'Is Suzuki just for preparing students for a career in music?'
We aim, through the development of excellent musical skills, to develop character and sensitivity which will stand a person in good stead no matter what their ultimate path in life.

'Do Suzuki students learn to read music?'
Reading is taught, but only after basic playing skills, good posture and good tone have been mastered. This does mean that for some years the child's playing ability is ahead of reading skills; eventually the reading ability develops to the same level. Exactly the same process is found in the language ability of primary school children, whose fluency in spoken language is normally considerably in advance of their reading and writing skills. 

'Is it musical to play in large groups?'

While Suzuki students are often observed playing from memory in large groups in unison (possible because of the common repertoire), this does not indicate unmusical playing. After all, in orchestras, large groups of string players play in unison without their individual musicianship being called into question. In fact, Suzuki students, when heard singly, all have their own individuality of tone, their own understanding of the music, their own personal expression. Frequently, a remarkable maturity of musical expression is observed in quite young children.

Is it OK to start learning an instrument at such a young age?

Those who teach pre-school children will know that 3 year-olds cannot be made to do something that they do not want to do. Suzuki teaching is ideally adapted to the needs of the young child, and is particularly concerned with motivation, understanding of child development and psychology, and with making learning fun, while at the same time aiming for excellence.

Suzuki Graduations

Certain pieces in the Suzuki repertoire are designated as Graduation Levels. When students have studied beyond the piece for each level, they may graduate - that is, they prepare a polished performance of the set piece. They then receive a written report on their playing, and are presented with a beautiful certificate, edged in gold, made in Japan which are screen printed from a painting done by Suzuki himself.

Graduation is not an examination, and every child succeeds. Teachers present students only when they are certain that the performances are secure and musical and that the student is studying well beyond that particular level. To graduate is to achieve recognition for having reached a certain milestone in the ongoing process of musical education.

Graduation is not compulsory, however to graduate at any level beyond Level 1, a student must have graduated at all previous levels. More than one level may be presented on one occasion.

 

'I teach from the premise that given a proper musical environment, parental support, and eagerness to learn, any child can be a talented musician'.