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More about Suzuki Guitar

We now offer Suzuki Guitar lessons at Silver Music!

We are excited to have guitarist, João Kouyoumdjian, join our faculty this January 2019, teaching private lessons, and Guitar Readiness for young beginners.

There is noticeable crossover between the Suzuki violin/viola/cello repertoire and guitar repertoire. For those children who have been in our RSP classes, many will recognize some of the early guitar repertoire as we sing these pieces and rhythms in our current classes. Regardless of your child’s background, Suzuki Guitar Book 1 starts with pieces most children know already, including Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Frere Jacques and progresses to works by Purcell and Bach by the end of Book 1.

Because the guitar is such a well-known instrument in pop culture and world music, families may be confused about what it means to study “Suzuki” guitar. Students studying Suzuki guitar are learning classical guitar. This style is non-electric, and instruments are wooden with nylon strings (not steel); students use a footstool for proper posture. Suzuki guitar students begin by learning melodies, not chords. As students progress they learn to play the melody and accompaniment on the guitar, similar to the way piano students begin just by learning a melody before adding an accompaniment or variations. There are currently 9 volumes of Suzuki guitar ending with the Sor Variations on a Theme of Mozart and Albeniz Austurias, encompassing music throughout 5 centuries in an organized progression.

Beginning a student on Suzuki guitar will give them the skills and foundation to be able to play a variety of repertoire on guitar, including non-classical. Suzuki develops a student’s ear to be able to relate to music naturally, and carefully builds technique around manageable goals–helping the student gain mastery. Wherever you see yourself, or your child, going with guitar–a Suzuki foundation can help you get there!

Click Here to watch The Sound of Success an informative introduction to Suzuki guitar created by the SAA Guitar Committee.


Email us at silvermusic@silvermusic.org to learn more! We currently have availability on Wednesdays for private lessons and Readiness.

Faculty Feature: Blythe

Blythe Bonnaffons is Program Director at Silver Music. Here is a bit of insight into her early study:

Age you began studying:
I began flute in fourth grade through my school’s band program and began taking private flute lessons that summer. I also started taking piano lessons around the same time. 

Why did you choose the flute?
I thought it was the most beautiful instrument and I had a hard time understanding why anyone would NOT choose to play the flute if they heard it (played well). I still feel that way!

One memory from your lessons or early study:
One of the only negatives of playing a woodwind instrument is that you cannot LAUGH. I loved the social aspect of playing in band and in chamber ensembles but not laughing was a challenge throughout my early flute-playing life. Goofy rehearsals sometimes led to barely making it through a performance. And a couple times I didn’t make it. I have a pretty vivid memory of a NYSSMA flute trio that ended as a solo because two of us were behind our stands laughing. 

Did you always like to practice? If not, how did you, or your parent motivate you to practice?
I didn’t mind practicing, but in middle and high school it was really challenging finding the time. Like many of our Silver Music students, I had a lot going on in school, and after school, and I was exhausted! Being consistent helped–if I could get in practice most days, even for just 10 minutes, it felt like I had kept a promise to myself and it was way easier to keep going. Of course concerts, recitals, and auditions, definitely motivated me too.  

Did you ever want to quit?
I never did! Flute felt like a big part of my identity.

Current Favorite Suzuki Piece:
Humoresque. I’m glad that almost all the Suzuki students at Silver Music (violin, viola, cello, flute) learn this piece because I enjoy hearing everyone play it!

What else do you enjoy doing besides playing flute?
In the pandemic, I have enjoyed getting outside and hiking almost every weekend. During this time I’m also catching up on iconic series that I’ve somehow missed up until to this point. I’ve now watched all of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and I’m halfway through the seventh Harry Potter book.

2020-2021 Honors

Congratulations to our online Fall 2020 Twinkle Grads!:



 

 

 

 

Congratulations for our Spring 2021 Book Recital Graduates!

Donate

If you’d like make a monetary contribution to our school, please submit this Donation Form. Thank you!

We happily accept donated instruments, sheet music, and supplies too!

December Playing Party

Join us for our December Playing Party!

Playing Parties are an opportunity for students to come share music and support their peers! Everyone is invited to perform a piece for the group, or join just to listen. Please RSVP to silvermusic@silvermusic.org to receive the Zoom link.

Details below:

December 21: Open to all ages and levels!
Date: Monday, Dec. 21, 2020*
Time: 8:00am
Host: Ellen Silver
Location: Zoom

*This month’s playing party is held on a Monday morning! December 21 is the last day of Silver Music classes before break, and the first official day of winter. Come celebrate the Winter solstice with music!

November Playing Parties

For the month of November, we’ll be hosting TWO Playing Parties!

Playing Parties are an opportunity for students to come share music and support their peers! Everyone is invited to perform a piece for the group, or join just to listen. For either party, please RSVP to silvermusic@silvermusic.org to receive the Zoom link.

Details below:

Nov 1: Open to all ages and levels!
Date: Sunday, November 1
Time: 5:00pm
Host: Ellen Silver
Location: Zoom
Halloween costumes encouraged!

Nov 8: Open to students 6th grade and up
Date: Sunday, November 1
Time: 5:00pm
Hosts: Sam & Arianna (Silver Music HS Students)
Location: Zoom 
This is a BINGO Playing Party with prizes! Come play your instrument AND play Bingo!

Faculty Feature: Emily

Emily Wilcox teaches Ready, Set, Play! classes at Silver Music. Here is a little insight into her early study:

Age you began studying: 
I was 3 years old when I started violin, 4 when I started piano, and 9 when I started trumpet.

Why did you choose the violin?
My mom and older sister played violin, and my mom was also an orchestra and Suzuki teacher, so I think I was naturally drawn to it just from so much exposure!

Did you always like to practice? If not, how did you, or your parent motivate you to practice?
I definitely did not always like to practice, especially in late elementary school and middle school. During these years, I saw practicing as a chore and my parents usually had to nag me to do it. It was challenging to motivate myself to practice after a long day of school and hours of homework because I just wanted to relax! What helped motivate me most during these years was having goals for myself or musical events to look forward to and work towards such as performances, summer music camps, competitions, and regional festivals (like area all-state and conference all-state).

How did music education affect your life?
Music education has played a huge role in my life. Both of my parents were music teachers, so my sisters and I all grew up with a great appreciation for the arts. My parents always nurtured my artistic and creative endeavors, but encouraged me to pursue whatever career path I wanted. So much of what I’ve learned from music education has helped me become a more empathetic, compassionate, and driven person and has given me invaluable life skills.

Do you have a musical role model?
My biggest role models are some of the music teachers and mentors I had between both my music education and music therapy training. I can think of a few who really stand out to me because they are not only incredible musicians and people, but are incredible teachers/music therapists too.

What else do you enjoy doing besides playing violin?
I love making jewelry, going for walks, exploring new places, and cooking! I also like doing photography or painting sometimes if I’m feeling inspired.

Faculty Feature: Marjie

Marjie Shemanski teaches Ready, Set, Play!, Music & Yoga, and violin group classes at Silver Music. Here is a little insight into her early study:

Age you began studying: I started piano lessons when I was 5 or 6, trumpet a few years after that, and had my first violin lesson when I was 10 years old.

Why did you choose the violin? My Grandma grew up in Jerusalem, and learned to play the violin when she was in school there. My parents had her old violin from that time, and I used to always look at it in awe and wonder if I could play it someday too.

One memory from your lessons or early study: When I was first learning Minuet 2, my teacher did not let me move to the next piece for 6 months! At the time it was frustrating! Looking back on it later, I realized it was one of the first big challenges for me as a musician where I really started to develop patience and discipline.

Did you always like to practice? If not, how did you, or your parent motivate you to practice? I did not always like to practice! Practice charts really motivated me. Sometimes there would be a goal, but other times just finishing the pattern was enough of a reward. My friends and I would have practice challenges too, that really helped motivate me!

Did you ever want to quit? Yes! When I was 12, I had played the violin for two years, and was ready to move on to something else – something easier! By practicing with me consistently, my dad helped me stick with it. My music friends and group class community also encouraged me to keep at it even when it was hard.

How did music education affect your life? Music education has taught me so many things! It’s taught me to listen deeply, which helps me every day as I listen to others, to the world around me, and to myself. It’s helped me learn that with patience, practice and the help of a supportive community, I can accomplish almost anything!

Current Favorite Suzuki Piece: Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus. I love the clear, smooth tones of this piece, and how closely it relates to Tonalization!

What else do you enjoy doing besides playing violin? I love cooking big dinners with seasonal foods from the farmers’ market, listening to and playing music with friends, practicing yoga, and reading about the lives of artists and musicians.

Spring 2020 Honors

It has been a challenging spring and we are extra proud of all our students who met milestones in 2020!

Congratulations to our online Spring 2020 Twinkle Grads!:

Congratulations to online Book Recital students!:


 








 

 

 

 

Congratulations to our Practice Challenge Champions!
100 POINTS ACHIEVED!
Pippa C, flute
Zadie L, flute
Chase L, violin
Cora T, violin
Emily M, violin
Jackson H, violin
Lila Jane H, violin
Suzanna A, violin
Tristan V, violin
Lisa S, cello
Maddie Y, cello
Sebby K, cello
Nora B, piano

200 POINTS ACHIEVED!
Emery C, violin
Remi W, violin
Francie L, cello
Ollie W, cello

Congratulations to our online Suzuki 2020 Festival Participants!:

Faculty Feature: Victor

Victor Dizon teaches private piano lessons at Silver Music. Here is a little insight into his early study:

Age I began studying piano:  Around 5/6, like most of us!

Why did I choose piano?  Good question, I actually did not choose piano, my mom decided…sounds familiar? 😉 I also tried guitar at some point, as well as the electone organ (folks who grew up in the late 70’s and early 80’s would know what it is)! I enjoyed the electone more at some point, but, with a wonderful twist of fate, I ended up being a pianist…

One memory from my lessons or early studies:  One thing that comes to mind as of writing this (during my early studies) is that my piano teacher (1st piano teacher) would use note flashcards and she will make me arrange them from lowest to highest, from left to right against the fallboard of the piano.

Did I always like to practice? If not, how did I (or my parents) motivate me to practice?  Of course not! I was a kid…;) for myself, I did enjoy practicing music that I liked, even those that are way to difficult for me at that time.  As for my parents motivating me? Well…I grew up in Asia…go figure 😀 …(just kidding)!

Did I ever want to quit?  Yes, and I did, for a while, BUT…my mom and I had an agreement: That I will keep playing on my own, and I’m proud to say that I kept my promise!

How did music education affect my life?  Oh, this will need to be a book, but then you won’t read it, so…I would say music has made me the person I am today. Key words that come to mind: respect, patience, understanding, tradition, hard work, love, perseverance.  Everyday of my adult life I’m grateful that I decided to be a musician, both as a performer, and as a music educator.

Do I have a musical role model?  Yes I do, but I will have to say model(s) because there are five! They would be my piano teachers, because each of them, in their own way have helped me grow into who I am both as a person and as a musician!

Current favorite student piece to teach: I would say, for the young ones, it would be pieces that will make the student light up! And that is different for each student! For the advanced student, the moment we get to the level of a classical Sonata, i.e. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, that would be any of them, because each of them (to me) are musical journeys in their own unique way. Personally (as a musician), I have been in a Mozart phase for a number of years now – that would be specific to the Classical period. However, given the choice, I will always gravitate to repertoire from the Romantic period.

My advice to budding piano players:  Keep at it especially the moment it gets challenging, because that’s when you will really start to grow with music.  The moment you realize that it’s not about mastering a piece(s), but rather growing with them, that’s when music will become a lifetime companion.

What else do I enjoy doing besides playing the piano?  There are many…I love exploring/walking around NYC (though not feasible at the moment), photography, spending time with friends, travelling, and definitely a foodie here…and many more!!!