Suzuki may be a name renowned for automobiles, but this book introduces us to a very different Suzuki – the Suzuki who was a world leader in the teaching of music.
Dr Shinichi Suzuki, creator of “The Suzuki Method”, is well remembered for his extraordinary warmth, care, and sense of humour.
Part biography, part memoir, this important book recalls scenes from Suzuki’s life, and many of the author’s own experiences as his student in Japan. Both humorous and culturally informative, this book illustrates how Suzuki was influenced by Japanese history and his Zen beliefs, making him “the son of his environment”.
Above all, this book reminds us that Suzuki gave far more to the world than just a method of teaching. In the book Suzuki Violin School, Volume 1, Dr Suzuki gives an impassioned plea to parents:
Please raise your child to be a fine human being.
Students, teachers, and lovers of music and history alike will enjoy this stroll through the life and teachings of the quick-witted Dr Suzuki, who turned the music education world upside down.
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
It is now 15 years since Dr Suzuki passed away in January 1998. All over the world are many thousands of teachers, parents and children involved in the Suzuki approach to learning music who have never seen Dr Suzuki, never heard his voice, and may not even have seen a photo of him. Yet he was a notable pioneer in a remarkable system of education that has spread all over the world.
Lois Shepheard’s highly readable and enjoyable book about Dr Suzuki is a must for all Suzuki Music members as well as anyone interested in music education. It provides valuable background to Shinichi Suzuki’s development of a child-centred and natural approach to learning music, and brings this wonderful man to life through her personal experiences of working with him in Japan, and through numerous amusing anecdotes.
All Suzuki members should read this book to find out about Dr Suzuki’s immense generosity, in both the material and spiritual senses, about his deep thinking on the nature of music and education, about his selfless concern for others in any situation, and about his total devotion to his cause of bringing happiness to the world’s children through a method of teaching that aims to develop the character and sensitivity of the child.
– Julia Breen, Director of Professional Development for Suzuki Music Victoria and Teacher Trainer for Flute and Piano
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
Got your wonderful book the other day and read it that night and the next day. It was very helpful to get a sense of what Suzuki was like, what motivated him, where he came from. For me, the book was almost like looking through a photo album—or better, a video album—since the impressions that your memories left were dynamic. So thank you.
– Michael Campbell, (USA), professional pianist; formerly Professor of Piano, Western Illinois University
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
Now I am reading the book Memories of Dr Shinichi Suzuki written by Lois sensei [teacher], for the third time. Reading this book makes me in not only reminiscent but also inspiring. It renews the thinking of Suzuki Method. I am so grateful to Lois sensei for writing this book.
– Shozo Matsumoto, leading Japanese teacher of the Suzuki Method
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
This book is enhanced by quotations from Dr Suzuki on almost every page. You can feel that the author was actually there when he spoke. Dr Suzuki always was an amazing source of energy. Lois Shepheard was in Japan for a considerable time, long enough to witness the outcome of this unusual life force.
The book serves as a charming reminder to all those who have worked with Dr Suzuki in the past. This man gave careers to tens of thousands of players and teachers in the world, and joy to millions of children and their parents. But perhaps more importantly, for those who never knew him, these simple reminiscences of Dr Suzuki help bring to life again this amazing violin teacher.
– Helen Brunner, London. Leading British Suzuki Method teacher
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
The book introduces the reader, through a series of recollections, to an unassuming Japanese man who challenged long held beliefs in the Western World – that only those with inherited talent could be successfully taught to play a musical instrument. It provides a fascinating insight into the character of an ordinary person who, in his lifetime, achieved something miraculous. I do not know of any other book about Dr Suzuki, which explicitly recalls scenes from his life, explains the influence on him of Japanese history and goes deeply into his Zen environment.
This important work needed to be written right now, while it is still possible to remember the man, Shinichi Suzuki. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have met him are reminded of his extraordinary warmth and care, and his sense of humour. It is essential that Dr Suzuki, the man, does not gradually disappear from our consciousness. We must not let the word “Suzuki” slip into the realm of mythology..
– Vilma Dyball (Melbourne) Teacher of French. Former Suzuki parent – now the mother of three professional musicians
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
Your book is wonderful Lois. I laughed and cried, so thank you so much for recommending it.
As I read the book I was struck by how often Dr Suzuki’s wisdom and observations related not only to the violin but to my own experience playing the double bass. In particular it struck a chord when he said that you don’t just play the violin with your fingers. You play with your whole body. That was what I used to tell my students. For a bass player your whole body vibrates with the instrument, even your toes. It is the same with all instruments.
I felt that Dr Suzuki was a deeply spiritual man who lived on a higher level of consciousness than most of us and reading your book gave me many insights into Zen practice and Dr Suzuki’s environment.
– Jan Gracie Mulcahy (Lismore, NSW), is a writer and former double bass player with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Now a teacher of Creative Writing and Music Appreciation
IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd) –
This is a deeply respectful, warm and beautifully written portrait of Dr. Suzuki, broad enough in its outlook to be of universal interest to teachers, Suzuki parents, and all those who have been intrigued, touched or changed forever by contact with the extraordinary and timeless philosophy which bears his name. In this book, Lois Shepheard offers a personal view of Dr. Suzuki’s teaching and philosophy and provides an often humorous look at what it was like to live and study in Matsumoto with Dr. Suzuki over the years.
Highly recommended, particularly for Suzuki parents and the “new generation” of Suzuki trainees.
– Ruth Miura (Spain), is a Graduate of the Talent Education Institute, Matsumoto, Japan