Suzuki Violin Vs Traditional Violin

The Suzuki violin method has come to dominate the way violin is taught in America and throughout much of the world. Mention the Suzuki violin method to music educators, and you will get a variety of responses. While it is common for some teachers to mix elements of Suzuki violin method with the traditional approach other teachers either love or hate the Suzuki method. Let's examine the Suzuki violin versus the traditional violin below.

The Suzuki violin study method emphasizes passive modes of learning - watching and listening. Before engaging in formal study, Suzuki violin students are exposed to recordings of the first and subsequent pieces they will play, as well as recordings of great performances from the general classical repertory. This continues when students begin formal study and as they progress. Recordings are played as "background music", for hours each day and at low volume levels. Here, the thinking is that exposure to recordings is similar to the effect of immersion that naturally occurs in the process of primary language acquisition. Successful study is enhanced by prolonged repeated exposure. Suzuki violin students develop an internal model of the music to be studied. They memorize the music and internalize the nuances of pitch, tone, timing, articulation, and dynamics demonstrated in recorded performances.

Traditional violin study favors a type of training that virtually ignores passive learning approaches. While students may be encouraged to listen to recordings of the more advanced repertory played by concert artists or symphony orchestras, beginning students are generally not given the opportunity to listen to recordings of the beginning pieces that they are or will be studying.

Suzuki violin incorporates the passive mode in class. Before Suzuki violin students ever receive the violin, they observe others who are doing what they will eventually do. Even after receiving and working with the violin, they continue to observe others in the masterclass setting and group lessons. While, the more traditional violin lessons are modeled on an environment of isolation. When students do interact, competition between individual students is often used as a means to motivate them. Cooperative learning techniques are neglected or ignored. With the one-on-one model, students don't get much opportunity to study and play music with peers.

The Suzuki violin method imparts technical skills needed to play the violin in a way that has similarities with the approach used in traditional Asian martial arts. There is meticulous attention to form, detail, and movement and it is usually taught by a master who has been handed the skills by other masters. Suzuki formulated a highly original violin technique that is radical and remarkably efficient. He has disseminated these ideas to teachers and students in the form of "teaching points" - specific descriptions, each dealing with a single aspect of technique and recommended exercises for its mastery. In the process of renovating violin study, Suzuki dramatically improved the way the violin is technically mastered.

Looking for information about the violin? Go to: http://www.mrviolin.com 'Mr Violin' is published by Helen Baxter - The Complete A to Z Of Violin Resources! Check out more violin articles at: http://www.mrviolin.com/archive

---

Sheet Music ? Violin and Other String Instruments

The violin is a bowed stringed instrument and is the... Read More

Be An Organized Church Pianist

Playing in front of a congregation each Sunday is no... Read More

These MIDI Tools Are Music To My Ears

Curious about MIDI? Want to find out what tools are... Read More

Establishing Your Mix

Now that you've spent hours and days and weeks and... Read More

Learning How To Improvise

Those of you who have been reading my articles for... Read More

The First The American Idol Kelly Clarkson

There is a lot more to the story that meets... Read More

Automatic Control of Chords

CORRECT PRACTICE IS INDISPENSABLE!Your success or failure at the keyboard... Read More

Memorizing Music - How Is It Best Achieved?

When memorizing music there are several things you can do... Read More

How to be Creative at the Piano

So you want to be more creative when playing piano.... Read More

Turn It Up: Plugging Into The Perfect Guitar And Amp Settings

Yowza! Did you hear that hideous noise? It sounded like... Read More

How to Buy an Electric Guitar

For most of us, making any major purchase, such as... Read More

Painting with Sound

Whenever I go to a Borders bookstore here in San... Read More

What All Do I Have to Know to be a Really Good Piano Player?

Many students ask me a question that goes something like... Read More

How To Play Guitar Like a Pro!

Having taught the guitar for many years, I see the... Read More

Bagpipe Lessons In Your Own Home !

Bringing Bagpipe Tuition to Everyone, Everywhere.I have been teaching music... Read More

6 Tips for Organizing Your Music Files

If you're a digital music fan, you probably have problems... Read More

Growing and Keeping Loyal Fan Support

Fan support for musicians is a two way street. You... Read More

Music for Cross Cultural Accelerated Learning

The Search for the Right MusicEver since Georgi Lozonav, the... Read More

Beginners Guide to Music File Formats

Are you confused by the various types of music file... Read More

The Art Of Practicing - How To See Real Results

I have always believed that success, in practically any subject... Read More

The Three 8 Mile Battles

Three battles at the end of the 8 Mile movie... Read More

Tips on Performing Your Music for Others

Have you ever dreamed of performing a piece you created... Read More

How to Make $30,000 with Your Music Before Years End

As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did... Read More

Music for Corporate Entertainment

For many years I have supplied music for and played... Read More

Are iPods Changing the Way We Listen to Music

They're everywhere, and not only are they everywhere, they look... Read More

How to Download Music From The Internet

Most of you have probably heard of the RIAA's quest... Read More

Music & Intelligence: Will Listening to Music Make You Smarter?

Will listening to music make you smarter? Will learning to... Read More

Piano Lessons and Perfectionism

Are you a perfectionist? Does every note have to sound... Read More

Improvising On The Piano: Jazz Musicians Do It -- Why Not Other Styles?

Why jazz piano improvisation?Why not gospel piano improvisation?Is it not... Read More

Launch Pad Introduces Subliminal

Who would have ever thought that a call out for... Read More

Setting Up In-House Retail Sales

Now, that you are familiar and likely connected with online... Read More

How to Get Past Creative Blocks

When I first began playing the piano and improvising, there... Read More

How to Organise a Gig or a Live Music Event - the Budget

Three times in the last month I've been asked the... Read More