July 14, 1998
Contact:
Ann Marie Deer Owens, (615) 322-NEWS
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Approach Musical Training Like Language Education, Vanderbilt Teacher Says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Recent research suggesting the value of musical training in enhancing children's brain development and cognitive skills has helped propel the growth of early-childhood music education programs across the United States.
In addition, the Suzuki method of musical education, developed by the late Shinichi Suzuki, has been credited for a resurgence of interest among American parents in musical training for their children. Parents willing to make a strong commitment to their child's musical education should consider lessons before the age of six, according to the director of the Suzuki Program at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music.
"While there was a downward trend in the number of American children learning how to play musical instruments in the 1960s, we now have waiting lists of families wanting to enroll in the Suzuki classes at Blair," said Smith, who is also a senior artist teacher at Blair. Smith said that some girls are ready to enter the classes as early as the age of three-and-a-half, while boys generally wait until at least their fourth birthday.
Benefits of an early musical education include: eye-hand coordination, improved memory, better musical pitch, the ability to follow directions and work in a group setting as well as development of a sense of discipline, according to Smith.
Signs that indicate a child's readiness for musical training include singing and/or humming various songs and a developing awareness of the various musical instruments. Smith said some parents opt to give their child music lessons even if he or she has not yet shown an interest. "Teaching a child to play a musical instrument should be similar to teaching a baby how to speak," Smith said. The Suzuki teaching method is based on the belief that toddlers can learn to play by imitation and memory, rather than by reading notes. "We find that it is too distracting with very young children to have them try to read printed music while learning eye-hand coordination," Smith said.
Another distinguishing aspect of Suzuki is the nurturing role of the parent in the learning process. Parents are required to attend the private lessons as well as the group sessions, both of which are weekly. They also are expected to guide their young child's practice sessions at home. In addition, the students are expected to hear recordings of classical music every day. The music can be played at home, in the car or wherever convenient.
"We delay the reading of music, just as we do not have children read books before they have learned to speak the language," Smith said. The Suzuki method of teaching began with the violin, but now the approach is used with all the stringed instruments, as well as with harp, voice, guitar, piano and flute.
"While many students who learn through the Suzuki method become proficient musicians, our overall goal is building better human beings," Smith said. "While we are preparing some of our young people for future positions in symphony orchestras, we are building future audiences to appreciate their classical performances." For more news about Vanderbilt, visit the News and Public Affairs home page on the Internet at www.vanderbilt.edu/News/ -VU-
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