American Suzuki Journal 52.4

by Edmund Sprunger

Some things about playing the violin are difficult, complicated, and take quite a while to master. Other aspects of playing are the opposite. Being ready to begin a performance, for example, is straightforward, simple, and easy to learn: get the finger… Read more ▶

ASJ 52.4, page 10

by Daniel Gee Cordova

A New Idea I wonder how thrilling it would have been to be in Dr. Suzuk’s presence as he discovered a revelatory “new idea.” I imagine that some of the best ideas come unexpectedly in a moment of inspiration, perhaps during… Read more ▶

Left Hand, Viola, Violin
ASJ 52.4, page 12

by Lisa Toner

You have tension. Just relax! Shoulders down. Relax your arm. Play from your back. Stand up straight. Get out of your head! Get into your body. Perhaps you have heard messages like this on your journey to becoming a better… Read more ▶

Teaching, Technique, Tension
ASJ 52.4, page 15

by Anne Marie Kuhny

Refining teaching to include repertoire from under-represented communities brings a broader vision to the Suzuki community and helps prepare our students for a global society. We can broaden each student’s musical knowledge and reinforce concepts in any Suzuki book by… Read more ▶

Piano, Supplementary Repertoire, Teaching
ASJ 52.4, page 19

by Natalie Khatibzadeh

“Every note!” Professor Mehta affectionately insisted. My classmates and I felt a sense of duty to deliver each sound. Phiroze Mehta, Professor Emeritus of Piano at Ithaca College, instilled in us a desire to hear every note in all of… Read more ▶

Pedagogy, Piano
ASJ 52.4, page 22

by Seth Himmelhoch

Being an instrumental music teacher is a tricky job. If you teach beginners, you have the deep responsibility of nurturing a complex talent from its roots and making sure the ability of the child gets off to a good start… Read more ▶

Guitar, Learning, Students, Teaching
ASJ 52.4, page 24

My first time seeing Shinichi Suzuki in person was on October 17, 1983, in an upstairs room at the Saino Kyoiku Kaikan in Matsumoto. He looked out at all of us with a glint in his eyes and said: “Today… Read more ▶

Pedagogy, Piano, Shinichi Suzuki
ASJ 52.4, page 27

by Zara Lawler

“Just stay!” said one of the youngest members of the Suzuki Flute Ensemble in our final rehearsal before the closing concert of the 2024 SAA Conference. We were talking through the various things we wanted to remember for a successful… Read more ▶

Conference, Flute, Intonation
ASJ 52.4, page 29

When I first enrolled my children in Suzuki lessons, I was aware that I would play a major role as a Suzuki parent. Looking back, however, I was quite naïve about the extent of my responsibilities and influence. In the… Read more ▶

Help, Parent, Parents, Suzuki, Teachers
ASJ 52.4, page 31

by Jordan McLuckie

In every facet of our lives, we search for clarity. However, we often don’t know what we’re looking for until after it’s been found. That’s what I’ve realized in the process of teaching violin. For me, clarity is being able… Read more ▶

Learning, New Teacher, Teacher Development
ASJ 52.4, page 34

by Hannah Monk Truehart

“I want to burn my violin,” my six-year-old student, who we’ll call Isla, said in a daring tone, her eyes challenging me to react. I took a deep breath and tried to center myself before responding to her alarming statement. “Why… Read more ▶

Parents, Tips
ASJ 52.4, page 36

by Amanda Schubert

I have often reminisced about my time as a Kenkyusei in Matsumoto with Dr. Suzuki. My mother has encouraged me many times to write a book about it. Then, in the spring of 2022, I received an email from Allen… Read more ▶

Matsumoto, Memories, Suzuki, Suzuki Graduates
ASJ 52.4, page 8