STEP

One of the most important means of enriching the musical environment is the Group Class. The Group Class is an essential component of the Suzuki’s method. Group classes are essential for performance of the review pieces and are also the only regular opportunity most students have to learn to play with the piano accompaniment. Learning happens much more quickly when children are allowed to watch others. In addition to group lessons reinforcing what transpires in the private lesson, they also provide a motivating social environment that, if nurtured by the parents, can later blossom into extra-curricular musical activities such as small chamber music ensembles as the children mature. It is precisely this kind of social atmosphere that inspires students to practice especially during adolescence when music is in competition with so many other activities.

Goals of Group Classes

These skills can only be learned if the student is already very good at playing the pieces. Dr. Suzuki said “Improve your ability with a piece that you know.” It is much more difficult for the group to achieve these goals if the students are still struggling with notes and bowings, so please don’t worry if the group does not play your child’s latest piece. Not all the children in the class will know all the pieces that the class is doing – if they do not know a piece or a particular skill, they will sit down and watch and learn from the others. The teacher may give them an activity to do while the others are playing (help another student with posture or straight bows, play on an open string, count circle bows, listen or watch for a specific technique) which will help them when they get to that piece. It is important for the student to be in “good review shape” in order to enjoy the Group Class experience.

What is expected of Parents?

Parents are expected to attend all classes. Please sit quietly and support the learning environment by being involved in what is going on and participating when called upon (i.e., this is not the time to read the paper or talk with other parents!). Take notes for home practice. If you need to be at the class of a younger sibling, ask another parent to have an eye to yours, and get their notes after class. Parents are expected to attend musicianship class as well and reinforce class assignments at home.

Make sure your child is in “good review shape” by playing review pieces at home every day, and practising the assigned review pieces for class.