American Suzuki Journal 51.4

Cover picture by Bruna Lopes

Published July 2023

ASJ subscription is included in SAA membership. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email [javascript protected email address]

American Suzuki Journal 51.4

Features

A Musical Mothers Legacy Minuet 3 and Anna Magdalena Bachs 1725 Notebook

A Musical Mother’s Legacy: Minuet 3 and Anna Magdalena Bach’s 1725 Notebook

Near the end of Volume One of the Suzuki Violin School, students encounter a series of three Minuets, “Minuet No. 1,” “Minuet No. 2,” and “Minuet No. 3” in Suzuki parlance, long attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach.1 Of the three… Read more ▶

, , ,
ASJ 51.4, page 10

Pedagogical Touch in the String Classroom Best Practices and Insights from the Literature and Community

Pedagogical Touch in the String Classroom: Best Practices and Insights from the Literature and Community

As string players, we are fortunate to be able to see in action the muscles with which we play. Unlike wind players and vocalists—whose tone production and articulation are controlled by muscles in the mouth, throat, and diaphragm—we can observe… Read more ▶

, , ,
ASJ 51.4, page 13

Thats Not How It GoesExplaining Differences in Pitch Between Earlier and Later Editions of the Suzuki Violin School

“That’s Not How It Goes!”: Explaining Differences in Pitch Between Earlier and Later Editions of the Suzuki Violin School

By Jenine Brown Between the original editions from the late 1970s, the revised edition thirty years later, and the international edition, the three editions of the Suzuki violin school method have remained remarkably consistent. That is, the repertoire is incredibly static,… Read more ▶

, , , , ,
ASJ 51.4, page 17

Teaching & Learning

Unlocking Creativity with Graphic Scores

Unlocking Creativity with Graphic Scores

By Veronique Mathieu Creativity, or the driving force to effect change, build, develop, and foster growth in the world, is an essential part of human existence. In the realm of musicians, however, this important aspect sometimes gets overshadowed by the focus… Read more ▶

, , , ,
ASJ 51.4, page 23

How to Plan for the Arc of Your Year

How to Plan for the Arc of Your Year

By Nate Zeisler There is something special about the arc of a school year. As educators, we work tirelessly to scaffold and implement a plan based on our annual goals to help our students find success. From the exciting start of… Read more ▶

, ,
ASJ 51.4, page 27

The Four Seasons of Teaching

The Four Seasons of Teaching

I recently spent over a year living in the south of Mexico. It was an amazing experience, but as one might expect, time flew. I think that it was much more than just the fact that I was having fun,… Read more ▶

,
ASJ 51.4, page 30

Viewpoints

Rejuvenating Artistry through Anatomy and WellBeing

Rejuvenating Artistry through Anatomy and Well-Being

Rejuvenation is the perfect theme for summer. We’ve survived the school year and orchestra season and have made it to the land of longer days, more sunshine, music festivals, and, hopefully, a little time to breathe and reflect. As teachers,… Read more ▶

,
ASJ 51.4, page 34

Leaving the Ivory Tower An Ode to Joy

Leaving the Ivory Tower: An Ode to Joy

By Brandon Christensen Six years ago, I did something unimaginable: I quit a full-time university job. My friends were concerned, my family was considering an intervention, my colleagues were aghast. Comments were whispered in hallways and classrooms about my mental health.… Read more ▶

, ,
ASJ 51.4, page 37

Honorable Exit When Music Lessons Come to an End

Honorable Exit: When Music Lessons Come to an End

When a student begins music lessons, the goal is rarely to become a professional musician. Student, teacher, and parents are usually hoping for other things: a musical community, a well-rounded education, or an opportunity to develop discipline. Yet often, when… Read more ▶

, , ,
ASJ 51.4, page 40

Suzuki Senseis Spirit

Suzuki Sensei’s Spirit

While visiting his daughter near Rochester NY, my husband Warren unexpectedly ended up in Strong Memorial Hospital. A teaching hospital, Strong is known for its teams of doctors that work together to find solutions. After a week of testing, Warren… Read more ▶


ASJ 51.4, page 42

Stories, Poems & Tributes

In Memoriam Rick MooneyMay 7 1953June 14 2023

In Memoriam: Rick Mooney: May 7, 1953–June 14, 2023

When I think of Rick Mooney, the descriptive words start flowing: friend, teacher, mentor, bon vivant, innovator, colleague, teacher trainer, contributor, nurturer, cellist, author, composer, arranger, editor, organizer, and magician. Rick got his education at the University of Southern California,… Read more ▶


ASJ 51.4, page 44

News & Information

Chairs Letter

Chair’s Letter

As the summer in the Northern hemisphere sets in, many of us are decompressing after the end of a busy school year. Wherever we live, our lives and teaching tend to correspond to seasons. These may be the seasons of… Read more ▶


ASJ 51.4, page 2

Chairs Letter

Chair’s Letter

Turn Up the Heat! It is my privilege to greet you at the beginning of a new fiscal year for the SAA, a new term for me as Board Chair. The theme for this edition of the ASJ, Rejuvenation, is so… Read more ▶


ASJ 51.4, page 4

Executive Director Letter

Executive Director Letter

I’ve found it really difficult to be honest about my own need for rejuvenation. I have in my head that I should be able to give 150% for twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. No pause, sleep,… Read more ▶

ASJ 51.4, page 8