Suzuki experiences/early violin lessons

[ThomasTippee]

I have a very musical DC who has just turned 3. They are desperate to play the violin. Various people have recommended Suzuki. Im a former professional musician but not strings so no direct experience, and started much later, which is the norm on my instrument. I’d love to hear people’s experiences of it - for them and their DC.

I worry that the group element may be off putting for my very shy child, and also wonder whether it’s quite a dogmatic approach - is there flexibility in the teaching?

And if people didn’t go down the Suzuki route, are there other good options for such a small child? (I appreciate most will say they should wait until they are older, but they have been begging for lessons since they were 18 months old).

Hello!

We are a former Suzuki family. DD violinist followed Suzuki method for around 18months from age 5. Personally I think it's very effective for young kids - strong emphasis on technique and musicality. It is quite a rigid method but in many ways, the routine and familiarity is what makes it work so well with ver tiny kids. You'll be amazed at how even the shyest of children bloom in the group lessons, which in our experience are very nurturing and not at all pressured. If your kid wants to just watch and listen that's fine- it's about immersing them in the world of group music making. They will be participating even if not playing.

I always intended to move away from Suzuki at some point but in the end it happened sooner than planned due to family logistics. However, DD has gone on to thrive and the excellent foundations she got as a young child definitely set her up for where she is now. Her technical set up has been consistently complimented by every teacher we've worked with.

Thanks so much for the reply. What did your DD move on to and why? Was there any conflict between what she’d learned in Suzuki and subsequent lessons? And how long did she have to wait before she could use a real violin in lessons?

Agree with @doesanybodyhaveamap that it can produce technically amazing musicians but as a family we found Suzuki inflexible, a bit lacking in joy and a bit automaton producing. The songs are drilled into them in a set order with no deviation. It noticed at Christmas they had no carols to play for example. Music serves a social purpose and should bring joy. We rebelled and found teachers who are much more flexible, and the kids are more engaged and enjoy playing more. I'm sure a lot comes down to the quality (and sanity) of the teacher. For a 3 year old I'd start with musicianship classes first, Colourstrings or Kodaly. They will teach rhythm, pitch, ear, memory, reading etc before he picks up an instrument. I'm doing Kodaly musicianship with my lot alongside their instruments and they understand so much more than if we were doing a standard ABRSM approach. My 12 year old just bounced out of g3 singing exam claiming the sight singing was a doddle because they gave her 'doh'. If you're interested I can probably find a teacher local to you!

My two did Suzuki violin. Their father is a string player and that helped. They still have lessons with the same teacher many years later and they both play to a high level and sound really lovely. The oldest passed his grade eight at thirteen with an amazingly high mark. They have really excellent technique which other music teachers always compliment. It is a great way to teach a little one!

We certainly did not find it rigid or inflexible - lots of carols at Christmas and other lovely musical activities. The book graduation ceremonies in London were a thing of joy!

They moved on to ABRSM exams at grade four. No trouble with the more conventional approach but they are still working through the Suzuki books alongside. I still remember how lovely it was when they could play the Bach double together.

Suzuki or non-Suzuki - much depends on the teacher. The studio we were with was very lovely and we had fantastic relationships with the teachers and other families. But I have heard other less inspiring stories.

I'm a violinist - decent level amateur. I could see the benefits in the style of teaching for young children. There is a heavy parental commitment and that suited me as I wanted to be very involved while she was young at least. My Dd liked the routine and structure. Knowing what pieces were coming next was motivating, as were the 'big kids' that still played twinkle with the little ones in recitals.

But ultimately I wanted her to have a broader musical education. I could see she would find it easy to rely on her ear and not read music properly. I didn't want her to always be playing the same piece in the same way as everyone around her. It's fine when they are little, but there's a risk of competitiveness as they get older - with kids and parents - when you all follow the same set pattern of repertoire in order, and disappointment/confidence issues when little Annie doesn't graduate at the same time as her friend Bob.... so i always intended to move on to a non-Suzuki teacher.

As it happens, teacher relocated and we couldn't figure out the logistics of a new Suzuki teacher so it sort of forced our hand earlier than planned. She went to a very good non-Suzuki teacher. We had a bit of catching up on note reading and scales, but she was still way ahead of most 7yr olds. And she had the benefit of a beautiful bow hold and a fantastic sound!

She went on to study at junior conservatoire and is now at a specialist music school. Lots of her peers have had a similar start with early Suzuki training then moving on.

Oh, and she was on a box violin for about 3 weeks before going onto a real (tiny!) violin.

The things I really liked about it was the fact they played real music - compared to some of the tuneless boring exercises I heard children practising who had followed a more conventional route.

All Suzuki pupils learn to read music too, just not right at the beginning.

I do think we have been so lucky with their fabulous teacher though.

Thanks so much all for the very helpful replies. I suppose like everything it must come down to the teacher. Some of the things that @Bogoroditse mentions about inflexibility/lacking in joy etc is what I’m concerned about, but at the same time it’s an approach which is geared towards very young children, teaches aural skills etc which is appealing.

My DC is at an awkward stage because all the classes for his age are singing nursery rhyme type stuff, marching or jumping around to the music and he really isn’t interested in that. At the same time he’s obviously very young and I’m conscious of nurturing his enthusiasm without overwhelming him or putting him off.

You would have laughed to see my ds at early music classes I took him to as a toddler. We really wanted our children to have music in their lives but we reluctantly came to think there was no hope for ds1 as he couldn’t sing in tune and he was more likely to use a violin as a weapon aged three 🤣. He did start when he was six and got on well but we didn’t realise he had perfect pitch until he was eight and he started talking about it, he thought everyone knew that.

As a musician yourself you are perfectly placed to help your child, Suzuki or not! I would say any music teaching can be lacking in joy, it so depends on the attitude of the teacher. But for such a young child and such a technically difficult instrument as a violin I do believe Suzuki is a sound approach.

Dd did Suzuki 3-5 then switched to traditional lessons. She's playing semi professionally now

You should have the opportunity to observe lessons and group classes before committing anyway - it's very much a 2-way commitment with Suzuki. You have nothing to lose by going to check it out.

I second @HumphreyCobblers, as a method for teaching very young children I think it can be wonderful (certainly was for us). As a musician you will be well placed to support and if it comes time to move on, you'll know.

The other thing worth a mention are the young string programmes at some of the junior conservatoires, but I think you may have a year or so yet and there's often a lottery for places especially in London. Guildhall, RAM and Trinity all have excellent programmes for little ones.

Suzuki family here. It is ALL about the teacher. Many Suzuki teachers will do a hybrid, lots of Suzuki with plenty of other repertoire, and introduce sight reading fairly early on. Some will also do exams.
In our case sight reading was a bit late, and both DD at different places on dyslexia scale. In hindsight they should have been involved in musicianship much earlier on. DD2 especially never really mastered sight reading,but has a great ear.
But both had such fantastic opportunities with Suzuki, including international camps and playing at Royal Albert Hall. Both loved playing with their peers and made lovely friends.

I think it is perfect for a small child. But take care selecting teacher. And don’t be afraid to change teacher if it is not working out for you.