The Suzuki Approach

This book is the cornerstone upon which to build any Suzuki-oriented library. In it the author presents the philosophy and principles of Suzuki's teaching methods. Through the examples from his own life and teaching, Suzuki establishes his case for early childhood education and the high potential of every human being, not just those seemingly gifted.

Shinichi Suzuki, of the eponymous Suzuki Method, debunked Western stereotypes about “authentic” classical performance while transforming music education globally. Yet as Eri Hotta shows, his movement was about much more than developing music skills. A committed humanist, he aspired to nurture the potential, musical or otherwise, in every child.

In 1971 Louise Behrend collected a significant number of articles written about the Suzuki approach. These articles were published as a ten-part series in Allegro, the monthly newspaper of the New York Musicians' Union. The purpose was to clear up many widely held misconceptions about the Suzuki ideas and to encourage more fine players and teachers to explore Suzuki teaching. Now published in book form, this pioneering information becomes accessible to a much wider audience.

Titles: * Rustic Dance (F.J. Haydn) * Siciliana (M.K. Waddington) * Allegro (F.J. Haydn) * Seguidilla (C. Salzedo) * Minuet No. 1, Minuet No. 3, BWV Anh. II 114/Anh. II 183 (J.S. Bach) * The Happy Farmer from Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 10 (R. Schumann) * Glissando Waltz (W.A. Mozart) * Minuet No. 2, BWV Anh. 116 (J.S. Bach) * Petite Etude (V.V. Rogers) * A Short Story (H. Lichner) * Sonatina from Zwei Leichte Sonaten No. 1, Kinsky-Halm Anh. 5 (L. van Beethoven)

Contents are: Study Points for Volume 2 * Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus (G.F. Handel) * Musette, Gavotte II or the Musette from English Suite III in G Minor for Klavier, BWV 808 (J.S. Bach) * Hunters' Chorus from 3rd Act of the opera Der Freischutz (C.M. von Weber) * Long, Long Ago (T.H. Bayly) * Waltz, Op. 39, No. 15 for Piano (J. Brahms) * Bourre from Sonata in F Major for Oboe, HHA IV/18, No. 8 (G.F. Handel) * The Two Grenadiers, Die beiden Grenadier, Op. 49, No. 1 for Voice and Piano (R. Schumann) * Theme from Witches' Dance (N. Paganini) * Gavotte from Mignon (A. Thomas) * Gavotte (J.B. Lully) * Minuet in G, Wo0 10, No. 2 (L. van Beethoven) * Minuet from Sei Quintetti per Archi No. 11, Op. 11, No. 5 in E Major (L. Boccherini).

Re-Purposing Suzuki: A Hybrid Approach to Actor Training introduces a system of text analysis that synthesizes physical, psychological, and vocal components in order to truthfully embody heightened texts and contexts. By understanding how the author has re-purposed Suzuki and other physical training methods, as well as Stanislavski, readers will gain an awareness of how to analyze a particular training method by extrapolating its key components and integrating it into a holistic, embodied approach to text analysis. The book explores a method of physical scoring via Rules of the Body and Rules of Composition, as well as a method of approaching heightened texts from Greek drama to post-modern playwrights that draws on the individual actor’s imagination and experience and integrates voice, mind, and body. Readers will be able to either replicate this approach, or apply the logic of its building blocks to assemble their own personal creative process applicable to a variety of performance genres. This is a source book for actors, theatre students, practitioners, and educators interested in assembling tools derived from different sources to create alternative approaches to actor training. While the process outlined in the book evolves in a classroom setting, the components of the pedagogy can also be practiced by individuals who are interested in finding new ways to explore text and character and bring them into their own personal practice.

This book will make the Suzuki parent's task much easier as it will provide a reference when a parent does not know how to teach new pieces. The teacher's job will be easier too because it will no longer be necessary to explain to the parent the relationship between notes and violin fingerings. This book is well-illustrated so that mothers and advanced children can easily understand by reading and looking at the pictures. Dr. Suzuki explains, step-by-step from open strings to placing fingers, what happens to the fingers when there are sharps, flats, and naturals on the page. He explains rhythms and how to read the higher positions. When the child is young, a parent can point to the illustrations and explain easily. There are many nice pieces for reading practice towards the end of the book.

The Suzuki Method of Talent Education is based on Dr. Shinichi Suzuki's view that every child is born with ability, and that man is the son of his environment. Students are taught using the "mother-tongue" approach. Suzuki Guitar School materials include: Guitar Part (Vol. 1-7) * Guitar Accompaniments (Vol. 1) * CD (Vol. 1-4). Suzuki Method Core Materials are available for piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, harp, guitar, and recorder.