Month: May 2016

009 TSP 100 Things to do in the Summer

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki Podcast lists 100 things that a parent and student could do over the summer. The purpose of this episode was to come up with a very large number to be sure to include at least something for everyone’s personal interests. Have a listen and see if you find something or several things that would keep you and your child interested in music and practice throughout the summer.

Here are some links to some items mentioned on the show. Although these are affiliate links, they do not cost you more but will benefit me and my podcast production costs. If you are in the market for any of these items, consider benefiting the podcast by using the links provided:

Suzuki Association of the Americas: provides a list of summer Suzuki institutes

Here are some links to websites I mentioned. I receive no benefit from referring you here. I have used or participated in fundraising events through these organizations. Some of these sites are fundraising websites, and some restrictions apply.

If you’re interested in the Potter puppet pals scariest ticking noise video,  click here:  https://youtu.be/Tx1XIm6q4r4

If you are interested in a printable version of the list of “100 Things to do in the Summer,” send me an email request at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

If you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

 

Reflections – “Restlessness”

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This episode is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of these reflections is to give parents and teachers a chance to spend a few minutes thinking about how great the impact might be on the world and our children with merely a slight moment of reflection about a behavior, thought, or attitude.

This episode discusses “restlessness” and whether it is something that a child can grow out of. Have a listen and see whether you can find some helpful ideas to help your child grow the ability to concentrate and focus.

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

008 TSP Preacher Teacher

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This episode of the Teach Suzuki Podcast looks at reasons why teachers and parents burn out with lessons and home practices, and makes some suggestions about what might turn this situation around. Have a listen and see if you can identify with some of the examples and can benefit from some of the suggestions.

If you would like to comment or leave me a voice mail, you can do so at (512) 537-6356. If you would like to send me an email, you may do so at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

You may find more information and useful articles on my blog at: http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

Reflections: Give My Regards to Your Teacher

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of these reflections is to give parents and teachers a chance to spend a few minutes thinking about how great the impact might be on the world and our children with merely a slight moment of reflection about a behavior, thought, or attitude.

This episode talks about Dr. Suzuki’s habit of asking his students “Who is Your Teacher?” Have a listen and discover how Dr. Suzuki responded to his students’ answers. Who are your child’s teachers?

For more information about how to add more classical music listening into your daily life, check out some of the resources suggested here:

Music Listening Resource List

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

007 TSP What Kind of Parent Are You?

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This podcast episode looks at the issue of parenting and how a parent’s style of teaching or working with a child will have a positive or negative effect on the child and may have lasting consequences that reach through to touch on later generations. The discussion then turns to the steps to follow when teaching a child how to solve problems and learn how to self-manage.

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

Reflections — Scolding Children

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This episode is part of the shorter, minutes long “Reflections” podcast series, in which we look at small steps that parents and teachers can take that have a big impact on a child’s life.

In this episode, I discuss Dr. Suzuki’s tough quote that a problem child comes from a problem parent, and I offer his advice about the effectiveness of scolding children. Have a listen and see if you find something of value that you might include in your parenting or teaching life.

If you have a comment or suggestion, you can leave me a voice message on my voicemail line at 512-537-6356 or send me an email at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

For more information and articles, visit

http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

—– Paula —–

© 2016 by Paula E. Bird

 

006 TSP How to Take Notes at the Music Lesson

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This episode explores in great depth the issue of a parent’s taking notes during a child’s music lesson, including some sample lessons and the kinds of notes that parents can record. I explain why taking notes is beneficial, and I explore reasons why parents might not find this task easy. The main purpose of this episode is to demystify the difficulty of taking notes. I explain what and how and give plenty of examples.

For a copy of the observation checklist that I offered, send me an email at http://paulabirdviolin@gmail.com. I will be happy to send you a copy of this form.

If you are interested in the YouTube video I mentioned about whether handwriting or electronic notetaking is better, visit:  http://www.inbound.com/blog/clive-thompson-bold-talks.

If you are as interested in trying out the pencils that are shown in the video, I highly recommend them! They are the Blackwing, and they are worth every penny!

http://amzn.to/1O0K4o0

I bought a box, and I assure you, I use one pencil at a time, and the pencil is never out of my sight! I found that my students enjoy using my special “world’s greatest pencil” and ask to use it frequently to TAKE THEIR OWN NOTES! If I had realized that a special pencil would motivate students to take more notes, I would have purchased this brand of pencil ages ago! This is an affiliate link, which means that I get a benefit when you purchase through this link. You are never under an obligation to buy anything that I suggest, but if you are already in the market to do so, the cost to you will be the same, and I will get a benefit to support the podcast recordings and the blog if you purchase through my link (and you have my greatest thanks!). And of course, who can buy a special “world’s greatest pencil” without the special eraser? Here’s the link:

http://amzn.to/1O0K4o0

If you would like to leave me a message on my voicemail, you can do so at: (512) 537-6356.

Until next time,

Happy Practicing!

Paula

Reflections – Physical Touch

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This is part of the “Reflections” series of podcast episodes, which are short, minutes long reflections about a quote or other thought from Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy or writing. The purpose of these reflections is to give parents and teachers a chance to spend a few minutes thinking about how great the impact might be on the world and our children with merely a slight moment of reflection about a behavior, thought, or attitude.

This episode reminds us about the importance of physical touch in order to make connections with each other and our children in order to thrive in our world. Have a listen and see if you have anything to add to the list of ways that we can connect with each other through physical touch.

005 TSP: How Parents Can Help at Lessons

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Welcome to Episode 5 of the Teach Suzuki Podcast! In this episode, I list 8 ways that parents can help their child at music lessons. I also talk about some of the ways that parents send silent messages to their child, which the parents might not be aware of, and I also talk about the importance of enthusiasm to help motivate the child to want to practice and learn how to play a musical instrument.

Have a listen and see if I have touched on some of your favorite ways that a parent can help their child at lessons. If you think there are some other things that I could include on my list, leave me a voicemail message on my voicemail line at: (512) 537-6356. Or you can email me at paulabirdviolin@gmail.com.

You can also follow me on Facebook on my Teach Suzuki page. My Twitter handle is @PaulaEBird and my instagram handle is paula_bird_violin.

For more blog articles about the Suzuki Method that will help teachers, parents, and students, visit http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com.