Who is Shinichi Suzuki?

Shinichi Suzuki was born in Nagoya, Japan October 17, 1898. He began study of the violin at age 17, and at 22 he went to study in Germany. After the war, he returned to Japan, founding the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto in 1945. Suzuki was awarded several honorary doctorates during his life. He was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Dr. Suzuki continued to teach children and teachers from around the world until his death in January 1998. 

Dr. Suzuki profoundly believed that every child possess an unlimited talent to be educated. He believed that ‘Everyone has a sprout of talent. Developing that sprout into a wonderful ability depends upon how it is cultivated’ 

Dr. Suzuki observed that learning to speak your native language has a 100% success rate. By determining the steps involved in learning to speak a language- Listening, Repetition, Imitation, Modeling, Exploration and Experimentation, Observation and Positive Reinforcement; Dr. Suzuki applied the same steps to teaching children how to play the violin.

Dr. Suzuki said ‘Children learn abilities best when they are having fun. Use this as a weapon and repeatedly give them as much as they can do. Praise them when they do as much as they can. Then their incentive will become much stronger’. To this end, Suzuki teachers divide tasks into small pieces, which allow a child to readily achieve success. As a child experiences the praise and recognition of mastering these small pieces, their desire to learn develops new abilities. As Dr. Suzuki explained, ‘Ability breeds ability’. 

• Early beginning: Students can begin instrumental lessons as early as 3 years old. Older students are always welcome as the method can be adapted for everyone.
• Caretaker participation: Caretakers actively participate in the learning process through home practice and listening. 
• Step by step learning: Every task is broken down into small achievable steps, no matter the age of the child.
• Common, set repertoire: Using the repertoire found in the Suzuki books, children can share music with others in a group setting.  
• Ear before eye: Just like learning to speak, children learn to play by listening and then learn how to read written music. 
• Daily listening to Suzuki repertoire and all sorts of other music: Children need to be immersed in the sound of the pieces they are playing as well as the sounds of music reflective of their families and communities. 
• Repetition: Students learn songs and through repetition create ease and mastery of technical skills and musical expression. 
• Review: Continued review of mastered songs used to develop ease of performance and opportunities to expand their musical expression by adding new skills to an old piece. 
• Group & Private lessons: Group lessons provide peer connections and early ensemble skills while private lessons focus on the individual needs of the child. 

About the Suzuki Method-- Suzuki Association of the Americas

About the Suzuki Method- Suzuki Association of Ontario