and that this ability can be developed and enhanced through a nurturing
environment. All children learn to speak their own language with relative ease
and if the same natural learning process is applied in teaching other skills,
these can be acquired as successfully. Suzuki referred to the process as the
Mother Tongue Method and to the whole system of pedagogy as Talent
Education.
The important elements of the Suzuki approach to instrumental teaching
include the following:
- • an early start (age 3-4 is normal in most countries)
• the importance of listening to music
• learning to play before learning to read
• the involvement of the parent
• a nurturing and positive learning environment
• a high standard of teaching by trained teachers
• the importance of producing a good sound in a balanced and natural
way
• core repertoire, used by Suzuki students across the world
• social interaction with other children: Suzuki students from all over the
world can communicate through the language of music
Aims of the Suzuki Method
The Suzuki method has enabled many children to play music to a high
standard. Substantial numbers of Suzuki trained students have indeed become
highly acclaimed professional musicians. However, the training of
professionals is not the main aim: the emphasis throughout is on the
development of the whole child, on education through music. Dr Suzuki himself
always said that his wish was to foster the human qualities in the child. At every
opportunity he called on politicians, teachers and parents to ensure that the full
potential of every child is developed:
"I want - if I can - to get education changed from mere instruction to education in
the real sense of the word - education that inculcates, brings out, develops the
human potential, based on the growing life of the child. That is why I am
devoting my efforts to furthering Talent Education: what a child becomes
depends entirely on how he is educated. My prayer is that all children on this
globe may become fine human beings, happy people of superior ability, and I
am devoting all my energies to making this come about, for I am convinced
that all children are born with this potential."
Source: www.internationalsuzuki.org
