• Every child can...at his/her own pace.
• The parent is involved in the learning process. The mother or father attends all lessons with the child and supervises the practice at home.
• Emphasis is placed on listening to performances and recordings of the music being learned.
• Music is memorized naturally through this method.
• Posture and basic technique is developed before introducing note reading.
• Students constantly review previously learned pieces in order to reinforce basic skills and technique to achieve mastery. Previously learned pieces are also used to help learn new techniques/new pieces.
• The Suzuki repertoire is organized in such a way that each piece prepares the student for future pieces.
• The music books are arranged so each new piece learned teaches a new step or technique.
• Sequential Learning - the method is broken down into several small steps which build upon each other.
• Group classes meet regularly to reinforce already learned pieces/techniques.
• The Suzuki philosophy consists of a community of students and parents who cooperate together and support the progress of all students in the program.
• Suzuki focuses on developing good character. Dr. Suzuki said, "Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his/her birth and learns to play it, he/she develops sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. He/she gets a beautiful heart."
• Each child is nutured by the teacher and parent(s) to progess in a loving and supportive environment. (The Suzuki Triangle)

The Suzuki Triangle

The Suzuki Method is built around the premise that parents are the best educators of their children. This is proven every day when we hear young children who speak their native language with an extremely high level of expertise.

ROLE OF THE TEACHER

• To be an example and role model for the child and parent
• The parent learns from the teacher how to teach music to the child
• The child learns how the instrument should sound and what good posture should look/feel like
• The teacher exemplifies the positive Suzuki philosophy and teaches the parent how to practice with the child

ROLE OF THE PARENT

• The parent observes and takes notes during the lesson in order to help the child practice at home
• The parent learns how to hold the instrument, how to produce sound, how to produce good tone, how to change pitch, how to practice, and how to get sufficient repetitions to build skills
• They learn how to create a practice schedule and how to make listening a regular part of the child's day
• The parent continually models the home practice after the lesson and imitates the teaching methods

ROLE OF THE STUDENT

• The student needs to understand the parent looks to the teacher for instruction regarding the instrument and
  all of the skills listed above
• He/she needs to understand the teacher is relying on the parent to help the student master the assignment at home

All members of the triangle need to understand themselves as part of a whole, all working together.

Communication between members always needs to be open, honest, and forthright.