Beyond the Music Lesson:Habits of Successful Suzuki Families

by Christine E. Goodner

Suzuki teacher and author, Christine Goodner, explores what it takes to make music lessons work in our busy, modern lives in her first book, Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families.

Using exclusive interviews, current research, and Goodner’s own experience as a student, parent, and teacher, this book gives practical advice, specific ideas, and big-picture concepts sure to help every parent who reads it.

Whether you are just beginning music lessons with your child or are an experienced parent looking for extra ideas and support, Beyond the Music Lesson will inspire you with new insight, motivation, and ways to make the process more successful in your own family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Music, Parenting, Teaching

143 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2017

About the author

Christine Goodner is a dynamic and experienced Suzuki teacher with over 18 years of experience in music education. Her unique blend of expertise in music, child development, and leadership gives her a holistic approach to working with teachers, students, and their parents. You can read more of her writing and find updates on new projects on her blog SuzukTriangle.com.

Reviews

[Katie]

I really loved this book. Not only did it inform me how to be a "Suzuki parent," but also gave me insight for my homeschooling, parenting, and how to approach learning music again myself.

[Kara Whitford]

While aimed at helping parents practice with their students, this book gave me some much-needed reminders for setting up students to practice during the week. While I don't go whole-heartedly suzuki with my violin students, some aspects of the program that I had initially valued have slowly been left behind and will be making a comeback in my studio.

[Sally Cathcart]

This book was really helpful for me. It’s interesting reading from a teacher who has been on all sides of the Suzuki triangle. I enjoy reading the advice she has for parents as I have no experience in being a practice parent.

[Brittney]

We don’t do Suzuki, but every time I read this our practices got better. We listen to more music, practice time is more fun, we review pieces better, the list is huge. Highest recommendation.

[Janelle]

Not just for Suzuki parents, I think. My daughter is taking music lessons, and I picked this up because we're struggling to get her to practice. I was desperate for any kind of tips I could get my hands on.

This slim volume is one of those books where none of the advice is ground-breaking/game-changing, but I still benefited from having it all said by someone else in a gentle, but firm voice. While it hasn't been the solution to all our practice-related woes, it's been a helpful reminder.

The only thing I wish Goodner had addressed would be the feature of Suzuki lessons which ask the parent to learn to play alongside the child (at least in the early years). There's very little advice to that end-learning in tandem with your child seems enormously challenging, but somehow Suzuki families must go through this. What advice is there for the parents? Should they practice at the same time as the child? Independently? When does it make sense to play together? As a non-Suzuki parent, this wouldn't be relevant to me, but I expected this topic to be addressed in a book aimed at "successful Suzuki families".

A small quibble for a very good book.

[Julia Shumway]

My only complaint about this book is that I wish it were longer. I found it very, very helpful (and I would highly recommend Christine E. Goodner's podcast, too). For one, it made me feel less crazy - I *know* helping a child practice isn't effortless for anyone, but without actually seeing into their homes, it's hard to know how hard it can be for other families. So, hearing that it's difficult for others was really validating. I also really appreciated all of Goodner's strategies for getting more out of practice times and for making the time less painful. I've switched my daughter through a few different teachers, and this booked helped to make me feel secure with the choice we've taken to move her to Suzuki.

[Melissa Menten]

This is a well-organized thoughtful book for parents of Suzuki music students. Getting a child started on a musical instrument is a big commitment, and Ms. Goodner does an excellent job of discussing how parents can best help their children in their study, as well as give parents encouragement for being the best cheerleaders possible. This is very easy to read, but lends itself well toward reading a bit at a time. As a Suzuki violin teacher, I am recommending this to all the families in my studio.

[Maiella]

In very simple and easy to understand language, the author breaks down the activities that parents can do to support their children in learning music. But it's not just about music. It's about developing habits that form the basis of a lifelong search for excellence. I've always wondered how my mom managed to inspire us to love learning and now I realize that much of it was build into the small daily habits formed as an early Suzuki student. I am hoping that this book helps me become a better parent and inspire my own children in a similar way.

[Anna]

This book was assigned reading for my daughter’s Suzuki violin class, and I found myself enjoying it much more than I though I would! Helping my children practice their instruments can feel like a chore at times, but this book inspired me to think about the process differently. Whether one uses this book as they study Suzuki, provide instrument instruction in a different forum, or are simply helping a child develop a skill that requires daily practice, this book makes suggestions for making the process fun and rewarding for both the parent and the child.

[Jennifer]

Loved this book. Highlighted half of it. Wished I had read it whilst still a student, but so excited to start this journey with my little one. Christine Goodner is like Amy Chua’s (nice) alter ego. Goodner does such a good job arguing for the parent’s involvement in daily practice and gives wonderful advice for keeping a positive environment and good attitude, even when the going gets tough. I know I’ll be coming back to this as a reference and reminder in the years to come.

[Megan Titensor]

This book is a much-needed resource for Suzuki families. It gets to the heart of WHY we commit to this musical endeavor. Rather than focusing on the to-do list of all that needs to be accomplished in the lifestyle of the modern family, we can now have a to-BE list. Music lessons help us identify what kind of people we want to BE.

[Joalan Encarnacion]

Excelente guía para Padres

[Alessandro Rosborough]

It has good ideas, but not a very engaging book. I would recommend to anyone whose children want to study music.

[Jennifer Pina]

A great book for establishing good habit patterns and working toward any goal, not just music!

[K C]

This was a great read for me. It's really inspired me to try to provide and prioritize practice, in all forms. We are even on vacation and find ways to talk about rhythms, music, etc. While we are away!!