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by Sharon Libera, guest authorDr. Libera is Co-Organizer of the Williams Syndrome Music and Arts Camp. Her 13 year old son, John, like a number of other WS children, has studied by the Suzuki methodThe classical musician Shinichi Suzuki developed his method for teaching music to small children based on the common observation that children, before they begin to read, learn to speak a language by imitating others. At his school in Japan, he began to teach violin to three year old children by having them imitate the teacher, the parent (who, at home, played the simple musical pieces and tapes of them), and the other pupils (who were learning the same pieces). The results were so impressive that his method spread to many countries and was adapted for piano and other instruments. What is required? Either the mother or father must attend all lessons and learn the fundamentals. The child should: 1) Begin as early as possible. 2) Listen daily to recorded tapes of the Suzuki repertoire. 3) Listen to and perform frequently with other students. 4) Postpone music reading until he/she develops aural and instrumental skills. Is this method suitable for children with WS? The method is not a technique, but a philosophy which attempts to motivate a child within an environment of support and praise so that feelings of success will follow. "Learning by ear" rewards a typical WS child whose "ear" for music far surpasses his/her ability to process printed marks on a page. The seven-year-old with WS may act younger but still be ready for short lessons using this method. The length of the lesson usually increases as the child becomes older and more proficient. Do Suzuki students learn to read notes? Yes, after mastering the introductory book of familiar melodies. My son, John, who has WS, made surprisingly rapid strides in reading music once his reading of language was established. He can sight-read simple piano pieces, and performs more complex ones after learning them by a combination of ear and sight. How much commitment is required? The program is rigorous and family involvement is a major requisite. One parent must participate in lessons; I did this even though I had no previous instruction in playing an instrument. How can I find out more? Begin by reading Professor Suzuki's Nurtured by Love: A New Approach to Education. A free catalog of Suzuki materials is available from: Learning One, Box 4260, Athens, OH 45701. A list of trained teachers in your state can be obtained from the Suzuki Association of the Americas, P.O. Box 17310, Boulder, CO 80308, Tel. 303/444-0948. NOTE: The Williams Syndrome Foundation has sponsored a video cassette showing John Libera taking piano lessons by the Suzuki method. It is titled "For Love of Music," can be obtained from the Williams Syndrome Association. |
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