DAILY LISTENING IS ESSENTIAL

Music is an aural art, an art for the ears. If we don't use our ears to learn the music, we are proceeding as if we are deaf and our ears don't work. Listening for as many hours every day as possible is essential to make the study of the piano fast, easy, and secure.

In the beginning the Suzuki student will not be reading music. By listening daily, the student learns the music. Listening is the key to and the basics of all of the work done at the instrument. If the foundation of listening is done continually and consistently, easy coaching and beautiful playing is the natural result. The music goes in the ears and comes out the fingers.

It is the parent's job to turn on CD/tape and provide the listening. Listening to beautiful music of all kinds is the most important thing that you do for your Suzuki student.

 

LISTEN TO THE WHOLE CD/TAPE SEVERAL TIMES EACH DAY

Obtain a good programmable CD player and/or an auto reverse/continuous play tape recorder for the student's room and other areas in the home and car. It is best to also have the option of treble and bass controls and an earphone jack.

    A.  Program CD player to repeat or continuous playing tape player to play the music all night long, very softly during sleep.

1.    The student will wake up singing the songs.

2.    The listening gets done so easily in this manner.

3.    It is easier on the tape to use a continuous play recorder, .

    B.  Play the CD/tape and other good recordings during waking hours.

1.    Play the CD/tape every night as you go to sleep.

2.    Play it again before and during wake up

3.    Play it in the morning and at night while washing face, brushing teeth, combing hair and dressing etc.

4.    Play it before beginning a practice session.

5.    Play it any time during the day or night in the car.

6.    If you have earphones, use them for private listening. Be very careful that sound is not too loud. Loud earphones can and do damage ears and this damage is permanent.

Listening is vital for good progress in playing the piano. Listening teaches:

    1.  The melody and accompaniment. Both parts sound at the same time and you hear how each one fits with the other.

    2.  The dynamics - the louds and softs of each piece.

    3.  The tempo or the speed. Don't worry if the speed seems too fast at first. It will be just right later.

    4.  The phrasing and mood of piece as a whole.

Listening is even more important than practicing! If you haven't practiced as much as usual, listen even more that day.

    1.  If you are going to be gone on vacation, take CD/tape with you. Even if you can't practice, you can listen.

    2.  When in a strange place, listening to CD/tape will give the student the security and comfortable reminder of home.

While observing my teacher as part of my training, I watched a six year old student take lessons week after week. She was unable to practice during a week in Hawaii on vacation. The smart mother's criteria in renting a car was that it had to have a tape deck. After driving around Maui for a week listening to the tape, this student still played very well because she had done so much listening!

Have fun in the listening. You will hear something new and different when you listen carefully each day, especially when you know the pieces very well!