Suzuki Violin Lessons – In Person and Online
Gail Boyer, Suzuki Method Certified Violin instructor.
- Student Age starting at age 3 and up
- One lesson per month is a group lesson
Styles and Teaching Methods: Mrs. Boyer is a Suzuki trained instructor in all ten Suzuki Method levels and incorporates traditional note reading into her lessons as well. View Gail Boyer’s Credentials
What about Violin Rentals? Click here to go to the Violin Rental page.
Gail Boyer, Suzuki Method Violin Lessons
We recommend buying or renting instruments from https://www.swstrings.com/
Check with your instructor about the best size instrument for your student. Your child will be sized for their instrument at the first lesson.
Suzuki Method
More than forty years ago, Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility,loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki Approach to violin lessons.
Parent Involvement
As when a child learns to talk, parents are involved in the musical learning of their child. They attend lessons with the child and serve as “Home teachers” during the week. One parent often learns to play before the child, so that he/she understands what the child is expected to do. Parents work with the teacher to create an enjoyable learning environment.
Early Beginning
The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth: formal training may begin at age three or four, but it is never too late to begin.
Listening
Children learn the words after hearing them spoken hundreds of times by others. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to pieces in the Suzuki repertoire so the child knows them immediately.
Repetition
Constant repetition is essential in learning to play violin. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.
Learning With Other Children
In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from and are motivated by each other. This is an important aspect of the Suzuki Method violin lessons.
Encouragement
As with language, the child’s effort to learn violin should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his or her own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. Children are also encourged to support each other’s efforts, fostering an attitude of generosity and cooperation.
Graded Repertoire
Children do not practice exercises to learn to talk, but use language for its natural purpose of communication and self-expression. Pieces in the Suzuki repertoire are designed to present technical problems to be learned in the context of the music rather than through dry technical exercises.