STRINGS
Strings – Violin, Viola & Cello

Suzuki violin teaching in Western Australia began in the early 1970’s. Since then, the string program has grown to include viola and cello.
There are regular performing opportunities as well as annual camps, workshops and graduations.
Trained and accredited Suzuki string teachers offer lessons in some country areas as well as throughout the metropolitan area, and can be contacted through the Teachers Directory page.
Lessons with a Suzuki teacher can begin as early as three years of age. Suzuki string teachers offer weekly private lessons and organize regular group sessions, where children can enjoy playing with others. Group work covers a wide range of age and ability.
The success of the Suzuki learning experience depends on a strong level of parental commitment requiring attendance at all lessons and group classes. Parents must be prepared to support practice and to encourage the listening to the repertoire CD on a daily basis at home.
Suzuki is International
Our Suzuki students in Perth have been extremely fortunate to have worked with some of the finest Suzuki educators in the world. Yasuki Nakamura has been a regular visitor to Western Australia for over twenty years, and our students benefit so much from his outstanding playing and teaching.
In 2006, a number of our students, parents and teachers attended the 14th World Suzuki Music Convention in Turin, Italy. There were Suzuki educators there from all over the world, and our students were able to take part in classes and concerts with them. The Convention ended with an amazing concert of more than 1,000 children from many different countries performing their Suzuki repertoire together.
In July 2007, Koen Rens visited Perth from Belgium. A Suzuki student himself, Koen now brings a wealth of experience as a performer, teacher and conductor. The workshop was one that the children, parents and teachers will remember for a very long time.
The Suzuki method of learning provides the opportunity for children from a very young age to get together and play together as the repertoire is common to them all. Our students in Perth benefit greatly from these experiences.
– Anne Coughlan,Violin Teacher

Group Classes
Group classes are an integral part of the Suzuki approach, providing benefits to the students and to their parents. Children enjoy playing within the big sound of many instruments.
Parents gain an understanding and inspiration for where they and their child are headed.
Children are generally more motivated by the playing of their peers rather than by an adult’s performance.
They can see the musical demands of more advanced repertoire being studied. Learning together develops co-operative skills – a good preparation for orchestral work. They develop an understanding that individual excellence benefits the entire group. Most of all – experiencing the joy of making music with friends.

Strings Graduation
As a measure of each students’ attainment, a graduation program is provided. Specific pieces from each book are played to a panel of teachers to demonstrate the student’s skill. An annual concert for graduating students showcases these skills. Graduation day is a time for celebration and a time for students to feel proud of their accomplishments after weeks of careful preparation. The beautiful certificate was designed in Japan and signed by Dr. Suzuki.

Repetition and Revision
Through the practice of repetition and revision, a child’s potential and abilities will develop and improve, just as it does when a child learns to speak and write.
Dr Suzuki believed that by revising all pieces and learning to play them beautifully, children “produce finer tone quality, more graceful movement, greater accuracy and better musicianship…They become fine musicians” (Nurtured by Love)
It must be remembered that Dr Suzuki believed a child became a better person by learning to play music.

Suzuki Programs in Schools
There are various well-developed Suzuki programs in a number of primary and secondary schools in W.A.
Students are offered a private or shared lesson, attended by a parent, and enjoy at least one Suzuki group class each week.
Solo concerts are held once or twice each year as are specific school Suzuki concerts. Those at an appropriate level are also involved the school orchestras.
The Suzuki students often take excursions to other schools with a Suzuki program so they can share playing the same repertoire together. Visits are often planned to retirement villages and hospitals to entertain residents. These programs are a great success, with many children and parents learning to be Suzuki families.
Orchestra and Music Reading
Suzuki children play by ear first and read the notes when they reach a certain level of competence.
Perth has several small ensemble groups where the children can join in and play basic orchestral music.
This is a fun and very social way to learn to read music. Of course it is supported by structured lessons on note reading as part of the child’s Suzuki training.
As they get older and more competent many children move on to bigger groups like the West Australian Youth Strings or the West Australian Youth Music Association, leading to the Australian Youth Orchestra.
From there, a number of students graduate at tertiary level and join the music profession.
