One of the most valuable aspects of the Suzuki method is the deep involvement and recognition of the parents in the development of the student’s violin study. Practice time is definitely the most intense of all the aspects of studying a musical instrument. Practice is intensely personal but the process of developing the ability to
Violinist Emily Sunderman and pianist Sadie Brightman will perform a concert open to the public at Eastview on Sunday, November 9th at 4:30 pm. The duo will perform works by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Handel, and Monti. EastView 100 Eastview Terrace, Middlebury, VT 05753 (802) 388-0303
I often find myself happily trimming fingernails for young students at lessons. Trimmed fingernails are critical on Left Hand fingers 1-4 and Right Hand Thumb and Pinkie. Students are free to go crazy and grow the other ones. I have one memory of my teacher, Barbara Embser as a 4 year old in
Hot Stove game helps new students learn the left hand finger numbers. Student pretends the left hand thumb is a hot stove. Parents or siblings or friends call out numbers between 1 and 4 and the student practices quickly touching the correct finger to the thumb. Index Finger = 1 Middle Finger = 2 Ring
I’ve just stumbled on this Parent Education Resource for Suzuki Programs and signed up for email updates. The site includes letters, games, stories, poems, drawings and inspirational Dr. Suzuki quotes. http://auntrhody.org/
Listening Music is about sound. Listening to the Suzuki cd creates an aural model for the child to hear, a method of learning the music that is not dependent on visual symbols, increases memorization skills, enables students to self-correct, expands sensitivity to style and sensitivity. Incorporate “environmental listening” by putting on the cd while
For training the left hand fingers to hover over the fingerboard, it is useful to imagine each of the fingers is a member of a team of helicopters practicing touching down and lifting off. The game is to try to have each finger touching down and lifting off at the exact same speed and hovering
My nearly nine year old son and I like to practice in the morning before school. It is nice to have practice accomplished before the day even really begins. Additionally, at the end of the day when we’re exhausted and hungry and dinner needs to be made, homework accomplished, and screen time is begged for, we don’t
At Hartt (University of Hartford School of Music) last week at their Suzuki institute I attended a discussion called, “Words that work: Language to Promote Effective Practice” led by Dr. Susan Bair. Here are are some of my notes from the discussion combined with some of my own thoughts. 1. From time to time, remember why
Building a box violin is often the first step parents take towards working with their children to learn the violin. I don’t do this in the lesson as parents can work with their children solo on this lesson. It is useful to look at the picture of the violin in Suzuki book one to
Emily Sunderman 