Teaching Goals
The Importance of Hearing
Children learn words after hearing them spoken many times by other people. Listening to the Suzuki repertoire via CD or music platforms is also essential for students to learn and recognize the songs, even before they know how to play the songs in the cello.
“If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” – Shinichi Suzuki
Essential Repetition
Constant repetition is essential when learning an instrument. When children learn a word or a song they don’t forget it. Why? Because they repeat it until they memorize it. When they follow this process they will retain essential information and gradually use it in a new and more sophisticated way.
“Practice only as many times as you have breakfast.” – Shinichi Suzuki
Give Them Encouragement
When children are learning to speak, they receive encouragement in lots of different ways. It can be anything from congratulations to rewards. The same should happen when the student is learning an instrument. It must be sincerely valued. Each student learns in their own way and own time, avoid comparisons.
“Perhaps it is music that will save the world.” – Shinichi Suzuki
Learning from Other Students
Students are encouraged to help each other, building an attitude of generosity and cooperation. They will learn and motivate each other. In addition to individual classes, participation in regular group classes and performances is strongly recommended.
“If a musician wants to become a finer artist, he must first become a finer person.”— Shinichi Suzuki
Gradual Development Through a Gradual Repertoire
Children do not learn to speak in one day. They use language for the natural purpose of communication and self-expression, which is learned over time. The repertoire in the Suzuki Method is developed in the same way. Cello techniques are learned in the songs, instead of using boring or massive technical etudes.
“Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.” – Shinichi Suzuki