Shinichi Suzuki based his approach on his belief tha, "Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability, just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited." His Talent Education movement grew as other teachers studied with him and began to teach throughout Japan. After 1964, the method began to flourish in the U.S. with visits of American teachers to Japan, performances of Japanese tour groups, and the growth of hundreds of Suzuki programs around the world. For a more complete history of the Suzuki method, see http://www.suzukiassociation.org/hist.htm.

Available for violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, harp, flute, recorder, piano and guitar.

Features

• begin at an early age - to take advantage of the crucial early years for developing mental processes and muscle coordination
• parent involvement - attend lessons and practice with child daily
• listening - make music a part of the child's environment through listening to recordings at home, attending concerts so music is absorbed like we absorb language
• playing before reading - just as we learn to read after our ability to speak is well established, Suzuki students are taught to read only after basic performance skills are in place
• repetition - early level pieces are maintained in the student's repertoire. New skills and repertoire are added in the context of familiar pieces.
• nurturing approach - a lot of thought has gone into the learning steps and strategies to ensure success in learning. A loving, positive, generous and cooperative child-centred approach is emphasized.
• social interaction - private lessons are supplemented with regular group lessons and performances
• graded repertoire - musical concepts are learned in the context of the music which is sequenced for technical and musical development
• teacher training - certification programs are available
• string instruments are available in a variety of sizes to match the child through their stages of growth.

Publications
Graded "Books" 1 - 10

Conferences and Institutes. See Music Conferences. See Summer Programs.

Contact Information

Suzuki Association of America
PO Box 17310
Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: (303) 444-0948 Fax: (303)444-0984
Email: suzuki@rmi.net
http://www.suzukiassociation.org

International Suzuki Association
PO Box 2236, Bothell, WA 98041 USA Phone: (425) 485-4934 Fax: (425) 485-5139

Australian National Council of Suzuki Talent Education Association
(Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Oceania)
PO Box 87, Coogee 2034 NSW Australia Phone: (612) 399-9888 Fax: (612) 399-7401

New Zealand

European Suzuki Association
(Europe, Africa, Middle East)
39 High Street, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8BB England Phone: 44-2582-83-2424 Fax: 44-1582-83-4488

Talent Education Research Institute
(Japan, China, Korea, East Asia)
3-10-3 Fukashi, Matsumoto 390 Japan Phone: 81-263-32-7171 Fax: 81-263-33-7451

Suzuki Talent Education Association of Ontario (SAO)

Updated December 7, 2000