Double Bass Suzuki Method for bass?

[Stan Haskins]

Not fair is right.

But please, tell me more. Any new methods for getting kids started is appreciated.

 

[Anon2962]

I'll ask more about it on thursday when i have a lesson. here's what i know about colour strings: beginners read from a stave with 4 lines, which (i think) correspond to the strings on the bass. there's also someting about how the key signature is drawn with pictures or something...

anyway, from what i've heard young kids find it much easier to understand and leads to an easier understanding of keys etc when they progress.

Also there is group lessons (like suzuki) and the parents are more involved than, say, the 'normal' way of teaching..

it is very interesting tho. and my teacher travels giving masterclasses on how to teach it, so i think he'll be a good guy to talk to. I'll let you know.

 

[mchildree]

Kids? Heck with that! I'm 43 and I'd love to have access to a method like Suzuki.

 

[Stan Haskins]

Kids? Heck with that! I'm 43 and I'd love to have access to a method like Suzuki.

No Kidding [har, har]. I'm not yet at the level of playing that many of the forum members seem to be at, but I'm all grown up with a degree in music and another in education, and I still think I have so much to learn from this stuff.

My four year old daughter and I are doing a Suzuki piano class, and I can tell it's just as effective for adults.

I can't wait to learn more about the bass pedagogy this summer! (I'm really doing it as a sneaky way to become a better player myself - Like you said, MC - Heck with 'em)

 

[Stan Haskins]

Well, after doing the research, contacting Ms. Dixon, getting approval from my school district, and blowing a wad of dough, I'm off to the Suzuki Institute in Colorado in a few weeks.

After taking the prerequisite course (not instrument specific) a couple of weeks ago, I can say that it has already had a profound effect on both the way I teach and the way I play/practice.

I'm looking forward to learning more, and will post anything I think might be interesting.

 

[Chris Rose]

Dr. Dan Swaim (former Arizona State Prof) teaches Suzuki bass at a yearly camp at Northern Arizona University. If you apply early enough, scholorships are available to cover the cost of tuition, especially for bass players. Just pay to get to Arizona, (I know, small task) and plan a side trip to the Grand Canyon!

 

[anthem274]

Just a thought:

The Suzuki Method usually develops great intonation and phrasing abilities in begginers. However, anyone who starts on the Suzuki method usually has a great deal of trouble when it comes to sightreading music or counting alone! So, if Suzuki is your style of teaching, make sure to implement subdivision techniques as well.

You probably already know this, but, you know, just in case...

 

[Stan Haskins]

Yeah, I've heard this before, but I'm not convinced it's true.

In my experience, so far:

Through traditional training, learning to read is a prerequisite to playing.
-Some kids learn to read fairly well, and can play well. They have no problem.
-Some kids struggle with reading, can't play with their ears open (miss accidentals, use inappropriate phrasing, poor intonation . . . ) and they may or may not get over that stage with alot of work (many of my kids don't have lots of support at home or other motivation aside from what I give them)
-Some kids don't "get" reading, and there is not enough time in the day for me to drill it with them till they get it. They get frustrated and quit, thinking that they just can't "do" music.

I don't like the last result. Suzuki methodology seems to have found some acceptable solutions to it.

However, your point is well taken. It's just that sight reading is not a prerequisite for making good music (unless you plan to be a pro orchestra player - different story.)

Not for nothing, I've met alot of orchestra players who can't handle syncopated rhythms without lots of work. They didn't learn using Suzuki methodology . . .

 

[Stan Haskins]

I'm not trying to resurrect this dead thread, I got all the help I needed from it (Thanks, J - Virginia's great)

However, I would like to suggest that there might be room in the forum for "pedagogy" threads (Orch technique just seemed like the only place when I first started looking for help)

Any thoughts?

 

[Jleonardbc]

I'm at Wheaton College in Illinois, where Ms. Dixon teaches; I talked to another bass guy who said he's currently in book 5 (only books 1-3 are on the market yet; she's working on the newer books with some other people) of Suzuki. I'm looking forward to it; I think my first lesson is Friday.

 

[Stan Haskins]

I think my first lesson is Friday.

You're gonna love her - She's an excellent player and teacher, and an exceptional person.

 

[Stan Haskins]

I just dug up this old thread to point interested people towards a series of articles I just published about Virginia Dixon and the Suzuki Bass method - You can start with that link, and if you want to read more, there are more links at the bottom of the article.

Here's my Favorite quote from the interview with Ms. Dixon:
"Music can be a very noble art. It can inspire many things including collaboration, inner discipline, a feeling of fulfillment, and deep peace. We have too precious little of these things in this warring world of ours."

 

[Jim Carr]

Thanks for this!