Hearing Suzuki Repertoire
The Suzuki Method is based on Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s observation that children learn language by being constantly surrounded by it.
Just as children learn to speak by hearing and imitating their parents, they learn music by hearing it regularly.
Daily listening to Suzuki repertoire is essential for musical development.
Through saturated hearing, children naturally absorb:
Melody
Harmony
Rhythm
Tone quality
Dynamics
Regular listening helps children:
Play from memory more easily
Focus better on developing good technical skills
Parents should play Suzuki recordings every day, along with:
Other classical music
Music the family enjoys
Music should be played at a low, background volume.
The amount of daily listening strongly affects the child’s rate of progress.
Ideal times for listening include:
Mealtime
Playtime
Car rides
Falling asleep
Waking up in the morning
Parents can use listening time to learn the repertoire themselves.
Familiarity with the music helps parents become more effective home teachers.
Listening should always be fun and enjoyable.
Avoid forcing children to listen (e.g., “Sit down and listen”), as this can create negative feelings toward music.
Expanding Musical Exposure
In addition to Suzuki repertoire, children should be exposed to a wide range of classical music.
Helpful experiences include:
Televised or online concerts
Live performances
A home environment filled with quality music
Borrowing CDs from the library is an excellent way to explore music.
These experiences encourage children and create lasting family memories.