What to consider before beginning lessons
The first question to seriously consider - "Is my child ready to start violin lessons?"
Can your child listen to instructions from an adult? Can they hold focus on something for 30-60 seconds?
Do you have the time to invest? A child will not succeed without parental supervision and involvement. Can you commit to the process?
1. Is the Suzuki Method a good fit for me and my family? I am a firm believer in the Suzuki Method. I think it is the ideal method for children to learn a musical instrument. That being said, it does require significant parent commitment. If you are not willing to attend all lessons and practice with your child, it won’t be very effective.
2. Is your child ready for Suzuki Violin Lessons? You know your child best. Are they emotionally, physically, and mentally prepared for a twenty to thirty minute lesson? Can they follow simple directions?
I accept children as young as two, but be prepared to be exceptionally patient with slow progress with these little beginners.
Depending on the child, a four-year-old can be very ready for lessons or a seven-year-old may not be. You know your child. As a general rule, between three and eight years old is a wonderful time for beginning violin lessons.
3. Why do you want your child to learn the violin?
(Or any musical instrument, for that matter.) Is it to feel the pride of developing a skill and to learn the value of hard work? To give them a lifelong creative outlet? To appreciate beautiful music? Learn problem-solving skills? Improve mathematical and critical thinking? The possibilities are endless!
There will be many stumbling blocks on you and your child’s musical journey, so connecting to your “why” is a vital step. Without a strong reason for your efforts, you will both quit at the first sign of trouble. Don’t let this happen.
Dr. Suzuki, the man behind the Suzuki Method, truly believed that every child can learn. With your encouragement, patience, and love, your child can begin the lifelong journey of love, music, and accomplishment. It is one of the greatest gifts that you can give your children.
And, so you know my expectations -
1) My students practice every day. (minimum 5 days a week)
2) You listen every day.
3) Your child will move at the pace I set - trust me, I know what that correct pace is. You do not move onto the next piece until I say you’re ready- or learn a new technique, fingering, etc until I show it. I don't want to be a remedial teacher (that’s no fun for anyone - especially your child) - this is why I want to be the first to teach your child something, not have them attempt to learn on their own. You (parent) do not ask when you move to the next piece, or finish the book - it will add unneeded stress to your child.
4) Don't buy a violin without me letting you know to do so - first violin or next size up.
5) You are expected to sit in on lessons, actively take notes and be present, and be a silent observer. If you interject comments or coaching during the lesson, it will make it harder on the child - learning will be much clearer if it just comes from me in the lessons.
6) The student needs to know their review songs
7) I will respect you and your child, and I will be teaching them not just violin but also respect for others, gratitude, etiquette, appreciation for music, probably a sense of humor, and empowerment. The Suzuki method is about so much more than just learning violin (though that is the gateway for the rest of it!).
Can your child listen to instructions from an adult? Can they hold focus on something for 30-60 seconds?
Do you have the time to invest? A child will not succeed without parental supervision and involvement. Can you commit to the process?
1. Is the Suzuki Method a good fit for me and my family? I am a firm believer in the Suzuki Method. I think it is the ideal method for children to learn a musical instrument. That being said, it does require significant parent commitment. If you are not willing to attend all lessons and practice with your child, it won’t be very effective.
2. Is your child ready for Suzuki Violin Lessons? You know your child best. Are they emotionally, physically, and mentally prepared for a twenty to thirty minute lesson? Can they follow simple directions?
I accept children as young as two, but be prepared to be exceptionally patient with slow progress with these little beginners.
Depending on the child, a four-year-old can be very ready for lessons or a seven-year-old may not be. You know your child. As a general rule, between three and eight years old is a wonderful time for beginning violin lessons.
3. Why do you want your child to learn the violin?
(Or any musical instrument, for that matter.) Is it to feel the pride of developing a skill and to learn the value of hard work? To give them a lifelong creative outlet? To appreciate beautiful music? Learn problem-solving skills? Improve mathematical and critical thinking? The possibilities are endless!
There will be many stumbling blocks on you and your child’s musical journey, so connecting to your “why” is a vital step. Without a strong reason for your efforts, you will both quit at the first sign of trouble. Don’t let this happen.
Dr. Suzuki, the man behind the Suzuki Method, truly believed that every child can learn. With your encouragement, patience, and love, your child can begin the lifelong journey of love, music, and accomplishment. It is one of the greatest gifts that you can give your children.
And, so you know my expectations -
1) My students practice every day. (minimum 5 days a week)
2) You listen every day.
3) Your child will move at the pace I set - trust me, I know what that correct pace is. You do not move onto the next piece until I say you’re ready- or learn a new technique, fingering, etc until I show it. I don't want to be a remedial teacher (that’s no fun for anyone - especially your child) - this is why I want to be the first to teach your child something, not have them attempt to learn on their own. You (parent) do not ask when you move to the next piece, or finish the book - it will add unneeded stress to your child.
4) Don't buy a violin without me letting you know to do so - first violin or next size up.
5) You are expected to sit in on lessons, actively take notes and be present, and be a silent observer. If you interject comments or coaching during the lesson, it will make it harder on the child - learning will be much clearer if it just comes from me in the lessons.
6) The student needs to know their review songs
7) I will respect you and your child, and I will be teaching them not just violin but also respect for others, gratitude, etiquette, appreciation for music, probably a sense of humor, and empowerment. The Suzuki method is about so much more than just learning violin (though that is the gateway for the rest of it!).
The points I will go over in full with you before beginning lessons include:
It’s important that from the start we establish good habits. Practice every day.
Daily listening is expected.
I ask that you do not purchase your child a violin before beginning lessons.
Don’t learn something unless I teach it - when it comes to new techniques/songs/fingerings/concepts.
Required materials:
We will be moving slowly through the steps.
We will use review songs often to build character.
There will be resisting - because it’s hard.
This will be hard at times - I am here for you and you have an automatic support system with my studio - AND, it IS worth it!
Create a nurturing environment for learning.
Commit to the process.
Try not to label your child as successful depending on what song they are on.
It’s critical you don’t answer questions I ask your child.
You, as their parent, are a huge part of this process.
Suzuki method is character first, ability second.
It’s important that from the start we establish good habits. Practice every day.
Daily listening is expected.
I ask that you do not purchase your child a violin before beginning lessons.
Don’t learn something unless I teach it - when it comes to new techniques/songs/fingerings/concepts.
Required materials:
- Foamalin (foam violin)
- “I Can Read Music” volume 1 by Joanne Martin
- Suzuki violin volume 1 book and recording
- “Beyond the music lesson” by Christine Goodner
We will be moving slowly through the steps.
We will use review songs often to build character.
There will be resisting - because it’s hard.
This will be hard at times - I am here for you and you have an automatic support system with my studio - AND, it IS worth it!
Create a nurturing environment for learning.
Commit to the process.
Try not to label your child as successful depending on what song they are on.
It’s critical you don’t answer questions I ask your child.
You, as their parent, are a huge part of this process.
Suzuki method is character first, ability second.
Traditionally, many Suzuki teachers do several weeks of parent training. I like to condense it, so we will have an introduction to lessons (think of it as a free consultation, or as I like to call it “lesson 0”) where you come to my studio, we go over the points listed above, and you can bring your child so they can see the studio space, meet me, and work on their foot chart.
This way you know exactly what lessons will look like, and my expectations of the student and parent. Please contact me via email to request our consultation.
The first few months of lessons are us establishing good posture, learning how to hold the violin and bow, pitch and rhythm awareness, as well as establishing a nurturing environment for the student to grow in. I make lessons as fun as possible, encourage giggling, and I work hard to make sure we look at violin lessons as a positive experience. It’s very important in the first year to establish a good relationship between the student and the teacher, and develop a love of music (or atleast music class). Even if not much practicing gets done daily (although you will practice every day, likely it will be 1-5 minutes a day to start) they learn that they enjoy the few short moments of practicing they do infact accomplish. As their attention spans grows, so will the amount of daily practicing. It won't be much of a struggle to increase practice time as they grow, as long as they are used to daily practicing and generally enjoy the time spent in lessons and practice sessions at home. We do lots of games, lots of encouragement, and a lot of empowerment to help achieve this.
We begin on a foamalin for younger children - a foam version of a violin. I have a “beginners checklist” I will give you at our first lesson. It’s broken down into sections (right hand, left hand, play position, listening/singing) and each section has many activities and games listed that help us develop the fine motor skills needed to play the violin. Each activity has a blank box next to it. If we go over the activity in class, you will check off the box and then you’ll know when you have your practice sessions what things you can practice (anything checked off). Once everything (or most) is checked off, we graduate to a real violin!
This way you know exactly what lessons will look like, and my expectations of the student and parent. Please contact me via email to request our consultation.
The first few months of lessons are us establishing good posture, learning how to hold the violin and bow, pitch and rhythm awareness, as well as establishing a nurturing environment for the student to grow in. I make lessons as fun as possible, encourage giggling, and I work hard to make sure we look at violin lessons as a positive experience. It’s very important in the first year to establish a good relationship between the student and the teacher, and develop a love of music (or atleast music class). Even if not much practicing gets done daily (although you will practice every day, likely it will be 1-5 minutes a day to start) they learn that they enjoy the few short moments of practicing they do infact accomplish. As their attention spans grows, so will the amount of daily practicing. It won't be much of a struggle to increase practice time as they grow, as long as they are used to daily practicing and generally enjoy the time spent in lessons and practice sessions at home. We do lots of games, lots of encouragement, and a lot of empowerment to help achieve this.
We begin on a foamalin for younger children - a foam version of a violin. I have a “beginners checklist” I will give you at our first lesson. It’s broken down into sections (right hand, left hand, play position, listening/singing) and each section has many activities and games listed that help us develop the fine motor skills needed to play the violin. Each activity has a blank box next to it. If we go over the activity in class, you will check off the box and then you’ll know when you have your practice sessions what things you can practice (anything checked off). Once everything (or most) is checked off, we graduate to a real violin!
