European Suzuki Association - Teachers Newsletter Vol 38 2018

20 Suzuki—Tools for Life Sven Sjogren contd/3 grown ups “against” a little child. We teachers and parents want so much and therefore constantly have to be extremely aware of not being too de- manding – not wanting too much. For me personally, a precious reminder of this is the international bowing to one another at the beginning of each group class or individual lesson. For many years this was cause for heightened discussion in my country. “What?! To just bring one part of the Japanese culture like that? To SWEDEN?!” (We don´t bow very much in everyday life). However, think if someone somewhere else has found something that we still haven´t got enough of – like respect? This wonderful tool to create a silent and concentrated start of the lesson is also a great tool to show respect. Any- one thinking we suffer from too much respect in Sweden? Another danger lurking in this teaching is that we risk making the student pas- sive. In the beginning the participation of the parent is necessary, not least because of practical needs. But our ultimate goal must always be to create not only a harmonic human being, but also an independent human being. Have you also observed this scenario - A stressed and worn-out parent comes staggering to the lesson with a cello in one hand, a chair in the other and at the same time trying to keep the bag with the music and end pin anchor hanging on her shoulder. And the stu- dent? The student is 11 and comes strolling right after, deeply absorbed in the mobile phone. Already at the be- ginner stage a slow and never ending nurturing of our dear student starts. Our goal is a person able to give and receive love, a person who gets en- riched by music and art, a person who´s got a good control of life – al- ways ready to tackle new challenges in a constructive way. A musician? May- be. This long term training of our students has to start quite early – in some cases almost from the very first lessons. How can we do that? Well, we have to be good at choosing some activities to be simplified enough, so it will be pos- sible to learn and perform even for the very young students. Examples: To make a nice bow in front of “an audi- ence” before even playing, to play only one note ta-ka-ta-ka-taa-taa in con- cert. In Suzuki we wait to start read- ing music. Yes, of course we do and for many good reasons, but notice that even “note reading” can be ex- tremely simplified; writing and counting lines in the staff, play with rhythm cards and so forth. The sign of a good pedagogy is, that the teach- ing is served in many and very small steps. When this is the case, the stu- dent learns without any bigger hard- ships and enjoys the teaching much more, than if there are some major difficulties in the process. Suzuki in the future I strongly believe that the Suzuki ped- agogy has a great potential to survive and develop. Dr. Suzuki got a very long life, during which he constantly worked extremely hard to make his ideas not only survive, but also devel- op in the hands of mature people. The maturity needs to be used in an apprehensive way, that can build on an old basic foundation and at the same time include modern technique and ways of thinking. We have to work with a lot of energy. The “Doomsday Clock” was created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scien- tists at the University of Chicago in 1947. This group of scientists had helped to develop the first atomic weapons. It represents an analogy for the threat of global nuclear war. Today, the group includes physicists and environmental scientists from around the world, who decide wheth- er to adjust the clock in consultation with the group's Board of Sponsors - which includes Nobel laureates. Since 2007, it has also reflected cli- mate change a nd new developments in the life sciences and technology that could inflict irrevocable harm to humanity. For the moment it shows 2 minutes to 12 (midnight symbolizes the complete world destruction). Since 1947 it has varied a lot. The closest to 12 was in 1953 and now again in 2018. So, how can we in this time on earth make our children feel secure, happy and looking forward to the future? How do we ourselves – parents and teachers – find comfort, when so many of the political leaders of this world seem so lost? Well, there is hope! Maybe the Suzuki Approach is one of the really realistic ways to move the hands of this clock backwards again. If we look at the newborn child with Suzuki glasses on, we see a small human being with an empty tool belt. With the help of playing and learning music, we keep filling all the empty holders in this belt with tools for life. Not only do we help this little person to develop musicality, we also help to de- velop all the necessary skills it takes to live a full and rich life. What could be more important? We´ve got a legacy. Let us together keep up the good work! ‘If love is deep, much can be accomplished’ Shinichi Suzuki Sven Sjögren President Swedish Suzuki Association 1983-2018 ESA Country Director Sweden from start until 2018, served as Hon. Secre- tary until 2007 After studies with Dr. Suzuki ESA Violin Teacher Trainer since 1985 Member of ISA Board from 2000-2006