UrbanBaby

07.14.08, 13:31 PM General Topics
10 replies

No flames please -- I'm thinking about starting my 4 yo ds in the Suzuki program. Anyone else out there who enrolled their kid in Suzuki that early or did Suzuki themselves around that age? Am I making a mistake starting ds that young? My ds definitely is interested in music and claims he wants to learn the violin, although I don't think he actually understands what lessons would be like. I don't want to start ds too early and then have him tire of it early. The director of the program evaluated my ds, btw, and says he's ready. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.14.08, 01:31 PM Flag

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I would stay away from Suzuki. It is ear-training, which is why children begin younger, but it really sets you back when you need to learn to read music. I learned the piano beginning at age 4, but my sister did suzuki violin at the same age. She never could read music, whereas I started in a basic kindermusik class and learned to read music around 5-6 [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:37 PM Flag

op: my brother also did Suzuki and later took traditional lessons and he never had a problem with reading music. So if my ds enjoys playing, I would definitely switch him over to traditional after a couple years. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:40 PM Flag

why not start a 4yo in a general music class? that way he can explore different instruments and in a year or so decide if he still wants to do violin, or try another instrument? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:40 PM Flag

why this or why that? Both approaches will work just fine. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:42 PM Flag

I was just suggesting, as I've heard of many who've had post-Suzuki problems with music training. My FIL as a renowned professor at a college conservatory is very anti-Suzuki, so I guess I'm biased. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:45 PM Flag

he's taken a lot of music classes already. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:44 PM Flag

I did suzuki and never had any trouble reading music, and as I recall, neither did any of the other kids I did it with. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 03:32 PM Flag

I started the violin at 4 and hated it. I really don;t think that most (American) 4 years old have the necessary coordination required. After playing the piano for a few years between 6 & ( I then went on to a brass instrument that I played for the next 15 years. Of course to each their own but be careful not to force it if you are getting some negative reaction after you start him. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:45 PM Flag

I am planning to be careful, which is why I posted to get other people's opinions. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 01:57 PM Flag

professional musician says stay away from suzuki. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 07.14.08, 02:54 PM Flag