The DOWNSIDES of the Suzuki Book Series

In this video Joel Kennedy talks about the downsides of the beloved Suzuki book series and why it may require some extra attention if one chooses to study from the Suzuki Book Series.
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[@tonimcguire8588]

I learned with Suzuki violin in 4th grade and my teacher didn’t have us learn note names. I got to high school still calling the note D3 and the name is G. I went on to learn other instruments and reading three different clefs but stayed away from using Suzuki u til I was teaching piano to students who played string instruments. Their string teacher was all about making sure that they knew what the note names were. I learned how helpful Suzuki books can be if taught with the knowledge of note reading. It is a must to have a teacher who will instill that into the students or if you don’t have a teacher then to make sure you learn note names. I like this idea of starting with identifying open string notes and then going from there.

[@TheUnofficialGamerx]

Wow, even with this downside I still want to learn Suzuki. Then again, I already know how to sight-read. Strange how for a beginner book it doesn't show the note names, my standard of excellence band books by Bruce Pearson show each new note name and music symbol.

[@JNaomic970]

As a Suzuki teacher, you may have used an old edition of Martini Gavotte. The new edition does not have a multitude of fingerings. Actually, I haven’t seen that many fingerings in 20+ years. I use and love the “I can Read Music” Series. I keep a large blank staff on hand and use poker chips for students to name notes, scales and arpeggios. A four year old is going to label A and E on the staff this morning in her second lesson! Lastly, I made a quiz book for my advanced students- notating pitches and intervals above the staff - teaching high E as “home away from home”😀 If a student is not reading by the time they hit the Bach Double, they are in serious doo doo. My goal is to build them along the way so this doesn’t happen. Thanks for the video! It’s a good warning to avoid finger numbers as much as possible when reading music. Just don’t use out dated Suzuki Literature- perhaps it was from a non Suzuki book? Like I said, haven’t seen Martini Gavotte loaded with fingerings like that.

[@KennedyViolins]

Hmmm... Hard to say. The books I used when I was making the video were old. However, when the video editor showed pictures, they were just off the internet. So, perhaps the very newest books don't put so many fingerings in the more advanced songs. I haven't looked at the newest books in a while. It's great that you're going to so much effort to make sure that your kids learn the note names. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people who teach with these books don't start early enough and it causes problems as I'm sure you're aware. Thanks for the comment!

[@AndyTomaselli]

I got away with playing guitar for 50 years without learning to read music but now now i’m teaching myself at 65 to play violin via Suzuki with CDs. Having just learned the Martini Gavotte I find the lesson more challenging to also play (as instructed) precise intonation in third position. Good advice to become more familiar with note names above the staff lines as I have more or less learned them below as they bottom out at open G. I still end every session just playing 12 bar blues and rock in different keys as it is more fun but I need the discipline of learning classical if for no other reason than to hopefully stave off any possible early dementia 😅

[@KennedyViolins]

Well, like they say, if you don't use it you lose it! Good luck in your happy practicing!

[@shipsahoy1793]

I love the viola sound. I just wish they used the G clef exclusively employing ledger lines for the 1st position notes on the C string. Or maybe use the 8vb marking to avoid a lot of ledger lines when applicable. Because I spent years reading G clef for flute, the C clef still adds confusion for me in the higher positions on the C, G, and D strings. I guess I have to leep hacking away at it until I overcome. It took a while before I stopped getting confused in the first position, and it still happens in the more difficult keys or where there's a lot of accidental activity on the music. My old age isn't helping.. but I enjoy the challenges. Funny, sometimes I be reading a violin part, and I'll be thinking of the note from the C clef instead, so now I'm trying to split time between violin and viola, instead of concentrating on viola all the time.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@neilcam HUH ??!! GO back, read, and actually understand my post, and then if you have something to say that's productive, then say it; your post is absolutely worthless because you're not telling me anything I don't already know! Edit: Do you even realize that the C clef and the alto clef are one and the same thing? I really get tired of all the internet troll hacks that like to think that they know better than everyone else, when they're not even properly educated to comment!

[@upside_down_01]

I've been writing the notes like this: [Flat/Sharp][Note][Octave]-[String][Finger]. An example would be #C5-A2 or A4-A0. I don't really know if I need to include the octave so that it could be something more like #C-A2 or A-A0, but maybe someone else can recommend something better.

[@KennedyViolins]

Wow, that's pretty thorough!

[@MREmusique]

A question for you: do you think the Suzuki books are in any way, shape, or form suitable to an adult beginner... who already has a master's degree in music (composition)? I obviously don't need to learn the notes, nor note values, but am looking for simple music (though for viola, in my particular case) that I - as a VERY basic beginner - can at least enjoy a little bit. I'd like to be more comfortable holding my instrument, holding the bow, and obviously, hitting the RIGHT notes when I see them.

[@KennedyViolins]

Yes, I've done one or two videos about the Suzuki series and how great they are. I highly recommend the Suzuki series books for any beginner violinist, no matter how old you are. As a composition person, the theoretical side of it will obviously be very easy, so the Suzuki songs are fun and have some great exercises that well help you a lot as well. Good luck!

[@neilcam]

This "Suzuki doesn't name the notes" is such a bullshit thing. I've never seen any music name the notes, and a lot of music has suggested fingerings, including advanced stuff. Every method requires you to eventually learn the note names. For me, I bought a music theory book, most methods don't teach you any theory nor what some of the signs (e.g. DC etc) mean.

[@KennedyViolins]

Ya,this video focused on instruction music systems, not sheet music. Perhaps it could've been more clear about that