Suzuki Violin - Discussion

[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.

[Courage]

From my past experience, Suzuki Method is more suitable for kids 3-4 years of age as a start. The more important thing at this stage is to learn the technique of holding the violin and the bow properly and how to play songs with the bow straight. All this technique requires a period of time of practice. Moreover, at this stage learning to play score will be very dry and boring.


Once they are matured enough to read scores, says age 4/5, they may convert to individual lesson and start to learn scores.

Any private violin teacher will be able to teach Suzuki Method base on the Suzuki Violin books.

My kid had no problem when converting to learn scores at 5. It all depends on the individual whether the kid is ready or not.

My other kid started violin lesson at 5 but had no problem learning scores straight away.

[buds]

Yes, Suzuki starts off the basic with numbers.

I suppose this makes it easier for the children
to learn more variety of songs in a shorter time
frame, which indirectly boosts confidence in
children to maintain interest to play and practise.

But, mind you… This method requires more home
practise and yes, i agree, playing along to the piano
really really helps. Hubs does all the training on this
one. He’s the musician at home. But being good at
music does not equal one to be good at teaching it.
Really takes patience to teach music what with all the
beansprouts and all (music notes)! Tho, he does lose
patience at times when P2 gives up so easily, his
firmness has resulted in her playing much much better.

These "musician" of mine gets frustrated when one
can’t "listen" to music. I always remind him, doesn’t
mean he has the ear for it, that it genetically trickles
the gift into P2.

He reali got those "rat’s ears" man!

Sometimes, i pity P2 but cannot succumb to do the
intervention during practise when P2 seems to begin
crumbling… Not my call. Hehee…

I just remind hub… firm yes, but not to the extent of
allowing for an opportunity for P2 to use a reason
to give up and think she is a failure. (at violin)

[phankao]

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.

So anyone got experience with either of these, or any hearsay?? Which better?

- Mandeville
- Mac's
- Crestar Jurong East

Or.....private suzuki tutor? eg. I heard someone's child takes 1-on-1 lessons with Mr Kang at Jurong East Crestar from 3yo.

Oh, and I'm asking about it being good for very young, like starting at 2years or 3 years.

[metz]

Hi Smurf,


In the beginning, it's so difficult to get them to practise more than 15 mins. Always complained about feet pain, chest pain, shoulder pain etc... But as time goes on, they are able to take longer period of practices. 100 times, of course not in one go lah. They are allowed to rest in between or practise at different times of the day. Too bad, I wasn't disciplined enough :oops:

Sama sama here. My son thought the violin make beautiful sound. Now he knows it's hard to play the instrument well. I understand what you mean about not knowing his preference. My friend's son wanted drum lessons but gave up half way. Now he is requesting for guitar.

Yup, Mr Kang is great teacher but he expects a lot of discipline and perseverance from his students and their parents. Another teacher to keep in mind is Mrs Lauw. She usually takes students aged 3-4.


Hi MommyNg,

Piano accompaniment is a great idea! Will certainly try to find someone to play along with him. He loves playing along with the CD. Pros - his fingers can move faster and he's more in tune with the song. Cons - his bow hand cannot keep up with the tempo, often resulting the bow in moving like a wiper. Also, I realise the pitching suffer too. My greatest headache is his pitching. He knows where his notes are but pitch can either be high or low.

Thanks for the encouragement. Actually, I was close to giving up a while ago. But my son refused to quit. So, I have resolved to stand by him


Hi Phankao,

My kids are taking 1-1 lessons with Mr Kang. My younger child started at 3 yrs 4 mths old. I'm not sure about the long term effects. But according to what I know, the earlier a child is exposed to music via suzuki, the easier for them to pick up.

But if you are intending to get Mr Kang for 1-1 lessons, be prepared to work harder. It's usually at a pace much faster than group lessons.

[phankao]

chamonix:

<snip>...

Yup, Mr Kang is great teacher but he expects a lot of discipline and perseverance from his students and their parents. Another teacher to keep in mind is Mrs Lauw. She usually takes students aged 3-4.

....<snip>....

Hi Phankao,
My kids are taking 1-1 lessons with Mr Kang. My younger child started at 3 yrs 4 mths old. I'm not sure about the long term effects. But according to what I know, the earlier a child is exposed to music via suzuki, the easier for them to pick up.

But if you are intending to get Mr Kang for 1-1 lessons, be prepared to work harder. It's usually at a pace much faster than group lessons.

Not really afraid of hard work, since BTDT - all our children play musical instruments, including 1 violinist gr8, jus never start so young before. Now I'm checking around for trs for toddlers. We would want nothing less than a good effective & daring teacher. Our boy's curr violin tr doesn't do suzuki, n is not suitable for toddlers/preschoolers.

Heard that Sylvia khoo of mandeville is good too?