“Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.” –Shinichi Suzuki
Who Was Shinichi Suzuki?
Shinichi Suzuki (born in 1898) grew up working in his father’s violin factory in Japan, but didn’t learn to play the violin until he was a teenager. After hearing a Bach concerto on a record (records are what we listened to before CD’s and before cassette tapes!), he decided to try play the violin for the first time. He listened to the record over and over and gradually taught himself the notes. That began a long journey to becoming a master violinist and music educator.
Suzuki believed that every child could be taught music. He thought that children would develop “a beautiful heart” by learning to love music. He said, "Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart."
Suzuki taught that to be skilled at something, you have to practice…a lot. "Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.” He said you should only practice music on the days that you eat! That’s a lot of practicing!
Suzuki’s ideas of teaching children have spread around the world. He believed that there is potential in every child. "Beautiful tone, beautiful heart."
Who Was Shinichi Suzuki?
Shinichi Suzuki (born in 1898) grew up working in his father’s violin factory in Japan, but didn’t learn to play the violin until he was a teenager. After hearing a Bach concerto on a record (records are what we listened to before CD’s and before cassette tapes!), he decided to try play the violin for the first time. He listened to the record over and over and gradually taught himself the notes. That began a long journey to becoming a master violinist and music educator.
Suzuki believed that every child could be taught music. He thought that children would develop “a beautiful heart” by learning to love music. He said, "Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart."
Suzuki taught that to be skilled at something, you have to practice…a lot. "Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.” He said you should only practice music on the days that you eat! That’s a lot of practicing!
Suzuki’s ideas of teaching children have spread around the world. He believed that there is potential in every child. "Beautiful tone, beautiful heart."
