Born in Japan, founder Shinichi Suzuki taught himself to play violin at age 17 and continued his violin studies under Karl Klinger in Germany. While struggling with the German language, he noticed children easily learned their native tongue due to their parents' repetition and immersive environment. Suzuki theorized a child could also apply the same language-learning principles to music training.
Suzuki opened his music school upon his return to Japan in 1946. By the 1960s, Suzuki's method attracted Western educators interested in learning the teaching technique firsthand.
Children are taught how to listen and play before they are taught how to read music. Repetition is a key component to the Suzuki Music Method. Participants are also encouraged to listen to the music they are to perform daily and attend concerts.
In the beginning, children focus on developing good posture and proper movement before touching the instrument. They then progress through multiple levels of instruction (upwards of ten), at their own pace. In addition to private one-on-one lessons, Suzuki children can also participate in group lessons.
In addition to significant academic gains, parents of Suzuki Music students have also seen significant developmental improvements. Children with musical training like the Suzuki Method performed better in memory tests than untrained children.
Since Suzuki Music stresses repetition rather than music literacy, some participants have a difficult time transitioning into reading music.