Suzuki Piano Method with Rebecca Martin - TTTV029 

Wonderful podcast on Suzuki, thanks Tim

Went to an "Every Child Can" info session recently. The presenter said just about everything about the Suzuki method. There is a lot of misinformation with some parents. Once had 2 youngsters perform duet in our living room. They performed their pieces note-perfect including the "Minuet in G". Everybody including their parents thought they had a lot of talent and may become professional Classical performers some day. > Suzuki never said people needed "talent" to play music. It's all to do with love, proper training and hard work. The proper word is "nurture". Many of us took music lessons and never quite master "Minuet in G". Suzuki would say they were taught the wrong way. 2. Music should be part of our lives: > Some parents turn music into an academic exercise which is just wrong… Know a young man who got into the Yamaha music program. The mother accompanied him to his lessons. She thought that she was more interested in music and practiced more than he did. His parents wasn’t too keen that he perform his year-end recital and eventually discontinued the lessons. 3. Standard repertoire (by the Books) vs. other music: > A lot of teachers and students still play by a standard set of books. Found a few teachers who are already getting kids to play Walt Disney movie themes alongside Bach concertos. > Some would would go through the Suzuki books as if they need to learn all the right techniques before doing anything else. > Back in high school we had an orchestra with students playing Classical pieces (Tchaikovsky, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) alongside orchestra arrangements of Beatles tunes and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical themes. And there was a pop version of the Beethoven Symph. #5 for orchestra. > In a Christmas party you wouldn’t play “Minuet in G” because this is the only piece you can play well. Have to learn a few pieces that fit the occasion. 4. Sight-reading vs. memory: the ones who learned to play by ear (ear training) at an early age would appreciate music and continue to play long after music lessons ended. > Once saw some youngsters walked into a music store. One of them started playing Fur Elise that he was learning recently. After the first few notes couldn’t continue without the sheet music. 5. Age: a lot depends how well a child can sit still and whether he/she has any interest in music. > Many young people have no clue about Mozart and Beethoven. Taking music lessons is mainly a parent’s decision. > Once had a toy piano (3 octaves) with batteries. Played a few songs by matching color dots on paper. Didn’t get far enough to play anything substantial. Ended up learning to play from scratch years later. 6. Parental involvement: can be positive or negative. > Some parents are accommodating while others are very demanding. > Comes a time when you are asked to play at a friend’s wedding and your mom won’t be around to pick your pieces. You are on your own.

Hi Tim - Congratulations for this interview with Rebecca Martin - I had a chance to attend one of her workshops long ago. This is very educational as it refreshes me with the method. I just wish that you can interview Catherine McMichaels (cathpiano@aol.com) as it is also interesting to note on how she handle using the Suzuki Method of Teaching Piano. Please post more videos or vLogs as cannot wait watching it - best regards and more please - Rogie

where can I go to get the complete Suzuki piano method? i want to learn how to play the piano by ear.

How about for adult beginners?

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Can you teach me piano