Rachel Dominique

Kids and Music

Music and young kids.

In this modern age many parents are well-informed about the benefits of Music. Being music trained from young I had the opportunity to learn both the piano and the violin simultaneously during my childhood and aim to let my children do likewise.

In this modern age many parents are well-informed about the benefits of Music. Being music trained from young I had the opportunity to learn both the piano and the violin simultaneously during my childhood and aim to let my children do likewise.

The Suzuki method by is well recommended for fledging music students. I personally recommend the method as I have experienced the benefits of his techniques in piano as a parent whose child is currently learning piano under his method.

I have tried both the traditional and Suzuki method with my elder son. hated the technical aspects  and inflexibility of the former method.

The Alfred Method was the 1st method tried out on him. He went through the Level A and Level B Prep Course Lesson Books. The books were extremely colorful as there are cartoon illustrations which young children are able to easily identify with. There was also a CD included in the book which parents could play so that their child could listen to the tunes which were featured in the book or play along with the CD.

There is a lot of emphasis on learning how to read the notes properly while keeping in sync with the different types of beats used per piece of music. Initially my son was captivated by the cartoons and very eager to play the tunes he had learnt. However when he graduated to the Level B book and had to learn how to play both right and left hands simultaneously he grew frustrated. This was because he finds it difficult to multi-task. He had to read the notes from the book and play the tune in relation to the given beat.

It is a tall order for a 3year old who just started on his formal musical journey. Even though he had little difficulty reading the staves and notes he found it hard to play according to beat. Not wanting to kill his enthusiasm in piano I suggested that his teacher try out the Suzuki method on him.

Even though through his music lesson he has learned how to read the staves, notes and note values it is not easy to co-ordinate both right and left hand while playing a piece of music. Not wanting to kill his enthusiasm in learning the piano I decided to switch him to the Suzuki method.

The Suzuki Method developed by Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist, who believed that every child is capable of a high level of musical achievement. It emphasizes on variations based on repetition of famous tunes like twinkle twinkle little stars. Students learn music by focusing on hearing then on sight reading.

Even though he has just started on the book I can see a rapid improvement in his attitude towards his piano lessons. He is now more willing to listen to his piano teacher and follow her instructions. He is also much happier as he is able to complete the songs more easily as it is easy to follow.

The focus on repetition/variation on twinkle twinkle little star emphasized on cultivating proper fingering and following the different rhythms/beats. I feel that it is very important to have the proper finger positioning to be able to play piano well. If one develops bad fingering practices, they will face problems playing complicated tunes, fingerings when they progress to higher grades.

Knowing how to count the beats and applying them to practical piano, the child also learns about rhythm and co-ordination. It teaches them how to be focused and also builds up their self-esteem/self-confidence as they able to show their “accomplishments” through playing the tunes.

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