Suzuki voice can be taught in groups for preschool-aged children.

After the age of 3 some are ready for private or family lessons.

The program continues right through to adolescents.

Quick Links:

• When to Begin?
• Environment
• Goals
• Materials
• The Song Books
• Lesson Format
• Recording the Lessons
• Song Charts
• Home Concerts
• Book Performances
• Constant Review
• No Failures
• Develop At Own Speed
• Memory
• The Child as a Whole
• What are Suzuki Graduation and Levels?

What is Suzuki Voice?

Suzuki Voice is based on the method developed by violinist Dr. Shinichi Suzuki more than 50 years ago.

Dr. Päivi Kukkamäki from Finland is the pioneer in the method for singing. In 1986 she went to Japan and after many discussions with Dr. Suzuki the idea of teaching singing using this method was born.

In the Suzuki method children learn music in the same way they learn to speak their native language. All children, regardless of their culture learn to speak in the same way-by perceiving sounds first by the ear.

This ability called hearing later develops into listening, which means that the child makes an effort to hear but with attention. Every child has the ability to learn at his/her own pace of development. Children learn when they are given positive reinforcement.

In the Suzuki method parents and teacher work together with the child. It is a triangle in which each person has a continuing influence on the other and a growing process with the child through music.

Päivi has trained prominent experienced singing teachers throughout the world to adapt this approach to teaching young children to sing.

Singing to the child can begin as early as when he/she is in the womb. It is now believed that the foetus at 4 months is able to hear sounds because the structure of the ear at this stage corresponds to that of an adult.

At 6 months the foetus can react to both high and low pitches. After birth babies have shown signs of recognition when they hear songs that were played to them while in the womb. They stop crying, or they show joyful expressions when they hear their song.

A good musical environment filled with quality recordings of songs is essential to train the ears and musical sense of babies.

Mothers can sing or hum while bathing, dressing and playing with their babies. According to Dr. Suzuki, without environmental stimulants there is no musical aptitude in newborns.

This ability has to be educated.

The goal of the Suzuki Voice program is to foster singing ability mainly through the song approach in the early years.

Later when the student is ready and has developed enough physically, other techniques from traditional well-established schools of singing are gradually incorporated into the teaching.

Training of clear articulation and verbal skills is very important and singing and listening daily is essential. Other aspects pertaining to voice care are taught from the very beginning.

Children learn to feel confident and self-assured with the help of singing as well as experiencing a high level of concentration. Their social skills are developed through interaction with other children in the group classes where they share a common bond. The children enjoy the contact they have with their fellow singers and feel safe and happy.

The most important materials for Suzuki Voice are the teacher's voice, the recordings and the song books.

The books contain songs from around the world. In the beginning there are many nursey rhymes and some familiar songs like Twinkle Twinkle. The children (and parents) learn this in several languages and find it fun.

The materials acts as aids to learning
and help with motivation and making lessons fun.
Puppets and other toys are used not only to amuse but also to help focus the child and to give a better understanding of the song. They also help teach various phonetic exercises. So the songs are approached in many ways - by listening, singing, playing, dancing and drawing.

The Song Books

The children should first learn thoroughly the material in the Suzuki song books. The more competent they become the better they feel and the more they enjoy themselves.

When the child knows all the songs in the Books well, and is eager to perform, she/he can have a small concert of her/his own.

Older children doing Book 1 and 2 recitals are invited to use the puppets to animate their performances and so it becomes quite theatrical and loads of fun.

All the songs in the song books are used as basic material and are not intended to be used exclusively. Other repertoire may be supplemented at the teacher's discretion according to the child's progress.

 

Higher Levels

Level 3
The Suzuki Voice program progresses right up through to teenagers and young adults. Level 3 singers perform with a small chamber ensemble.

Levels 4-6 the singers choose repertoire with the teacher according to their vocal development. There is a wide choice from Lieder and art songs to opera and musical theatre. A recital for the intermediate and advanced levels is held every year as well as a graduation concert involving students of other instruments in Suzuki music.

Lesson Format

The format of the lesson varies. The age of the children dictates the duration and the form of the exercises. In lessons with younger children the lesson often starts with well-known calming music when the children and parents come to the class, e.g."Ave Maria" by Schubert.

At the beginning of the lesson we always bow. Bowing gives the sign even to a very small child that this is the beginning or the end of the lesson. The child calms down to listen to her/himself and to the surroundings and learns to concentrate.

Then the children will do a warm-up song which involves movement followed by exercises in the form of games and then progress to using the songs from the books or supplemented material. The children have the opportunity to perform a solo with the piano accompaniment when they are ready. They are never pushed or coerced.

Recording the Lessons

Recording the lessons is essential for getting the week's work as well as accompaniments to songs with which to practise. Extra songs and materials are used also.

Song charts are very useful motivation tools. It helps the parent to show the child how they are progressing. When the points which need to be covered in each song are mastered the child receives a sticker and perhaps some other reward decided by the child and parent.

Home Concerts

Families can have a home concert once a week. The parents may record these performances on video. Later when the children listen and watch the video they will see how they have developed and improved.

Book Performances

Concerts/recitals are like rites of passage. The child feels they have really accomplished something and can now move on to the next stage. These concerts should be joyful and not seen as obligatory as this would put unnecessary pressure on the child. If he/she is eager to perform in public and knows all the songs in Book 1, a concert with friends and family is organised.

In the Book 2 concerts some of the songs are performed with friends and others are performed in the group in rounds or in two voices. The languages vary.

A very important aspect of the Suzuki method is the emphasis on constant review. In the so-called 'traditional" method, pieces are usually dropped as soon as they are learned and therefore a common reply when asked to perform is: "I don't have anything ready". Instead, a Suzuki teacher will use old pieces to introduce new skills and this allows the child to develop higher levels of musicality while not having to cope with learning new techniques. Also, children usually love singing something they know and this is very crucial for building confidence in a child not only for musical purposes but for the child as a whole.

No Failures

Dr. Suzuki believes that there are no failures. It is the responsibility of the teacher and parent to ensure that practice is done in such a way that there is always a success.

Develop At Own Speed

Every child should be encouraged to develop at his/her own speed. Usually this requires much patience on the part of teacher and parent who usually want the child to progress much more quickly than may be the case. Dr. Suzuki's first students were proof of the theory that 'ability breeds ability' if children are allowed to go at their own speed. Some started very slowly and yet with constant repetition and patience, later reached the same level as other children.

Memory

One aspect of the Suzuki method which characterises it from other methods is the emphasis on playing/singing from memory. As children learn to play and sing before they can read music they develop high aural and musicianship skills early. This aspect is directly related to the way children learn to speak their native language. Hence, musical phrasing becomes second nature to them and they are free to incorporate other things into their music-making.

All of these skills learned in a nurturing environment act as a springboard for developing the child as a whole. The principal difference between this method and the 'traditional' method is the Suzuki approach is based on a philosophy which can be said to be mostly found in the teaching at the beginning when the child is very young. But in fact, probably none of Dr. Suzuki's ideas were revolutionary in themselves. It was his way of formulating them into a philosophy of learning music with the express purpose of developing the child into a 'beautiful human being'. Barbara Barber says of Dr. Suzuki: "His uniqueness lies in his impressive ability to develop these little ones and to enrich their lives". (American String Teacher, Autumn 1991).

After each Book Recital/Concert the child is entitled to do a levels performance. This means singing 2-3 songs for another singing teacher and the teacher will write a report.

The student should be at the required standard to pass the Level and then be allowed to perform in the annual Graduation Concert which is produced by the WA Suzuki Music Association.

This is a very exciting day as the students participate in a concert with other Suzuki instrumentalists and feel a part of a big family. They have once again the chance to experience a rite of passage as they perform together on stage at a large venue and receive a special certificate.

Families learning in the Suzuki program must be financial members of The WA Suzuki Association to learn with an accredited teacher and to take part in these events.

FEES

There is a fee (to STEAA(WA) each year) for Graduation and all Levels payable to STEAA(WA) which covers such things as:

* accompanist fee
* hire of venue
* postage
* fees to teachers writing reports
* certificate
* inscription of certificate
* administration costs

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