Can I self teach Suzuki Method together with my children?

[lowhm]

Hi,

I would like to know if it is possible to pick up a book and learn/teach my children to play piano using the Suzuki method?

I cannot play a piano but I can play a classical guitar (grade , and so is my wife.

I sorry that I am rather ignorant about Suzuki Method and piano, thus, would like to seek some advice if it is possible for me to read up and teach my children by self reading.

Any good link to resources is greatly appreciated too.   

Thanks in advance for any advice.


Cheers.


Han Ming

[imapnotchr]

No!   

I have been teaching piano for over 20 years.  I have looked at Suzuki book one and I have no idea how they go about teaching this method.  I am aware, however, that there are training classes (for something like $600) for Suzuki teachers.  I suggest that you take some lessons yourself (not in Suzuki, please) and then work with your children when you are comfortable with it. 

Also, be aware that for the most part, Suzuki does not teach note reading!  It is mostly by rote.  I have had many transfer Suzuki students and have had to start them back at square one.  They cannot read!

(The Bastian method books are pretty self explanitory, particularly the method books for younger children.)

[leucippus]

I was always taught that you can do anything that you put your mind to.

You know, "Where there's a will there's a way" 

I think that you should get your priorities straight first though.  Are you interested in teaching your kids to play the piano, or to learn Suzuki Method?

If it's the former why lock yourself into the latter?

Moreover, if you're going to teach them to play the piano you would surely need to at least be learning to play simultaneously always a step ahead.  How can you possibly teach someone else to do something that you don't even know how to do yourself?

I personally would recommend Chuan C. Chang's book on "The Fundamentals of Piano Practice".  It's a free download on the Internet.  You should be able to find a link to it via a Google search.

Never mind, I just did it for you: The Fundamentals of Piano Practice

Also, keep an eye out here on these forums for posts by the user named Bernhard.  You can also search and read his old posts which you may find very useful.  They are often very well organized with many links to specific topics.

Best of luck to you in whatever path you choose to take. 

[ilikepie]

I came from Suzuki method. My teacher was emphasizing more on the listening, but made sure I knew how to read notes. Now it's hard for me to sight read both hands... even probably grade 7~9 pieces(Canadian). Thank God I got a 7/10 on my grade 10 exam for sight reading... lucky me heh.
If you insist on Suzuki method, I would not recommend it to be self-taught. The method, although it does encourage parents to be very involved with the student's progress, needs a teacher as well who has studied their principes and what not.
I would really recommend another method.. make sure they get the hang of sight reading as early as possible as this will dramatically increase the rate of learning.

[lowhm]

Hi,

Thanks for all the advices.

Really appreciate and happy to hear so many good advices.
Especially the link !!!!! 

I would say I do agree I have a little concern about Suzuki Method for the fact that there is no emphasis on reading at all.
As mentioned, I play a classical guitar, and I have to admit that many guitarist are bad reader including myself.
Thus, I do read that the 'new' Suzuki Method does introduce reading at a later stage.
I am not sure if I am right to use this metaphor as also mentioned in Suzuki method.
Just like young children learning a new language, we first learn to speak, then to read and finally write.
In this case, it sounds logically, to me, to first let them listen, then read and finally write.

In any case, from my experience, listening is also one of the very delicate and important skills that many player do not possess, at least in the case of guitar.
I have come across many guitarist cannot 'hear' that they play the wrong note, cannot 'hear' the interpretation of a piece and cannot 'hear' the other player in an ensemble.

So, probably as mentioned in some of the views, it's not the method that is important, it's the teacher's teaching techniques and the student's interest that decides.


Am I interested in teaching my kid or learning the Suzuki method? ........
Actually, I am interested in learning the piano myself, probably more, than learning the Suzuki Method.
For some unknown reason, my daughter seems to express her keeness in learning the piano, thus, the idea of we both learning together arise ......     
But, I have totally no idea if it will works.


I have been tossing over this topic over the last couple of weeks now.
Hopefully, I can gather the thoughts and write it down somewhere......  in  a blog probably......


In the meantime, I eagerly waiting for any more comments on this.

Thanks !!!!!



Han Ming

[luvslive]

Thought i might as well chime in on the subject.  I have taken 2 trainings for teaching Suzuki piano and feel I could not have done it correctly without the training.  With the training you will understand what the objectives were for each piece and the sequence of the pieces and how to incorporate listening and ear training.  You will also learn about Suzuki's philosophy. 
You could learn the method right alongside your child though, that is what a few parents do, and they find it rewarding.  This link could help you find a teacher.  https://www.suzukiassociation.org/