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Carol B. Kansas

I am a Licensed Suzuki Teacher, and would like to tell you more about what that involves. I would also like to clear up any misconceptions.

The Suzuki organization offers teacher training courses for each level of each instrument for which they have developed a program.

I traveled to Snow Mass Village to take the teacher training courses for piano levels 1A & 1B one year, and then levels 2 & 3 the next year.

In order to be accepted in the training program, you must submit an audition tape where you are performing at a level higher than the level you wish to take. Back in 1988 when I took the training, it had to be an audio tape. Now it has to be a video tape. The trainer observes the tape to see if he/she thinks you have the playing ability necessary to teach the level you are applying for, and they then determine whether or not you are accepted in the class.

The training sessions I took consisted of 15 hours of training – part of which was lecture, and the remainder was watching the master teacher work with students.
When you complete the training, you must send your “transcript” and a fee to the main office where your accomplishments are “registered.”

There is no such thing as being “certified”. In fact, one time my friend (who introduced me to the Suzuki method, and was a flute teacher) was being introduced as a soloist with the Dodge City Cowboy Band. Her bio info stated that she was a “certified Suzuki flute teacher.” She whispered to me, “I know there is no such thing as a Certified Suzuki teacher, but it sounds good.”

Any one can join the SAA whether they have completed any training or not. Anyone can go to the music store and buy the materials to teach Suzuki whether they have had any training or not.
Because I was not a “classically trained pianist,” I was very much looked down upon by the other Suzuki Teacher Trainees in my training session. It was a very humiliating experience.

Suzuki training does not include any note reading program. I was told to not introduce note reading until a student had learned the entire Book 1, hands together (which is a long process). When students start Book 2, you introduce note reading using any traditional method book such as Francis Clark or Bastien, etc.

My experience was that once students were playing pieces with complicated rhythms and notes, it was impossible to get them to be excited about playing “Middle C March,” etc.
I would be happy to answer any other questions about the Suzuki method and my experience.

Lynn F. North Carolina

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Although I do not “compete” with Suzuki classes in my area I have answered questions about the method. My only experience with Suzuki was through violin lessons with my daughter. (She, too, balked at the reading experience after having played much more interesting music.)

That said, your comments make me appreciate our wonderful method even more – and I didn’t know that was possible! Many of my students are enjoying their “new-found” reading skills. Unlike your experience with Suzuki, however, they are able to immediately understand the pieces that they are playing – (in addition to most anything else they want to try!) I am elated at the ease in which my students are reading and comprehending what they are reading. It is almost magical!

Hats off again to our wonderful teacher and coach!