Although it started as a violin teaching approach, the Suzuki method is now used for many other instruments, including flute and piano. Dr. Suzuki based his approach to teaching music on his observations of childhood language development. He believed children learn their first language in such an apparently effortless way because learning this complicated skill happens in a nurturing environment with constant encouragement from the child's parents. The Suzuki Method aims to re-create this loving environment by gently encouraging children to learn a musical instrument and to involve parents in the learning process.
Dr. Suzuki believed children's mother-tongue intuition and ability evolves from listening, so children learn music by listening to recordings or live performances rather than reading sheet music. Reading music is usually delayed until the student is quite advanced because Dr. Suzuki thought music learning should mimic first language acquisition, which happens without textbooks. Just as parents provide a role model for how to speak, watching and listening to musical performers teaches children technical skills as well as nuances of pitch and tone. Before beginning a new piece of music, the child should listen to a recording several times and should continue listening to the recording while learning the piece.
Another aspect of the Suzuki Method is regular practice. It is believed that children are able to acquire language at such a young age because they practice it all day, every day. Learning with the Suzuki Method requires daily practice sessions, usually 15 to 30 minutes. Although children shouldn't be forced to practice, parents actively participate in practice sessions to offer encouragement and make gentle corrections, just as they did when the child was learning to speak. Parents also attend their children's' weekly music lessons where the teacher instructs them about what to work on with their children so they can help with the musical education without knowing how to play the instrument themselves.
In the Suzuki Method, students are taught to master each piece of music they learn. Even after they have learned and memorized a piece, they are often asked to return to that piece in order to work on new techniques and skills without being hampered by learning new music. Group practice sessions are also part of the method, where students play together with other students, giving them an opportunity to learn from more-advanced students and benefit from a social learning atmosphere. Public performance is integral to the method as well, which helps children gain confidence and teaches them they have something to give to other people.