Resources for families
Free tools for practice at home, and the books and recordings we recommend to Suzuki parents.
Practice tools
Tuning notes
Hear each open string’s note, for violin and viola.
Metronome
A steady beat from 40 to 208 beats a minute.
Practice chart
A printable week of practice, a line for each day.
Reading for Suzuki parents
Parents are their child’s practice partners at home, and these books help. The first three are by Dr. Suzuki and by Suzuki teachers who were also parents.
Nurtured by Love
Shinichi Suzuki, translated by Waltraud Suzuki (Alfred Music)
Dr. Suzuki explains the ideas behind his teaching through stories from his life and teaching, and makes his case for starting early and for the high potential of every child.
Ability Development from Age Zero
Shinichi Suzuki, translated by Mary Louise Nagata (Alfred Music)
Written for Suzuki parents as a sequel to Nurtured by Love, it shows how to make a warm home that encourages a young child’s ability.
To Learn with Love: A Companion for Suzuki Parents
William and Constance Starr (Alfred Music)
A handbook on practice, motivation, learning, competition, and family life, by teachers and performers who were Suzuki parents themselves.
Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making It Easier
Edmund Sprunger (Yes Publishing)
Short sections for busy parents, most of them two to four pages, on the most common concerns of practicing an instrument with a child. The publisher suggests ordering single copies from Johnson Strings.
The Suzuki Violinist: A Guide for Teachers and Parents
William Starr (Alfred Music)
An illustrated guide to the Suzuki violin pieces, with a musical example for each suggested exercise and a chapter called “Practice Can Be Fun.” It covers the violin only.
Listening
The Suzuki books have recordings of their pieces, and listening every day is part of the method. Alfred Music publishes both: the Suzuki Violin School comes with a CD for each of volumes 1 to 8, and the Suzuki Viola School with one for each of volumes 1 to 9.
Alfred also sells the recordings as downloads and streams them in its Alfred Media app. Older recordings may not have the same pieces as the current books, so check that a recording matches your child’s book.
Suzuki audio downloads
The recordings from Alfred Music.
Listening to the Suzuki Recordings at Home
Our article on how families fit daily listening into the day.
From the Suzuki Association of the Americas
About the Suzuki Method
The association’s beliefs: every child can learn, music is taught the way children learn language, and a parent helps at home.
Articles for Parents
Articles and talks for Suzuki families, on practicing, on raising more than one young musician, and more.
Summer institutes
Week-long summer camps for Suzuki families across the United States and Canada, where parents attend classes with their children.
Friends and Family Membership
Parents can join the association, with a year of the American Suzuki Journal, its video library, and discounts on Suzuki books.
From our blog
A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Young Violinists
Your part at lessons and at home.
What is the Suzuki Method?
How the method works for young violinists.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Violin Lesson
Before the first lesson.
Practice Makes Progress
Practice tips for beginners.
Practicing the Way Memory Works
Practice that lasts, from Make It Stick.
How to Choose the Right Violin Size
How a fit is checked.
Should You Rent or Buy a Violin?
Renting, buying, and what to look for.
What to bring to each lesson
Your instrument, bow, rosin, music books, and a notebook. Your teacher may suggest other materials as your student grows.
The rest of the studio’s policies are in our Studio and Lessons Policies.
Sources
- Nurtured by Love (First Edition), Alfred Music
- Ability Development from Age Zero, Alfred Music
- To Learn with Love, Alfred Music
- The Suzuki Violinist (Revised), Alfred Music
- Titles, Yes Publishing
- Ordering, Yes Publishing
- Bibliography, Suzuki Association of the Americas
- Suzuki Audio Downloads, Alfred Music
- Suzuki Violin School, Alfred Music
- Suzuki Viola School, Alfred Music
- Violin, International Suzuki Association
- Viola, International Suzuki Association
- Library of Congress catalog record, Helping Parents Practice, Library of Congress
Ready to make music with us?
Book a free trial lesson, or register for violin or viola lessons or a group class, and we will help your family find the right start.