Friday, May 13, 2022
The Suzuki Question
For ten years or more, our family was engaged in Suzuki violin lessons. All three children began at four and five years old and continued, for varying lengths, for the next decade or so. The results of that dedication are that only one owns a violin and plays it sporadically, considering her impressive vocal skills to be the instrument worthy of her total attention. One quit in a huff at 13, dedicating herself to piano and the stretching of fingers to scale the piano for the "Rach 5" and the other didn't make it past 10, taking a break from all music and then picking up guitar at 16, rocking the house at all hours of the day and night with variations and themes on everything from John Denver to Radiohead and Led Zepplin to Pat The Bunny, Lord help us.
We didn't hit that sweet spot that other "Suzuki families" seem to connect to with regard to playing the instrument they were trained on. However, and it's a *big* however, being a Suzuki family for so many years brought us gifts that I could never have anticipated. Indeed, I tend to over think most things and never, even in my most "drilling down to the essence" kind of moment, did I understand that teaching children the discipline of being fully dedicated to an instrument would create a life long passion for music which would expand in all sorts of unexpected directions.
Suzuki's motto, "every child can", is correct because given the right combination of teacher and student, the absolute commitment on the part of the parent to be involved from lesson one and a willingness to stretch your own boundaries of patience and, yes, endurance, every child, in fact, can. There may remain a question in your mind about that motto. Can what, exactly? Well, it's just as simple as you think it might be. Every child can learn. Can learn to play violin. Or viola. Or cello. Piano, flute, recorder, you name it, there is a Suzuki method for the instrument. Every child can be the student of music that really does end in success.
While many people might associate the name Suzuki, when overheard in angsty conversations about what sweet little Maia's parents have used in order to get her to play so beautifully, with violin and only violin, and after having seen scads of adorable, tiny children playing Gavotte in perfect tempo alongside their teacher in a YouTube video, might be under the false impression that the methodology creates automaton like music students who learn to goose step in time to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, it is critical to remember that Suzuki is first and foremost a method. A method for teaching children that learning is a wonderful adventure. That music can free the heart, mind and spirit and is a gift that will stay with them for their entire lives. That, while you may *start* on violin, you can easily transfer your skills to other instruments and play other kinds of music.
This was the case in our family. One child is a gifted pianist. Another a serious student of rock guitar. Another a perfect pitch singer. They all began their musical careers playing violin, using the Suzuki method. Yes, I know you've heard all the horror stories; that it takes so much time and repetition and that it's so hard to listen to the child over the course of years as they slowly, slowly improve. But is this not what parenting is about? Is this not what life is about? It takes so much time, if we're lucky, and it's difficult to stand by and watch and listen as we all get better at it, but in the end it's incredibly rewarding to see the fruits of your labor. So, the answer to the Suzuki question is, yes. Yes you can.
Here, then, are my suggestions for you as you start on this magical, musical road.
1. Find a certified Suzuki teacher in your area.
Why certified? Because they've been through rigorous training and understand how to present the material to the children in the consistent way it was intended. What if you find a teacher with training, but not certification? Take them on a trial basis and see how you like the relationship as it develops.
2. Find a decent, affordable resource for both the instrument you choose and the music books which are required. Buy used music books if you can find unmarked, intact copies.
Here's a very basic place to start for violin rentals:
www.violinrentals.com
And here's a place for the books:
3. Beg, borrow and/or ask Grandma for the money to take your children to at least one Suzuki Camp or Institute. You won't be sorry; it's like a vitamin shot for youth musicians.
4. Connect with other parents using the Suzuki method and talk to them about what, how, when and where they play and learn with their children. Oh...did I forget to mention that you'll be learning music too? Sorry about that. :)
5. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy this time with your kids. It will, in fact, be over before you know it.
6. Finally, perhaps wear some funny hats while you practice.
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