“With love, much can be accomplished”
— Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
Diana Nuttall teaches children how to play cello using the Suzuki Method, a gentle non-competitive approach that emphasizes the development of auditory skills while creating a life long love for music. Shinichi Suzuki, a philosopher, musician and pedagogue, realized that children learn music best when they learn it like they learn their first language: by listening to music and watching their parents try to learn, and imitating. Children start by learning to play by ear, and then, after certain skills are developed, music notation is introduced, while ear development continues.
A positive and structured approach, Suzuki Method is appropriate for small children as young as three or four years of age, but also for older children and adults who want to learn music. The students in the Edmonton Endpins Studio have a private lesson and a group lesson every week. Children 3 and 4 years of age start in small, parented groups twice a week, at first without cellos. Singing, posture, and games designed to introduce musical concepts such as high and low are emphasized. Parents learn how to approach practicing. When the child and parent are ready, the cellos are introduced. Gradually, lessons evolve into “private” lessons and a group lesson. Parents of young children learn to play the cello as well, playing until they have mastered “Twinkle”. Sometimes a parent continues studying cello to become quite a good player!