To change suzuki violin teacher or try and reason with fiery current one

[wahwah1270]

Up until xmas Dd (4.5) was loving her (suzuki) violin lesson despite our journey of 30 plus mins from Dulwich to Wandsworth per lesson. She practiced religously daily over xmas break and is really truly proud of her bow hold, tracks she knows to play etc. Since lessons resumed after xmas teacher has changed with no changeover from having the child play to cd to play to piano and took dd by surprise. If dd feels uncomfortable she will play up and not cooperate. We have possibly the fiercist teacher in South london who thinks nothing to shouting at parent or child and has unceremoniously booted one pupil mid lesson. To further add chance to dd she has now introduced (with no consultation to us) a second 6 year old to the mini group - so now the group is dd aged 4.5 and two 6 year olds (very different level of maturity to dd).teacher focuses on 6 year olds - and when I try and speak to teacher she shouts me down. DD still really loves playnig violin at home and is more than willing to practice however will not play for more than two mins or cooperate in the lessons this term. I beleive she is intimidated by the changes introduced by the teacher. Teacher barely even tolerates parents and will not have a two way discussion. I think now may be a good time to move her to a different teacher - closer to home but am struggling to find one. LSG will not directly help - only advise to call the numbers on their website which I have done but no response yet. Am truly stuck foir how to proceed.

[TheDeadlyDonkey]

I don't know much about the Suzuki method, but there are plenty of sentences in your op that alone would have me looking for a new teacher.

Your dd is 4, this should still be about playing and enjoying what she is doing. Carrying on with a teacher that she (and you) doesn't like will put her off playing sooner or later.

[ZZZenAgain]

I thought the whole point of the Suzuki method was the involvement of parents. If she is in the habit of shouting at pupils and parents, I think she is using a method which does not really suit her. Find someone else, it wouldn't have to be Suzuki at her age

[bowerbird]

That's awful, OP. For you and especially for DD. Put her off violin, and possibly music, for life. My DD has a tough and demanding violin teacher. But she's also enthusiastic, full of praise for effort, and truly inspiring, and she would never yell at a pupil or a parent, or seek to exclude a parent from their child's musical journey.

Please change teachers. I think that's what all your instincts are telling you.

[wahwah1270]

Thanks all j will look for a new teacher as I do not want to put her off

[GoatBongosAnonymous]

I suggest you phone the music colleges to ask if there is a postgraduate student who lives locally who teaches. There are many experienced and lovely students who could hel out if they live nearby!

[GinAndSlimlinePlease]

There's a real difference between a teacher who encourages your child to one who behaves as you described.

I started playing suzuki violin at a very early age and had a lovely supportive teacher. It made a real difference to my motivation.

You're making the right call in finding an alternative teacher.

IMHO, suzuki is a brilliant way to learn at the start, but once your child gets good, it's well worth swoping over. I had to unlearn and relearn vibrato and bow hold, as the suzuki ones are only good up to a point. Also, the lack of scales, arpeggios and other studies can restrict the continued learning.

But it's not all bad. I loved my suzuki lessons and did 3 hours practise a day throughout my childhood, and went into junior music college.

I hope you find a fab new teacher for your dd.

[DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved]

Defo new teacher!

[sleepingbunny]

My dd - who is now 5.5, has been learning with a lovely teacher in SE23 for the last year. She's not Suzuki, but she is very nice - PM me if you want her details

[ReallyTired]

I think you should find a new Suzuki teacher and prehaps complain to the British Suzuki insitute. There is no way a teacher should be shouting a small child.

There is a Suzuki group in Dulwich with several teachers.

www.dulwichsuzukigroup.com/Dulwich_Suzuki_Group/Welcome.html

[wahwah1270]

Thanks again.

Sleeping bunny have pmd you

[mamalovesmojitos]

New teacher and yy to contacting BSI. That's not acceptable behaviour on the teachers part IMO.