Suzuki Violin - Discussion
-
I don't recommend violin lessons for 3 year olds in general. It's quite a waste of time and money.
I can think of 3 exceptions:
1. if the child displays strong interest, musical gift or advanced fine motor skills or maturity.
2. if the parent is a professional violinist who has the means to guide the child.
3. if the parent has a strong motivation or commitment to ensure that the child has an early headstart in violin.
Mac Cheng is teaching his own 2 year old daughter and I know Annie Lee taught Lee Huei-Min at age 2.
There is also the amazing Akim Camara who learnt at age 2.
However, let's put things in perspective. Seow Lee-Chin has a professional violinist father but she rejected learning at age 4 and only learnt at age 7. It doesn't appear to have hurt her. Well, Seow Lee-Chin herself says age 2 or 3 is too young to learn the violin!
http://www.leechin.com/about-mystory2.htm
\"Siow began her violin studies at age 7, studying with her musician father, Hee-Shun Siow. The technique she mastered was only partially the famous Suzuki method. \"I know that some Asian children start the Suzuki method at age 2 or 3, but I think that is too young for holding the violin in the proper way. For certain, it is a very difficult instrument for a young child to learn to play, but it is so rewarding.\"
All parents whose kids are learning an instrument will have to endure years of \"encouraging\" practice. What is the point of starting it so soon?Blissedsher:
So empressplace do u recommand a 1-1 lesson for 3year old? Or don even bother learning at this age?
-
I can speak to this because I am part of a many generation line of musicians [mother, grandfather, great-grandmother, and now daughter are/were also all professional musicians], and I am
a Suzuki teacher with of over 30 years experience.
The advantage to starting a child as young as three is to install music activity [listening, playing/practicing, attending concerts] as an important part of the daily family environment. Children of musicians are already in such an environment, so the early formal start of instrumental education is less perhaps less important in the long run than for a child from a non-musical family. I have seen time and time again the wonderful results of starting the children so young. Yes, often it seems that a child will NEVER pull all the skills together into coherent violin playing. But, they always do -- some while they are still 3 and others maybe not until 5. And these young players are then amazing learners, well set-up for success, and already into a practice routine for as long as they can remember. Even if the child becomes hyper involved with other activities later on, say in high school, the gift of music has been given and will always be there.
Best Wishes,
Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com![](\"http://www.things4strings.com/img/products/Violin-Bow-Hold-Accessory.jpg\")
http://www.things4strings.com/img/products/Violin-Bow-Hold-Accessory.jpg\">
-
Hi ALL,
Hope someone can give me advise though not directly link to learning violin. My gal has been practising violin dilligently. But we notice the powder generated from the wax on the strings often cause her nose to itch and sneeze.
Anyone have any suggestion to improve this.
Thanx Thanx!! -
Hi Ms Ruth brons do you teach in singapore?
-
@Blissedsher -- Thank you for question: I teach in the USA.
Best Wishes,
Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com -
ruthbrons:
I bought this bowhold buddy, and I think it is only applicable for bigger kids. Ruth Brons herself admitted in her reply to my query that it's not for 3year olds. Can imagine ... \"ang moh\" kids must be much larger in size. So perhaps, it would suit our 5year olds or 6year olds onwards only?@Blissedsher -- Thank you for question: I teach in the USA.
Best Wishes,
Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com
Personally, I find it big for even me, and I'm in my mid-40s, even though I use a 7/8-violin, and not a 1/32 like my 2.5yo son. But then, I don't really need a bowhold buddy myself lah. -
I didn’t know such bow hold tool exists. IMO, the student has to be told and monitored not to grip it too tight since the bow hold ‘eases’ the grip control required from the students. And especially the right wrist has to be relax during up and down bow change.
Usually it takes a while before a firm but relax grip is developed, that can effect a good tone production. Does that bow hold speed up the learning process? I am not sure. -
haha. I myself started at nearly 7, then went on to grade 5 after 1 1/2 years and grade 8 after another 2 years
-
Yes, pbhyxforever, violin is indeed a wonderful instrument, no matter the starting age.
And yes, KiasuGrandMaster II, the new revolutionary and patent-pending Things 4 Strings
accessories are designed for ages 3 and up. Thousands of teachers worldwide are now enjoying using them to get their beginning students off to a great start on tone. You may read a variety of feedbacks, including comments from private studio and classroom teachers, method book authors/editors, national and international pedagogy leaders, and young and adult students at:
http://www.things4strings.com/product-feedback
Best Wishes,
Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com -
phankao:
Phankao, can you please advise where did you buy this bowhold buddy from in Singapore? I am thinking of getting one. Thanks
I bought this bowhold buddy, and I think it is only applicable for bigger kids. Ruth Brons herself admitted in her reply to my query that it's not for 3year olds. Can imagine ... \"ang moh\" kids must be much larger in size. So perhaps, it would suit our 5year olds or 6year olds onwards only?ruthbrons:
@Blissedsher -- Thank you for question: I teach in the USA.
Best Wishes,
Ruth Brons
http://www.Things4Strings.com
Personally, I find it big for even me, and I'm in my mid-40s, even though I use a 7/8-violin, and not a 1/32 like my 2.5yo son. But then, I don't really need a bowhold buddy myself lah.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login