Expectations

For Parents and Students:

Listening

Parents are expected to put on the audio of the Suzuki Book daily. (Estimated time: 30 seconds) This can be done with a CD or audio file. The whole book should be played for at least one hour a day on automatic repeat. The piece the student is learning, and the song or two ahead should also be repeated for an hour per day. Total should be 3 or more hours a day.

Other kinds of music, especially Classical, Carnatic, or Celtic Fiddle music can be included in the listening. This helps to train the ear of the student so they can learn to play in tune. The goal is to create an environment filled with the language of music, so the child will understand this language, and play fluently. Please only put the best high quality professionals in this listening.

Busy families put the listening in the living room, child's bedroom, the car, the computer, etc. Listening can also be done at night, or while doing homework. The cell phone is not the best as the better the speakers, the better the sound they will copy. 

Daily Review

Suzuki noticed that when people speak their native language, they speak their earliest words

("mama", "daddy") often, and they speak their advanced words periodically.

While practicing at home, the student should play the review pieces daily and then work on the latest piece. This creates a student who plays their instrument fluently.

Group Lessons

Students are expected to attend group lessons weekly. We review pieces, practice note-reading,

play harmonies, learn to play with other people, and have fun in group lessons. We also play the latest

piece the student has learned -- this helps to re-enforce their ability to play that piece. They also bow some new pieces in the air, which prepares them for learning the new pieces. It is a support system for learning and a place to have friends who also enjoy music.

Attendance

When it is necessary for a student to miss a private lesson, the parent/student should notify me

as soon as possible. There are no refunds for lessons missed. There is a possibility of a make-up lesson, if I can find a space where someone else is absent. Otherwise, the student can attend an extra group lesson.

Year Round Study

Students are encouraged to study year-round, even though summer attendance may be

sporadic. A student who takes lessons when in town will be ready to move ahead in the Suzuki

literature in September. A student who takes two months off will need two months to get back to where

they were before they left. Often then it is time to study holiday music and they do not move ahead in the

literature until January. This can be discouraging for the student. If the student continues the listening program while out of town, it will keep the pieces fresh in the student's mind.

Additional Opportunities: 

Students are encouraged to take advantage of further opportunities for study.

• A high quality School Orchestra or Youth Symphony. We will discuss teach family's needs and location and I will make some recommendations.
• State Fall Festival: This happens yearly in October in Seattle or Ellensburg. 
• Suzuki Summer Institutes: It is a good idea to join the SAA and receive the Suzuki journal, which has all the institutes listed. They happen country wide, world wide, or local, all summer.
• There are also small workshops given by local teachers. I will notify as I find out about them.

The combination of the daily repetition of the songs, the group lesson, and the listening, creates beautifully fluent Suzuki players.