Essential Points for Teachers and Parents// 1. "The child should listen to the reference recordings every day at home to develop musical sensitivity. Rapid progress depends on this listening." (Suzuki, 6) 2. "Tonalization, or the production of a beautiful tone, should be stressed in the lesson and at home." (Suzuki, 6) 3. "Constant attention should be given to accurate intonation, correct posture, and the proper bow hold." (Suzuki, 6) 4. "Parents and teachers should strive to motivate the child so he will enjoy practicing correctly at home" (Suzuki, 6)

//Education for musical sensitivity// -Listening to recordings of material that is being studied results in rapid progress. //Tonalization for beautiful tone// -Producing a quality tone should always be included in every lesson and in practice at home. //Group lessons// -Having advanced and younger students play together at least twice a month. //Private lessons to develop ability// -Students are not only to learn the notes and bowing of the piece, but they are also to work on tone and musicality.

"Song of the Wind" Example (#3 in book 1)
The use of the third finger on the A and E string consecutively and the use of multiple bow lifts are introduced. media type="youtube" key="377YQ6WqggA" height="390" width="640"

"Go Tell Aunt Rhody" Example (#4 in book 1)
Introduces a long bow stroke, this is the central point of the piece. media type="youtube" key="YEAs5uycops" height="390" width="640"

"O Come, Little Children" Example (#5 in book 1)
Introduces consecutive up bows. media type="youtube" key="sIpqulNpLxE" height="390" width="640"

YouTube.com Video
A seven minute promotional video about the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School. Includes an overview of the Suzuki Method of music instruction.

media type="youtube" key="1DVjmxflHOc" height="390" width="480" =__Websites__= Visit these websites for more information on teacher training, historical background and many other interesting aspects of the world of the Suzuki Method. =__Assignments__=
 * [|http://suzukiassociation.org]
 * [|http://internationalsuzuki.org]
 * []

Discussion
What is one positive and one negative element of the Suzuki method? Give an example for each and explain why. Discuss with at least two classmates, one that you agree with and another that you disagree with. Post under the discussion tab at the top of the page.

Objective Questions
Please answer the objective questions from above in your own words.

Reference
 * Barrett, Carolyn M. //The Magic of Matsumoto: the Suzuki Method of Education//. Palm springs, CA: ETC Publications, 1995. Print.
 * Landers, Ray. //The Talent Education School of Shinichi Suziki: an Analysis: Application of Its Philosophy and Methods to All Areas of Instruction//. 3rd ed. Smithtown, New York: Exposition, 1984. Print.
 * Suzuki, Shin'ichi. //Suzuki Violin School: Violin Part, Volume 1.// Secaucus, New Jersey: Suzuki Method International, 1978. Print.
 * "Shinichi Suzuki." //Homepage | Suzuki Association of the Americas//. Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc., 1997-2011. Web.17 March, 2011. .
 * "About the Suzuki Method." //Homepage | Suzuki Association of the Americas//. Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc., 1997-2011. Web.17 March, 2011. .
 * "Instilling the Desire to Learn." //Homepage | Suzuki Association of the Americas//. Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc., 1997-2011. Web.17 March, 2011. .