We have cool music teachers

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We really do have cool music teachers here at the Music Academy of Rockford College. "King Richard the Lion Hearted", as I have dubbed him for this post, is not really a king, and it's not really his name, but perhaps if we used our imagination, he might look like a character from Ivanhoe?  Instead of fighting the medieval crusades of yore, he's fighting the battles of intonation, bowing, and timing.

   It's more than just head knowledge, although that certainly is important, it's about kid knowledge.  What do I mean by "kid knowledge"?  In the general sense, it's about knowing how kids think or don't think.  What turns them off (and not doing it), and what turns them on (and then doing it).. are just a few things that make our teachers cool. 

  In the specific sense, it's about knowing how each kid ticks.  It's sort of intuitive knowledge.  Somehow, a little bell goes off in their brain that says, "Oh, I remember.. this student likes this song.  Or he'll think playing this is a treat.."  It's the gobs of  little stuff that makes for the big stuff.  That's what makes 'em great.  

What is a Suzuki Mom anyway???

A Suzuki Mom, is a mom whose children take music lessons in the Suzuki tradition.  So, what exactly is the Suzuki tradition?  Without claiming to be an expert in all things related to the Suzuki method, I will attempt to give a rather amateurish definition, embellished by much personal flair.  If you want the official definition, click here.  Teachers who teach after the beliefs and methods of Suzuki, are Suzuki teachers (in the general sense).  They also have to obtain specific Suzuki credentials to be considered a Suzuki teacher.  So who was this great man, and what did he teach? 

 Shinichi Suzuki was born in Japan in 1898.  He was one of 8 children.  He taught himself to play the violin before he actually had formal training.  Perhaps these early experiences led him to have a firm belief that children can learn music in the same way they learn a language "by ear" first and then "by notes" after that.  Suzuki loved children and worked with the parents as well as the children.  Suzuki believed that all children have the talent to learn if they are taught well by loving parents and teachers.  In other words, talent is not "in born" and only handed out to a select few.  Also, there are many young (3 ,4, or  5 year olds) taking music classes under this type of instruction, and doing quite well!  It really is amazing to be a part of such an exciting school of thought and practice!

  This method of music education is far more labor-intensive for the parents than "traditional" music education.  There is so much to learn about being a Suzuki parent that I thought it would be easier to give it to you in small doses...i.e.  "posts" on a blog, rather than make you swallow it in one big gulp.  Pictured here, is the guru himself, Shinichi Suzuki.  

If you would like to read more about him: the Suzuki Association of Americas,  the International Suzuki Association.