Suzuki Violin - Discussion

[h.05536sawako]

smurf:

Anyone's kids learning this? :? IS there any differeny between the normal violin course and Suzuki?

Hi Smurf, let me share with u my experience. My daughter started on a 1:1 private lesson at a private music school when she was just 3.5 years. The teaching method was not suzuki and the teacher taught her to theory and sight read too. This means, she started with pure note reading on the open strings. G, D, A, E. Her teacher does not promote using numbering but strictly on notes in alphabets. We were sketical inititally as she was very young then. But after one year now, my daughter could read notes perfectly... in fact, we thought she could read notes faster than words! In fact, she recently started on piano as her secondary instrument and has no difficulty coping with the lesson at all.

The benefits of private 1:1 lesson is that the teacher is able to build a good music foundation, develop good posture etc. The suzuki vol 1 in also one the books that she used. It's a great book with many good practice repertoire. My gal enjoys the most of the songs in this books and plays in rhythm when I accompany her violin playing on the piano. I think both methods of teaching have its benefits. But the most important thing is setting sufficient time for practice. My gal practices at least 30 min each day. Initially, it was difficult to instill such discipline. But she did it with time and this makes a difference.

It's good for parents to explore on the two methods and select the best fit for their child. This way, the kid will enjoy music and appreciate the instrument better.

[metz]

Hi Ocean,


Just to share with you that we (the parents) have also been advised to teach our kids to read the notes. Still wondering why the change. We have finished Allegretto and doing Andantino now. But I speculating that the teacher may want the kids to try other songs (on their own) if they are capable of reading the notes. Most of the time, I will teach my kids the songs and the teacher will monitor and correct the posture, fingering and the playing itself. Just realised that this is similar to what my kids’ piano teacher shared with me. She hopes I can drill them on the notes at home so that she can teach more advance stuff and focus more on their playing - expressions of music etc.

Anyway, I’ll check with him the next lesson and let you know.

[fristrom]

I am looking for violin class for my 3.5 yr child, preferably group on Sat morning on the Eastern Sg. Please post or PM if you have any recommendation for patient teachers with experience for young kids. Thanks in advance.

[snowz]

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[OCEAN]

Hi Chamonix


I realised that after three over months of teaching with notes reading, some other children became heavily relied on the book, which means that they now unable to play songs by memory. And they absolutely have no idea when to play notes with the sharp key or natural key. The teacher has now moving in a faster pace. We now have 2 more songs to go to complete the book 1.

Regards,
OCEAN

[phankao]

OCEAN:

Hi Chamonix


I realised that after three over months of teaching with notes reading, some other children became heavily relied on the book, which means that they now unable to play songs by memory. And they absolutely have no idea when to play notes with the sharp key or natural key. The teacher has now moving in a faster pace. We now have 2 more songs to go to complete the book 1.

Regards,
OCEAN

Really? I find that no matter what, my boys will memorise after practising for awhile.

[metz]

Hi Ocean,


I can only speculate that it's the result of a lack of practice. Besides diligent practices, the kids must also be exposed constantly to the pieces they are learning. That will help them greatly in mastering the pieces.

2 pieces more to go? That's really fast! I'm sure your son is looking forward to performing on stage next year. Encourage your son to keep up the good work. He's doing fabulous! :celebrate:

[smurf]

hmm…long time never come to this thread…think we are postponing boy’s violin lesson…dun want to give him too much stress…haha…

[kang]

Hi all,


There are lots of violin teaching-related videos on youtube, but I find this one particularly useful:

ProfessorV: http://www.youtube.com/user/professorV

Just sharing.

[metz]

For parents with kids learning Suzuki book 1, these lyrics are fun to play along with.


http://sites.actx.edu/~suzuki/words%20to%20Suzuki%20pieces.htm