CHOOSING YOUR
SUZUKI MUSIC TEACHER
(Kids Toronto, August, 1987 )
by James O'Regan
"Wait a minute, now! We've just spent $1,000, bought a violin, spent a year of our time and effort and little Barney here can't play the doggone violin yet!" If you've found yourself shouting something like that in the middle of a busy downtown street, you may want to try the Suzuki Method.
The Suzuki method takes the natural learning genius that a child demonstrates by learning a language and applies it to a musical instrument. A musical environment like a language environment helps children learn. So Suzuki parents expose their children to good music at concerts, over the radio or by recordings. At first, the Suzuki teacher teaches the Suzuki parent while the child watches. Gradually the child wants to learn as well. And gradually, the Suzuki parent becomes the at-home practice coach and teacher, providing daily encouragement and guidance at home rehearsal. And, just as children learn to read after they speak, Suzuki kids learn theory and to read music only after they are very comfortable with the instrument.
If you already are a Suzuki parent and you still find yourself screaming at the top of your lungs, "Cute little Kimberly is 800 bucks poorer and no better than I am at the darn thing," then you have a problem.
Occasionally, the child just isn't interested because there is little or no home encouragement. But often there's a problem with the teacher - despite any claims, she or he may not be a Suzuki teacher.
While the overwhelming majority of Suzuki teachers are qualified, some are not. Unqualified teachers, by and large, are ex-students of the Suzuki method - parents, who have learned to play an instrument, but who have neglected to take any "teacher-training," and who have decided to simply become instructors in Suzuki.
Suzuki music instruction is not as easy as it may seem. This unqualified teacher syndrome is a little like the patient who survives surgery and decides to practice medicine. Having decided to follow the Suzuki method, how can you avoid wasted time and money in choosing a teacher?
HOW TO CHOOSE A TEACHER
Picking a good Suzuki teacher depends partly on your ability to establish a nurturing relationship with the teacher. Nevertheless, a good Suzuki teacher will have several qualities.
A good Suzuki teacher will be an accomplished player. The Suzuki Method is a hands-on method involving imitation in its early stages. Your child ought to imitate someone who is worthy of it. Musicianship is basically habitual. You'll want to be sure that the habits your child develops are good ones.
A good Suzuki teacher has taken and continues to take teacher training authorized by the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA). These mini-courses are designed to take the teacher through all the stages of Suzuki development. This allows the teacher to anticipate and to respond easily to the needs of Suzuki students.
A good Suzuki teacher will have a degree in music and/or music education. A sound grounding in music theory has no substitute. A degree from a recognized university or college will ensure a solid background in music theory and the ability to read music. Suzuki students do go on to read music in later stages of their development just as they eventually learn to read a language.
A good Suzuki teacher will be registered as a member of the SAA. This is a sign that your teacher is willing to keep abreast of new trends in Suzuki education and to maintain contact with his/her peers.
HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF
Most Suzuki schools require you to observe classes beforehand, to read one or more books written by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki - he exists - and to listen to records and/or tapes of the Suzuki repertoire.
Spend a few months reading and observing before you decide on any program. Your time and money is worth the extra effort. You want to make sure this method fits your lifestyle. The Suzuki method requires 100 percent parent involvement in your child's music education. And, after all, both child and parent learn to play the instrument.
Observing a Suzuki lesson will help you determine if the teacher in question can teach you and your child. Observation is integral to Suzuki training. If a teacher refuses to let you observe, you are not dealing with a Suzuki teacher.
Reading background on the Suzuki philosophy of education (e.g. Nurtured by Love by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki) will better prepare you to make an informed decision about Suzuki training, and to see if you and your prospective teacher fit together.
Both observation and background reading will provide you with a framework within which to place your teacher, your child and yourself. This will help you anticipate problems and realize advantages to this close nurturing relationship, and allow you to develop realistic expectations within Suzuki education.
WHEN TO START LOOKING
Anytime is a good time to start looking for a Suzuki teacher, however some schools hold their fall registration in the spring. Many others take new students throughout the year. Usually, these programs hold classes throughout the summer as well. Above all, when you do start looking for a Suzuki teacher, take your time. The time you save now by hurrying could become wasted time later on.
For information on the Suzuki Method and the status of Suzuki teachers, contact the Suzuki Association of the Americas, P.O. Box 17310, Boulder, CO, USA 80308, (303)-444-0948. Atlantic Suzuki d'Atlantique opens this fall in Moncton. For information, call 858-9089 during office hours, Mondays & Thursdays, 2-8pm.
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© James O'Regan, 1987