What are the 3 types of violin learning methods?

Posted by Rae Lee on December 2nd, 2020

Many musical instruments are enjoyable to learn. There can be a piano, guitar, and violin lessons. These instruments are available to everyone at any given age. Nowadays, learning the violin is widely popular. It is because it does not only teach you to play an instrument. It also teaches you to be more disciplined and patient. Since it is a complicated philosophy or art, it takes hard work to perfect it. 

There are also several methods on how to learn how to play the violin. These methods can be done in a group or private violin lessons. There are many existing ways because it is not enclosed into one method. Learning the violin is complicated enough to be tied into one learning method. That is why, in this article, we will talk about the three methods of learning the violin. 

#1 Suzuki Method

This method was developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, an accomplished Japanese violinist. He formed this method together with his siblings. It originated based on Suzuki's observation of children. He concluded that children can learn their native language easily. It is specifically designed for children to learn as early as possible. He said that children’s environment has a great influence on their development. Using this method, children take violin lessons as early as two or three years old. It may be in a group or private violin lessons. They are exposed to classical recordings and pieces at an early age. 

The Suzuki students are expected to learn these pieces in no time. Background music is played in their violin lessons Singapore sessions for them to immediately absorb these. It is believed that they eventually learn to develop their ears for music which will be able to detect pitch, timing, and tone. They also develop technical skills like finger flexibility early on. They can be learning alone through private violin lessons. Or they can interact with other Suzuki students in violin lessons Singapore class. 

This method emphasizes the importance of the involvement of parents. They acknowledge that the involvement of parents in this process will play an important role. Parents are even expected to attend lessons together with their children. 

#2 Kodaly Method

This method was not exactly developed by Zoltan Kodaly but it was under his guidance during the 1940s. It is also believed that engaging in early violin lessons Singapore sessions or anywhere else is a great start to learn. It is founded on the belief that music learning is most effective when started early because everyone is capable of music literacy. It emphasizes that singing is the foundation of musicianship. 

The technique is to listen to native folk songs. This method will lead students to other great country music and culture. It can be done through group lessons or private violin lessons. They will be asked to play music, sing, and dance from memory as they try to master this skill. They will first learn how to read music and then go to composing pieces. Some techniques used in this method are tonic sulfa, hand signals, and rhythmic duration syllables. Unlike the Suzuki method, this method asks parents to be passive. They believe that music teachers should be the primary instructor.

#3 Traditional Method

The majority still go for the traditional method as many are vouching for its effectiveness. It is believed that "The Art of Playing on the Violin" by Francesco Geminiani is one of the first violin instruction books. This book discussed basic violin playing skills such as scales, fingering, and bowing. Unlike the first two methods, this one requires the child to be at least five years old before learning. 

Students are pushed to learn alone on their skills after violin lessons Singapore sessions. This method is focused on note reading that can begin with simple tunes to more complicated pieces. They are taught to read notes first instead of being familiar with tones and timings. This method works well with private violin lessons since the teacher and student can focus more on individual progress. The parents’ role in this method is like Kodaly. The parents usually play a passive role in their children’s learning. It is usually the music teacher that takes the primary role of an educator.

Learn with us

There may be various lessons to learn but every method is surely effective. With Violin Lessons Singapore, find what method fits you best. We ensure quality and enjoyable violin lessons Singapore sessions.