What Is the Suzuki Guitar Method?
The Suzuki Guitar Method is part of the Suzuki Method of musical education for children. Developed by Japanese violinist Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the Suzuki Method is employed by trained teachers to introduce and teach music to children as young as 3 years old. Used throughout the world, proponents believe that every individual possesses the capacity to learn music, especially if it is taught in the child's early developmental stages.
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History
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Shinichi Suzuki, born in Japan in 1898, studied Western music during the 1920s while in Germany. An accomplished violinist, he began teaching children and developing his teaching method during the 1930s. Suzuki believed that musical ability "is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed." He further stated, "Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue." Dr. Suzuki passed away in 1998 at the age of 100, but his philosophy and teaching method carries on.
Benefits
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Benefits of the Suzuki Method include the introduction of music to children early, approaching music as a "Mother Tongue" learning process, as described by Dr. Suzuki. Parents are expected to participate in the learning process and encourage their children to practice and use their skills, as they would if learning a language.
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Significance
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The development, approach and philosophy of the Suzuki Method is significant in that it seeks to develop musical ability in very young children, who may or may not show prior interest or talent. Playing technique is developed while learning individual musical pieces, rather than the approach of learning technique through exercises. The Suzuki Method also aims to develop positive character attributes of students through the process of music teaching.
Considerations
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The Suzuki Method is one of many methods of learning guitar and is considered a "holistic" form of music education. The approach of fostering musical talent in students who may not exhibit an interest or predisposition is an accepted one, considering the popularity of the method in music schools around the world. Since the Suzuki Method requires parent involvement and the immersion of the student into listening, practicing and performing, parents considering the method should consider their preparedness for the commitment.
Time Frame
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Since very young Suzuki students (aged 3 to 5) are generally not able to read, they are not taught to read music but are "ear-trained." As the child develops reading and comprehension skills, reading music becomes part of the overall Suzuki curriculum. The Suzuki Method is a long-term learning process, and students who continue their education with the method will obtain its maximum benefit. The length of the program varies according to the school and the child's progress.
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References
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- Photo Credit Playing guitar image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
