About Suzuki Music
Traditional Method simply means that our qualified and
experienced teachers choose a tutor/ or series of books and work
the students through these.
This interview with Nehama Patkin from The Age in 2007 gives a
brief overview of what a difference parents can make in the musical
development of their children. The Suzuki method was created by
Sinichi Suzuki initially to teach young children to play an
instrument. It was often called the Mother Tongue Method- as it is
based upon the way young children learn to speak a language- by
hearing it and being immersed in it they begin to use the language
to communicate. So too with music. First they must learn to sing
and become comfortable with their first instrument-the voice. Once
they can sing in tune they can learn an instrument and connect with
it. These children are deemed 'musical' because their musical
intelligence has been developed- through song and dance. Children
can then extend their intelligence to an instrument. Learning an
instrument before the child is ready and singing in tune is not
recommended as most children do not connect with the instrument and
become quickly frustrated.
THE
AGE
theage.com.au
November 3,
2007
Playing it
by ear from young is the Suzuki way
A
career as a Suzuki teacher can be rewarding in so many ways, says
Nehama Patkin of the Suzuki Talent Education Association of
Australia.
Ms Patkin says a Suzuki teacher must love children
and be willing to value the potential of every child with patience
and understanding.
"They also need to be proficient on an instrument
and be prepared to attend regular professional development sessions
being offered throughout the year in Australia and overseas," Ms
Patkin says.
The Suzuki method introduced by Dr Shinichi Suzuki
is a philosophy and an education style that prides itself on
placing a high value on teacher training, she says. "A teacher is
not just about studying the music. We teach about life and
communication, particularly between child and parent.
"One of the cornerstones is respect for the child
to help them to develop confidence and self-assurance. It's about
character first and ability second, so parent education is a very
important aspect of this method."
Suzuki teacher training has three levels — primary,
intermediate and advanced. The primary level involves eight
lectures and 17 tutorials that are instrument specific for the
violin, piano, cello, viola, double bass, guitar and flute.
Lectures cover areas such as philosophy, parent
education and child psychology. Tutorials cover reportoire based on
a teaching method where teachers can observe their peers as part of
the training.
"We are constantly learning from observing each
other in the what, why and how of the philosophy," Ms Patkin
says.
The Suzuki association also conducts a five-day
festival every April for teachers, students and parents that
includes instruction on instruments and enrichment classes.
"Concerts are an important part of this education
process as the sharing of abilities educates the whole child," she
says.
These children can go on to learn such things as
the beauty of sound, memory, poise and respect. "But to achieve
this you need to have the right teacher."
The Suzuki method works on the premise of learning
by listening, and the association insists parents attend lessons
with the child every day.
Talented young pupils can go on to perform with a
school orchestra or take up opportunities provided by Melbourne
Youth Music. "We have had great success stories over the years,
such as Rebecca Chambers (former Young Australian of the Year) who
has since completed a masters degree in New York.
"Another is Louisa Breen, who is in great demand as
an accompanist with the ABC and Australian National Academy of
Music, as is David Tong, who won the ABC Young Performers Award at
the tender age of 13. He is at Julliard on scholarship, having
recently toured with the Twin Cellists." |