The Suzuki method is based on the educational philosophy developed in Japan by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. With this method children learn a musical instrument in the same way they learn their mother tongue: through the creation of an enabling environment.
Suzuki based his approach on the belief that “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” (S. Suzuki).
In Suzuki method is ideal an early start, 3 or 4 years old, but is never too late to begin. In the same way children learn first to speak and then to read their own language, very young pupils learn by listening and from demonstration first; the printed music will be later introduced when they can already play fluently, with a beautiful sound and good technique.
The involvement of the parents is essential in the Suzuki process. Parents don’t need to be musician but are expected to attend the lessons. They will be carefully guided to create the right musical environment at home and to supervise their children in the daily practice.
In addition to the individual lessons, children will take part in group lessons where they learn from and are motivated by each other. Here they’ll also get used to perform in front of others. Other performing opportunities will be given by the teacher at the end of term concerts or at events organized by the Suzuki Association of the Netherlands (Suzuki Vereniging Nederland SVN) and other European Suzuki Associations.