Suzuki Talent Education ("Suzuki Method") is based on the pedagogical insights of Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998), and is the most widespread approach in the world today for teaching children instrumental music. At the heart of Suzuki's philosophy is the concept of the "mother tongue": that all children learn, naturally and without apparent effort, their native language, down to the finest nuance of dialect--accomplishing this amazing task by listening and imitating sounds in their environment. Suzuki developed his "mother tongue" insight into a method for teaching violin: so that the child first learns music by listening to it and imitating the teacher. Music reading is only introduced at a later stage, after the child has mastered holding the instrument and has learned a number of songs.
Another concept important to this approach is that a parent or guardian must be present at the lesson; because he or she will serve as surrogate teacher the other six days of the week. The child cannot be expected to direct his/her practice until perhaps the age of ten or eleven. The triad of student + parent + teacher provides a strong foundation for success.
Weekly private (not class) lessons are the norm for Suzuki Talent Education. The usual lesson duration for young beginners is one half hour.
Martin has found that the Suzuki approach can be successfully applied to beginners of any age, including adults.

Please contact Martin to discuss your musical needs.