SuzukiPortland & SuzukiLakeOswego Philosophy
- An early beginning is encouraged.
- The individual lesson is at the heart of the Suzuki Method. Group classes motivate students through shared experience, repertoire and friendship. Every student participates in both an individual lesson and a group class each week
- Parents attend weekly lessons and become their child’s practice coach at home. No prior musical experience is needed.
- Through enriched daily listening in the child’s environment, musical pitch and form are learned naturally as a mother tongue.
- Technical skills are divided into small manageable steps.
- A building block approach to learning that includes substantial review and repetition is the organizing principle. Like a baby’s first words, progress begins slowly. Acceleration happens naturally when a confident foundation is in place.
- Each individual child works to their own potential not in competition with another child.
- The approach is nurturing and supportive.
- Music reading begins immediately but separately from learning to play the instrument. After ear training is established, reading skills merge with established aural skills and secure physical skills.
- Natural, healthy and balanced playing posture is worked on at every lesson.
- Public group and solo performances of mastered pieces foster the student’s self-confidence and their sense of belonging to the larger musical community.
