Muscle Tension
When practicing, make sure that your body feels relaxed and at ease. The following quote is from Lorna McGhee, principal flutist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra: "Technique is merely physical coordination and we are at our most coordinated when the body is free...
Finding Community: The Suzuki Approach
By now you’re probably familiar with the Suzuki triangle that connects students, teachers, and parents in the process of music learning. These three branches create the framework upon which the entire philosophy is built. However, just beyond the edges of that...
Practicing Music with Child-Led Learning
When kids start music lessons, they are usually very excited! Everything is fresh and new and the instrument is almost like a special new toy. But then after a while, the child begins to realize that doing this "thing" is hard work and suddenly it doesn't have the...
Virtual Summer Suzuki Institutes
Summer Suzuki institutes are unique camps that provide musical learning and experiences for Suzuki families. Based throughout all regions of the U.S. and Canada, institutes provide activities for students, parents, and teachers in short one-week or weekend sessions...
Why We Play Old Repertoire
When your child moves on to a new piece in the Suzuki book, they may think that they no longer need to play the previous one. Afterall, they’ve mastered it. That’s why they’re allowed to continue, right? On the one hand, yes, only when a student has demonstrated the...
Playful Practice Techniques!
Playfulness is the way to go when engaging young children! Sometimes you just need to take the pressure off and lighten the mood. Laughter has the ability to reduce stress, improve circulation, and re-energize the body; all things we need for good concentration when...
The Importance of Listening to Music
Learning music is like learning a second language, which means it’s important to be listening as much as possible. It can be very challenging for your child to learn a new piece if they don’t know what it sounds like. Learning music is similar to how children hear...
The Importance of an Excellent Playing Position
Is your child maintaining a proper playing position when practicing? How a student sits, stands, and holds their instrument is as important to technique as practicing scales and tone. This because it forms the physical foundation upon which all healthy playing habits...
5 Fun Music Literacy Activities
Learning to read music is hard work, but it can also be so much fun! Try these creative, hands-on games at home to spice up the way you practice note reading. 1. "I Spy" Notes & Symbols “I spy with my little eye... a quarter note, a crescendo, a barline,...
Does Your Child Say “NO” to Practice?
Do you have a reluctant child, a child that says NO, or simply won't practice when asked? Here are some ideas: 1) Ask, "What time do you want to practice?" Ask before they go to school or do virtual school at homewhen they would like to practice that day. Then write...