Miriam Duckworth, Suzuki Piano Teacher
1135 Thunderbird Drive V9S 2P1 Nanaimo, BC, Canada

What are the best ways to prepare your child for piano lessons before they are old enough start? 1) Listen to music a lot! Music is a language and your child will pick up its rhythm and nuance the more they hear. Children love the rhythmic vitality of Vivaldi (ex. Seasons), Mozart (any) and Bach (Brandenburg concertos) as much as nursery, folk and children's songs. 2) Sing together! You don't sing well? Then sing along with a CD.

When should I start my child on piano lessons? That depends. In Suzuki method we can start as early as age 4 because it is an ear approach and children's brains are sponges at this age and their aural skills are at peak. However, their attention span is short and they have not developed organizational skills or self discipline. This is why parent involvement in directing practice is crucial. Practices will be short and need to be fun. By starting later (say age 6...) students... may move through the repetoire faster because they have longer attention spans, but someone who started at age 4 will be far ahead having had a 2 year head start.Often by this age there is more competing for their time (school, other activities). Older children can also learn by Suzuki method, but they are often wanting more independence from parents and will move into reading more quickly. Thus they do not develop the ear skills in the same way a young child would. So - when should you start? As soon as possible. See more

Key Elements of Suzuki Method #8 DELAYED READING Children learn to read after their ability to talk has been well established. In the same way, children should develop aural and technical competence before being taught to read music. This enables the main focus of the teacher's and student's attention to be on the sound: beautiful tone, accurate notes and musical phrasing then become a basic part of the child's earliest training.

Key Elements of Suzuki Method #7 GRADED REPETOIRE 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 repetoire are designed to present technical problems to be learned in the context of the music rather than through dry technical exercises.

Key Elements of Suzuki Method #6 LEARNING WITH OTHER CHILDREN In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performances where they learn from and are motivated by each other.

Key Elements of Suzuki Method #5 ENCOURAGEMENT As with language the child's effort to learn piano should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at his or her own pace, building on small steps so that each one is mastered. Children are also encouraged to support each other's efforts, fostering an attitude of generosity and cooperation.