Book Review Beyond the Music Lesson
Here is a book review of Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families, by Christine Goodner. Having experienced every part of the Suzuki triangle herself, she is well qualified to write this book. She took Suzuki lessons as a kid, has been teaching Suzuki violin in the Oregon area for many years, and has also been a Suzuki parent when her son began violin lessons.
As a violin teacher, I found the book extremely helpful to remind me of things I needed to cover with new Suzuki parents/ partners. Christine Goodner writes in the first chapter what motivated her to write this book:
Over the last few years, I have been rethinking how I equip parents to help their student succeed. How do I better explain everything involved in making this work in their daily lives? … I was making a lot of assumptions about what parents already knew and believed. I was sprinkling in information on how to be successful here and there, but I wasn’t addressing it directly enough to help the parents I worked with grasp the importance of what I was saying.
Subjects covered
- Why we listen to CDs.
- What does mother tongue method mean.
- How to create a musical environment for your child.
- Why it is important to practice daily.
- Why reviewing pieces is so important.
- How to structure practice time to help a child be successful.
- The importance of “being present” for the lesson and practice time.
- Tips or making practicing easier.
- The importance of group class.
- Enjoying your Suzuki community.
Christine includes quotes and thoughts from other Suzuki teachers and parents. There are so many tidbits of wisdom included in this book. Everything from ideas on how to make practicing more fun. How to get your listening in daily, building habits. I would recommend that new parents and veteran Suzuki parents read this book. There are good reminders and refreshers for veteran parents.
There may be things that you used to do in the beginning stages that you haven’t done for a while. Has your listening to the CD dropped off? The chapter on listening will remind you of why you need to pop that CD back in your car stereo. Did you have a busy season at work and there were aspects of your job you had to do while you child practiced? Maybe things have settled down, but you are still on your phone or computer during home practice… The chapter on being present will help you live out this value. Do you always have to remind your child to practice? Christine reminds us that just because a child is not self-motivating doesn’t mean they don’t like playing. It’s just the point they are at in their development.
Conclusion
If you are a parent and need some encouragement, motivation or reminders, this is the book for you. Endurance is key in learning an instrument, but it can still be fun and enjoyable. That’s what creates a good learning environment and this book will equip you to do that.
Check out Christine Goodner’s podcast, Beyond the Music Lesson and her other book, Positive Practice: 5 Steps To Help Your Child Develop A Love of Music
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