Welcome back!

Welcome back to all my students!  I am very excited to begin this piano teaching year in my new home.  I want to use this space to share tips and activities about the Suzuki method, piano lessons, and music in general.


  Back to lessons means scheduling regular practice times into your family's schedule.  Have you looked closely at your new Fall schedule?  Where will you add practice time?  After school?  Be sure your child has time to eat a snack and regroup so that they can concentrate on a new learning activity.
   In the morning before school? After supper?  If you are planning an evening practice time, be sure that your child will have the energy necessary to concentrate at that time and that it will not be interrupted by other activities such as sports or church events.  I do not recommend evening for young children since they are winding down from a long day at that point.  You may find you have more conflict and less concentration if your child is tired.


   Dr. Suzuki said, "Ability equals knowledge plus 10,000 times."  All of your children have the ability to learn and we are refining the abilities necessary to play the piano.  A friend of mine was talking to me recently about the book "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell.  Gladwell researched highly successful groups of people and came up with the "10,000 hour rule".  According to Gladwell, the key to a high level of success for any skill is a matter of practicing that task or skill for around 10,000 hours.  He also highlights the importance of the community which gives him or her the opportunities necessary to hone their skill.


   I am intrigued by the similarities between Gladwell's research and Dr. Suzuki who also insisted that placing a child in an environment of knowledge and encouragement is crucial in developing ability.  The Suzuki triangle of parent-teacher-student is so important.  Let's work together to create an environment where your child can develop their ability to the next level in playing the piano!  You can start by scheduling regular practice times and by playing the Suzuki recordings daily in their hearing.  Include other types of music recordings as well, in a variety of genres, so that they develop more depth to their musical ear.  I hope to offer links to recordings and artists I recommend in the future.


  In my next post I will give you practical and fun ideas for practicing.