New Suzuki Students


All new students will observe other students in individual lessons and group classes for about a month before beginning their own lessons.  Young children learn naturally from observing others and, as a result, will know what behavior is expected of them in the lessons, as well as some of the skills they will be pra
cticing after they start.  The observation period also gives shy children a chance to get to know me before their first lesson so that they don’t feel they have to perform for a stranger.  Parents use this time to learn the role a Suzuki parent plays in a child’s musical education, and to be sure that this program is a good fit for their family. 

Call me at 804-915-7463 to schedule an observation time.  While you are observing, you should start listening to the Suzuki Volume I CD every day, so that your child will be very familiar with the music before starting lessons.  Continue this daily listening for as long as your child is a Suzuki student.

After observing for a month, the practicing parent will begin lessons while the child observes.  You will learn to play the “Twinkle Variations,” the first piece that your child will play, so that you can confidently help your child practice at home once he or she starts to play.  While you’re learning to “Twinkle,” your child will continue to observe at least one other child’s lesson each week.


Please purchase the following items before your first lesson:

  1. Bullet Nurtured by Love, by Shinichi Suzuki, Suzuki's short biography, provides an excellent description of the philosophy of the Suzuki method. Read it before your first lesson so that we can discuss the goals and methods it describes.

  2. Bullet Suzuki Violin or Viola School CD, Volumes 1-4.  Begin listening now to the book 1 CD with your child every day so that you both will be very familiar with the music before starting lessons, then continue this daily listening for as long as your child is a Suzuki student.  Listen as often as possible to the other volumes.  It is from these recordings that your child will learn notes, rhythms,  phrasing and articulation of the pieces he or she will play.  You both will also hear a violin played with a beautiful sound, so that your child will have a model to imitate as he or she learns to produce sound on his or her own instrument. 

  3. BulletSuzuki Volume 1 Book.

  4. BulletMagic Carpet for Violin. 

  5. Bullet a notebook for you, the parent, to use during lessons.


Nurtured by Love and the Suzuki materials can be purchased from Shar Products, as well as other music stores specializing in stringed instruments. 


Please do not purchase or rent an instrument yet. I'll help you choose one of appropriate size and quality when you begin lessons.



 

Phone: 804-915-7463

e-mail: teresa@suzukiteresa.com