Mother Tongue Approach

Suzuki Method applied the ‘Mother Tongue Approach’ into learning music. Babies learn to speak before they learn to read. They imitate sounds and learn to speak from the people surrounding them. As parents, we talk to our babies naturally without forcing them to speak perfectly. We cheer for their small success even they do not speak perfectly right, and we encourage them to speak better. We do not point to a long sentence to a baby or a toddler and force them to read perfectly; instead, we scaffold their abilities from time to time. All these ideas applied into Suzuki music learning.

Beautiful Tone, Beautiful Heart

We encourage children to be able to play with good tone. In the learning process of nurturing each unique child in listening and producing good tone, we at the same time nurture beautiful heart in each child; ultimately children acquire ability in sensitivity, concentration, responsibility, techniques, and etc.

"Character first, ability second" by Dr Shinichi Suzuki

Grows ability at your child’s rate that respects and values your child ~ in such a way where scaffolding your child’s ability each time your child practise; adding new skills and knowledge to the previous learned skills or knowledge, base on their individual ability.
We strongly believe the ‘Suzuki Triangle’ where parents and teacher are supporting the child with love and guidance that are mutually inclusive. Without one, ability cannot be nurtured in your child’s learning.
Learning music with Suzuki method is an enjoyment through music appreciation; many times, based on your child’s intuitive ability; but not stressing any of the people involved out of the way.

Teaching Style

We believe in Suzuki Triangle where teacher and parent support the child's learning through 'learning together' towards the same purpose; without one, lesson cannot be carried out. Parents learn and practise with their child at home, sharing 'tears', 'happiness' and 'cheer' for their 'little success'. 

Listening
Children listen to Suzuki repertoire (CD). This includes 'active listening' and 'passive listening'. It is recommended that all children listen to Suzuki Book 1 repertoire before attending their first studio lesson; allows one month of listening would be greatly appreciated. 

Imitation
Learning through imitation to produce good tone is part of the essential learning skills. Children learn through imitation by listening to teacher's demonstration. This can be explained further where babies imitate their parents' 'talking' and slowly improve through learning from mistake.

Repetition
Repetition involves deliberate practices for a child to fully acquire specific skills; and subsequently scaffold previous learned skills with new skills.

Commonly Asked Questions - prepared and answered by Emily Yong 

​My child is not talented in music. Can I still let my child learn music?

• Dr Suzuki mentioned that there has no one talented child in music; but every child is talented if we nurture them with love and proper guidance. (Book to refer: Nurtured by Love)

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What should we prepare before the 1st lesson?

• Purchase Book 1 with CD (International Edition) from any local music store, or online, such as bookdepository online. 
• Start listening to the CD, enjoy every piece of son​g ~ we like every piece of song to heap. Do not skip any of them.

What can I expect from my child’s piano learning?

• Do not expect instant result from your child ~ this is life-long learning. Enjoy every single effort that your child makes, and even yourself who constantly support beside your child. You will be amazed and realised how touching it is when you see ‘little success’ in your child’s learning.
• Every child is unique. We do not compare one child to another. That is the reason where in Suzuki learning we do not put our children to exam; instead, we celebrate every child’s efforts that they put in, we celebrate their success including you PARENTS! This is what we meant ~ ‘Suzuki Triangle’ (parents, teacher, child). Hence, your child performs in the Suzuki concert to celebrate their achievement in each level of graduation.

I do not know anything about music. I neither read music. Why does teacher request parent to sit in during the lesson?

• This is part of the Suzuki method where parent is required to present during the 30 minutes lesson (30 minutes is the initial time set for beginner). We believe that ‘no parent sits in, no Suzuki lesson’, as parents are the 2nd teacher to their child at home.
• Do not worry for not knowing anything about music. This is the reason why you send your child to your Suzuki teacher.
• Be your child’s supporter.
• Take note if necessary ~ your teacher will guide you through.
• Pay attention to your child’s progress in each lesson. Your child needs your help at home. When your teacher is not there with you at home, parent is the child’s ‘assistant’ to assist your child practises, and even remind your child what he/she has to practise.
• You may even take a short video with your phone when necessary as reference for home practices (seek permission from your teacher first).
• When you realise the enjoyment of learning with your child in each lesson; you’ll see your child’s progress too!

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What if my child complains about difficulties he/she faced with and wanting to give up? What can I do?

• This is the most common situation that every parent faced with in any stage of their child’s learning. Stay calm and try to figure out what is the reason behind.
• The most common problem is ~ LACK of practises; LACK of listening to the CD!. Yes! Listening to the CD is utmost important in every stage of your child’s learning. Suzuki Method adopts the idea of ‘Listen first, speak later’; this applies to our Suzuki learning where listening to the CD first then learning to play comes in after that. It also explained well about the ‘Mother Tongue’ approach where our child listens to the language that we speak at home and then they pick up and learn to speak. This approach can directly apply into Suzuki music learning.

How to make my child practise without stress?

• This is another common question that parents asked. Please tell your child that, the number of times of practising your piano has no difference from the number of times you have your food. Whenever you eat, you practise! (although it sounds funny, it makes sense indeed as fingers also need to be fed so that they get stronger and ‘wiser’).

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