1. Attend the lessons. Keep in the background, as a child has trouble learning from two teachers at once. You are the at-home teacher.

2. Help your child recall the lesson. This begins in the car on the way home from the studio. Never wait 24 hours as it will be difficult for either of you to remember details of the lesson. Take notes during the lesson and also encourage your child to remember what they need to work on.

3. Handle the violin yourself at home, learning to play much of Book 1. It is good for your relationship as it boosts their ego and confidence when they see you make mistakes and learn too. They get a sense that you are in it together and it is a bonding experience.

4. Be responsible for playing the current cd DAILY, helping establish the habit of it daily. Comment on the music to bring their attention to different aspects of the music such as dynamics, smooth sections, and tempos.

5. Become accustomed to repetition of the cd and repetition in practicing. Generally children like repetition and do not tire of it as they find pride in playing music well. Be mindful to not make comments of boredom at the repetitive nature. Instead, with each repetition find something to improve or a positive aspect to comment on.

6. See that the violin and bow are in good condition. Keep in mind the following essential elements before the technique of playing can be at all effective:

Good horsehair, at proper tension ( rehair about once a year)

Good rosin, daily

Good strings (not dull or false), new about once a year

Properly adjusted violin (good bridge correctly fitted, and sound post in proper position, pegs and tuners that work, and no unglued joints or cracks.

7. See that your child attends all recitals, classes, and special events since these are scheduled for motivation and musical education. Avoid making comparisons between your child and others.

8. Keep growing-musically, as well as in other ways. Children grow best in an atmosphere of adult growth. It is contagious. Curiosity is contagious.

9. Give attention to Suzuki's concepts. They are the fruits of a long life of musical and spiritual search.

10. Avoid discouragement. When in need of a lift, read his book Nurtured by Love. It is full of quotes and ideas. Talk with other parents and share ideas and concerns.

11. Practice with your child until he can work effectively on his own. Two or more practice sessions a day are far better than one long one. When practicing with your child sit to the left of them so that he/she can look directly alongthe strings and over the scroll at you. Keep in mind the helpful slogan: nose, strings, elbow, and foot (left).

12. BE responsible for getting practice started, as well as helping your child learn how to practice. Don't blame your child for not remembering to practice, or for not wanting to stop doing something else. Experiment with ideas form other parents. Remember ,too, that nothing works forever. Keep inventing new challenges during practice. Talk to them while they are playing as this helps them be able to take corrections during the lesson time without stopping.

Remember that practice can be lonely and children like company when practicing. If your child starts resenting your help, take note of your ways. Keep a light touch, without diminishing the sense that practice is important. Expect ups, downs, and plateaus.


Items needed:

1.)Violin in good condition in the appropriate size. (See size chart below). When renting or purchasing, always try out several instruments and bring them to Miss Joy in the lesson so that she may give you feedback on what to look and listen for in an instrument. The best brands I know of for students are instruments by Scott Cao (scottcaoviolins.com).Also, instruments by Robertson and Sons in Albuquerque New Mexico are well known for producing great student violins. These instruments have incredible tone. The following stores carry his instruments:
String Shop of Arizona
2307 S. Rural Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-829-8595

Milano Music
38 W. Main St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
480-827-1111

a.) ask if the instrument has new strings. Ask for Dominant Brand strings to be put on the instrument.
b.) The bow should have a full amount of horse hair and should come with rosin.

For these items I recommend Young Musicians at ymonline.com. They have the best prices.

2.) Shoulder Rest (Kun brand in the appropriate size recommended)
3.) Suzuki Violin Book 1, Suzuki Violin CD of Book 1
4.) tuner (Korg brand is good) or piano to tune the violin to
5.) music stand( not needed until the child starts reading the music)
6.) Nurtured by Love by Dr. Suzuki
7.) Willing attitude to learn and have fun!

The first month of lessons are with the parent only. Miss Joy will take you through a 4 week Parent Training Syllabus that covers: The Suzuki Method, how to set up an enjoyable practice and listening environment, basic technique, how to be your child’s teacher at home, tips on productive practice sessions, how to encourage and make positive suggestions, and more.

Here are some guidelines for choosing the correct size instrument for your child.

1. If you have different sized violins to use for this exercise, have the child put the violin in playing position. If he or she is able to grab the scroll with the fingers wrapped comfortably and the arm dropping down a little, the child is ready for this size.

2. Without instruments to compare, you may instead measure. Hold the left arm fully extended, palm up, and a yardstick under the chin to simulate a violin, record the measurement in the center of the palm. At this point, with no slack in the arm, the measurements below will indicate the correct size of the instrument with a proper bend in the elbow.