New this Spring: 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!