Suzuki in El Sistema

by Shanna Lin, Curriculum Coordinator/ Viola Teacher
Paterson Music Project
from The Ensemble

While the Suzuki Method is usually considered the leading methodology for beginning level instruments, many people have the impression that it’s incompatible with El Sistema. For one reason, they think of Suzuki as a “private lesson” method; for another, they believe that since the initial emphasis is on rote teaching, note reading is taught much later. Ensemble playing is the core of El Sistema philosophy, they argue. And how can you play in orchestra without strong reading skills? However, I think that with some adjustments, Suzuki and Sistema can complement each other. It’s worth the effort, because Suzuki adds value to our work.

Suzuki’s greatest advantage is that it provides a long list of technique-building, beautiful pieces that children around the world can play. Because of the frequency of Sistema instruction, students can easily remember the music. Dan Trahey, Artistic Director of OrchKids, remarks that it is great for string students have a “songbook” they can all easily play together. At the first El Sistema New Jersey Alliance concert, Miki Hatcher, Artistic Director of CHAMPS in Newark, NJ, noticed students from different programs spontaneously playing together when they realized they knew the same songs.

The students at Paterson Music Project are always eager to learn new Suzuki songs because they can be mastered quickly, and therefore performance can happen more frequently. At PMP our violins, violas and cellos play the songs in the same key so that they can play together in orchestra. For beginning students, it’s a great way to introduce ensemble playing without the pressure of having different parts.

Paterson Music Project students rehearsing at Community Charter School of Paterson

For this method to work in El Sistema settings, it is important to include reading activities that allow students to develop necessary skills for orchestra playing. At PMP we perform Suzuki songs in unison from memory, then play 2-3 part songs with music. It’s very possible for students to develop both their ears and reading abilities simultaneously from the start, beginning to create complete musicians from day one.

I strongly believe that the Suzuki method can be a great addition to any El Sistema-inspired program curriculum. It ’s a simple way to provide students with music that is wonder ful to perform and also connects them to a larger network of musicians. How great it would be for all our beginning students to be able to come together and play!