Music programs for pre-schoolers

[Jim MacDaniel]

Do you have any experience with, and thoughts to share, or recomendations to make regarding music education programs for toddlers such as those from Yamaha and Suzuki? I am not intending to become a stage-Dad by any means, but if they are beneficial in helping my boy Aidan, who turns 4 in August, to develop his musical language and thinking skills earlier and more completely than via conventional grade-school level piano or stringed instrument lessons, then I am all for it. My primary concern is that the program should be designed to be more fun and interactive, than academic in nature.

Your thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations?

[David Miller]

Jim,

I myself am a product of the Suzuki method. I began violin when I was 4, and my sister started at the same time when she was three. Now that I am a music teacher myself, I can look back and appreciate much of what the method has to offer. I guess I had fun doing it, because here I am still playing 36 years later. Suzuki's main philosophy is to teach music at the same time, and in much the same way, that language is being acquired. I still credit my Suzuki training for my ability to memorize music very quickly, and to be able to play almost anything that I hear. One thing that probably helped me a bit, though, was that my Suzuki instructor did mix in a bit of "traditional" instruction, especially concerning reading notation. I am sure that helped me as well. I hope this information helps! Whatever you do, dont push it. (I am having to think much along the same lines myself at the moment, as my daughter turns three in a couple months, and is already quite musical...)

[Jim MacDaniel]

Thank you David. That is good to hear.

BTW, great logo on your web site. :mandosmiley: