<p>Hey. I started playing the violin a little more than a year ago (beginning of Sophomore year in HS). I was wondering if the Suzuki Method is any good. I've heard mixed reviews about it, so I'm confused. Is this really worth trying or is there a better method?</p>
<p>most kids I know who tried for the Suzuki method ended up burning out early. I don't think it's quite that good--one of my friend's in Gov School really didn't like it much...he had a lot of talent, but his technique was HORRIBLE as a result. I'd say just get a very good private teacher and (after securing that they're really good) follow the teacher's lead.</p>
<p>Back when I played the viola, I used the Suzuki books but I was never a formal student of the 'method'.</p>
<p>The すずき books are great.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, just keep playing, no matter how difficult it gets. At the time when I quit four years ago, I could not take it anymore. Practicing meant nothing to me, and it was so much more of a burden than a pleasure. I felt as if a weight had been removed from my shoulders when I stopped. Looking back, I understand how difficult of a block it was for me to surpass in order to 'reach the next level'. I kind of regret quitting, but at the time, I felt no love for it anymore.</p>
<p>So, seriously, keep going! Don't ever quit.</p>
<p>This seem mind grasping. Should I give it a try? Maybe take bi-weekly lessons for an hour each and see how it goes? </p>
<p>This is my 2nd year in orchestra in HS, and it really sucks. We have a teacher who doesn't know how to play string instruments. She only knows how to play the flute. I have been playing the violin for a little more than 1 year and I can make a better sound than her.</p>
<p>I really think I should get a private tutor to help me improve, because I really like playing my violin.</p>
<p>And what are "すずき" books? How did u make those symbols here?</p>
<p>suzuki method is excellent in the sense that you explore music in a way that you would not do in a traditional learning style: you memorize all your pieces and your ear training is superb. just make sure you find a proper teacher, thats the most important thing. it doesnt matter what method a teacher uses, if they're bad, they're bad.</p>
<p>XGods is right. You can have perfect pitch but it doesn't matter if your technique is just off. And if a teacher is good, he/she won't limit themselves to one method exclusively, but formulate a method tailored to your needs/styles/abilities. The most important thing is not what songs you learn, but how you learn them, so you can apply the knowledge to more than just one song. if that makes sense.</p>
<ol>
<li>developing perfect pitch is not something that you can just sit down and do...many say that it's impossible.</li>
<li>while the suzuki method is tried and true, I think that beginning musicians would benefit tremendously from learning how to read music, ie standard notation, instead of just learning how to play by ear. this distinction separates a violinist, guitarist, etc. from a musician. IMHO, that is.</li>
</ol>
<p>lil_killer129, suzuki in Japanese Hiragana is すずき. The Chinese characters, or kanji, are 鈴木.</p>
<p>I use Linux, so I use SCIM to input Chinese and Japanese.</p>
<p>Also, give that teacher a shot.</p>