I’m very lucky in my son’s violin teacher. She is so kind and patient, not only with M, but with me too. While M is learning the important lessons of appropriate lesson behavior, self-confidence, and persistence, I’m learning some pretty important lessons too.
suzuki violin
Character Development and the Suzuki Method…
(An edited version of this article appeared in the Plucky Violin Teacher email community in June.) In much of Dr. Suzuki’s writings he talked about the importance of developing the character of the child as well as the musicianship. It’s an abstract concept that is sometimes difficult to translate into our day-to-day interactions with our […]
Self-Confidence and the Suzuki Method…
I’ve spent the last month really focusing on self-confidence. I’ve been reflecting and journaling about self-confidence daily. As I did this deep dive into the concept of self-confidence, I realized that developing self-confidence is a big part of why my children are in Suzuki lessons. I also saw how a lack of self-confidence can make […]
Plucky Violin Teacher Book Club…Teaching Genius: Dorothy Delay and the Making of a Musician
Whenever a few people discuss music teachers they’ve had or watched, they discuss whether they’re a “tough” teacher or a “nice” teacher. The conversation continues as if there were only two options; a tough teacher that gets things done with well set-up, nice sounding students, or a nice teacher that lets things go to maintain […]
Small Shifts: I’m Ready to Learn
I always knew I wouldn’t be teaching my own children the violin. Practice helper at home? I’m all in. But, being the teacher? No, thanks. I wanted to have someone in my corner. Someone I could reach out to for advice, and help on this journey. And, it doesn’t hurt to be able to say, […]
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome (For Suzuki Teachers)
Imposter Syndrome, or the belief that you are not qualified for your job despite evidence to the contrary, is a plague that affects almost everyone I know. I’ve heard about it from engineers, teachers, writers, business owners, and of course, music teachers. (And it probably doesn’t help that you’re told by everyone you know that […]
PVT Small Shifts Series: Energy Matching
This is part of a new series about subtle changes we have made that have made a big difference in our teaching. I used to think that the key to getting a child to change their behavior was to model it–to the extreme. A very wiggly, distracted kid needed me to be be calm and […]
Plucky Violin Teacher Book Club Review: Simplicity Parenting
Every discussion about a parenting book should probably start with a disclaimer: This book works for me. It works for my kids. I do not know you. I do not know your kids. Consider it and use it or throw it in the garbage. Amen. I first read Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of […]
Practicing with Interrupting Younger Siblings: The Unhelpful Helper
Shall we start this blog post with an embarrassing confession? Okay, great, here it is: Almost every time I finish practice with my adorable pre-Twinkler, I hide in my closet and eat chocolate for a few minutes. Between my daughter’s perfectionism and distractibility and my two year old literally throwing a basketball at us through […]
One Point Lessons…
I have heard from so many amazing teacher trainers about the importance of a one point lesson. I have nodded, and enthusiastically written “Only one thing in the lesson!” in my notes. Then, I go home, look at my students, and think, “How? Let’s do a five point lesson instead.” When you have spent years […]