Before bringing your child for his or her first lesson or class, it is important that both parent and child know what to expect from lessons and classes. A telephone conversation between families and PSPA is a vital first step. Please call 267-251-0429 to discuss the steps below and find out how music study will enrich your life beyond the studio lesson/class time, whether you are considering Improvisation classes only or the full Suzuki Piano Program.
1) Telephone conversation about the program and philosophy (267-251-0429).
2) Begin playing the Suzuki Piano School Book One CD at home. Be sure to purchase the CD performed by Haruko Kataoka; there are several different performers who have recorded this CD, and this is the one to get. (A good source is www.young-musicians.com)
3) Parents read Nurtured By Love, by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, and Thoughts on the Suzuki Piano School by Haruko Kataoka. The first short book describes how Dr. Suzuki came upon this method of teaching children in a very natural way, and the pamphlet by Kataoka describes the Suzuki Method as it applies specifically to piano study and technique.
4) Visit classes/observe lessons: It is recommended that you and your child visit for at least four weeks before enrolling in Suzuki Piano Study.
5) Be sure your piano is tuned. If you do not already have one, acquire the best acoustic piano you can afford (PLEASE ask PSPA to help with selection, as the same amount of money at various amounts can buy a very fine or extremely poor instrument!). Acquire an Adjustable Piano Chair ($229 including shipping; www.cpsimports.com) and an adjustable piano footrest ($150 including shipping; email icanplay [at] philasuzukipiano.com for purchase contact information). The adjustable bench and footrest is necessary to ensure healthy playing posture and development of good tone, both of which will enable lifetime enjoyment of piano playing for your child. (If enrolling in the Beginners’ Suzuki Piano class, you may defer purchase of all of these items until your child is near ready for the shared or individual lesson program.)
6) For Suzuki Piano, attend Parent Orientation/Parents’ Night when scheduled. These evenings will be scheduled as needed based as far as possible on the scheduling needs of new parents in the program.
7) For Suzuki Piano, registration for Every Child Can© (ECC), a one-day introduction to the Suzuki Method and philosophy offered at various locations locally through the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), is highly recommended. Parents who take the ECC course will learn more deeply and thoroughly how to support their children’s Suzuki Piano study and get the most from their lessons and practicing. Contact PSPA for details.
8) Please play your class/lesson CD(‘s) daily at home and in the car (if applicable) for as many hours as possible. Children absorb more from “passive” listening than adults can ever realize. Also encourage active listening (occasionally following along with your method book) and participation, and supervise daily practice for those students studying piano. Remember that what you as the parent care about will also become important to your young child. You can foster interest in music in your child--if you are enthusiastically involved in music, they will be, too!
9) Attend concerts, recitals, and other venues where good music is performed well. While classical piano performances will be most inspiring to piano students of all ages and should be sought out for those students, all quality musical performances of all genres will nurture the love for music most parents want their children (and themselves!) to enjoy. Make attendance at musical events a priority--it counts as both educational and leisure time!