Suzuki Violin - Discussion

[metz]

ChiefKiasu:

chamonix:

... This allows children as young as 2 years old to start learning the instrument...

2 years old! My daughter can't even handle a pair of chopsticks at that age, much less a block of wood with strings attached. No Vanessa Mae dreams for me

Hi Chief,

Vanessa Mae started playing violin at 5 years old. If your daughter starts playing now, who knows, she may be the next Vanessa Mae.

[metz]

Hi Smurf and MommyNg,


My kids are currently having lesson at Crestar (Jurong East Branch). You can try calling the branches near to you if they provide Suzuki violin lessons. http://www.crestar.com.sg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=60 . For a list of qualified Suzuki Violin Teachers, you can find them here http://www.smas.org.sg/index.htm


Hi Smurf,

It will be so much easier for you since you have music background. If time is a constraint, maybe you can request for a teacher who's not too demanding and can work well with your kids' temperament. My kids' teacher keeps stressing that they need to practise a song 100 times per day. Really stressful. Most of time they can't meet the quota and keep getting \"reminders\" every lesson. :oops:


Hi MommyNg,

My son and daughter began violin lessons last June and October respectively.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I totally agree on the coaching part and playing CD more often. Just realised that I need to let them listen to the CD more. Now, the CD has also become our bedtime lullaby.

Hope you don't mind me tapping on your expertise (you come across to me a violin teacher :D), is it advisable to encourage the kids to play along with the CD?

[smurf]

100 times per day! :shock:


wow, do they really have the patience to practice 100 times? hahah. :lol:

My boy do not have any musical background, and he thinks musical instruments are very easy to learn, just play only lor.hahha. that's why I prefer him to attend those \"Introductory Course in Music\" first before taking up an instrument. who knows? maybe he likes piano more?

[Courage]

My daughter learned violin Suzuki method when she was 2 years and 11 months old at Crestar (Jurong East). One of the parents needs to sit in for every lesson. She did not have to practise 100 times a day but she got pulled down by other students as it is a group lesson. For her group, it took them 1 year to play the song ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ (with different variation).

[jedamum]

will kids that started off with suzuki method have difficulty changing to the normal method after that?


and crestar charges how much for the lessons?

[mommyNg]

Hi chamonix,


Thanks for your compliment :oops:. I'm not a violin teacher, though I learned piano before (and I did teach piano part-time many MANY years ago, ha ha). Hmm, I've never thought of getting her to play along with the CD - but what an excellent idea to try!! Perhaps you may want to first try with the songs that they are most confident in playing, since following the pace/tempo of the songs in the CD can be a challenge sometimes, and encourage them even if they stumble. Have fun and let me know how it goes!! Best if you can find someone who can play the piano part so he/she can follow the pace/tempo of your kids - it's fun and motivating!

I hope you don't give up so soon! Violin is one of the most difficult type of musical instrument to master! Somemore coaching TWO kids at the same time is no easy feat! :salute:

I am hoping to find a good and patient Suzuki violin teacher who conducts both private lessons and group/masterclass for his/her students. If any one has a good recommendation, please let me know!

[smurf]

I called crestar yesterday. I think for 45 mins, they charged $248 per 10 lessons (round off) which is quite reasonable compared to Mandeville. The latter charged $424 i think? But class is conducted by the principal lah.


I heard Mandeville quite established, but super expensive lor. Mac Music School charged about the same price, if not more expensive, than mandeville.

[mintcc]

wonder if there is any good Suzuki method teacher over at Crestar to recommend? Quite tempted to let my boy try out the Suzuki method.

[smurf]

I think someone (is it Chamonix?correctly me if I'm wrong) posted that Kang Choon Sim from Crestar Jurong East is quite good, but very strict. :idea:

[coralie]

FYI, Suzuki violin doesn’t teaches the student to read musical notes. Ie, C,D,E,F,G,A etc. They teach the musical notes via numbers. Only from book 4 onwards then the student starts to learn the letters of the musical notes.