The Suzuki Guitar Method is a special way to teach music to children ages four and up. A student’s teacher and parents work together to create an environment in which children can learn music easily and naturally.

Through our Suzuki program’s weekly private lessons and weekly group classes, students learn excellent guitar technique, beginning music theory, and how to enjoy creating music together! Suzuki guitar lessons also develop a child’s confidence, their self-discipline, and their memory.

The Suzuki Guitar Method is very successful with young kids for a variety of reasons. Lessons are broken down into such small steps that kids can’t fail, while at the same time they are kept fun and engaging. Parent involvement plays a large role. Along with their child, parents will work with their trained and experienced Suzuki guitar teacher to learn the basics of guitar and become the home educator. Don’t worry, as parents you don’t need to be musical, we’ll teach you everything you need to know.

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The Suzuki Method is a teaching philosophy and curriculum by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki developed as a response to WWII with a hope that music could bring all people together. The Suzuki method uses music to develop many personality traits, including: a love of learning, development of empathy and understanding the value of hard work and grit.

Dr. Suzuki believed if all kids can speak in their native tongue, all kids should be able to play music, thus musical skills are developed using the mother tongue method. By listening and immersing in the music, the child learns by ear.

The Suzuki Method is built on and fosters a strong bond between parents, teacher and student. Parents become the students’ practice partner and require knowledge of the instrument to be able to help the child.

Even young students can begin with the Suzuki method, as long as there is dexterity, and capacity to read letters A-G.

From the Suzuki Association of the Americas website:

Early Beginning The early years are crucial for developing mental processes and muscle coordination. Listening to music should begin at birth; formal training may begin at age three or four, but it is never too late to begin.

Listening Children learn words after hearing them spoken hundreds of times by others. Listening to music every day is important, especially listening to pieces in the Suzuki repertoire so the child knows them immediately.

Repetition Constant repetition is essential in learning to play an instrument. Children do not learn a word or piece of music and then discard it. They add it to their vocabulary or repertoire, gradually using it in new and more sophisticated ways.

Encouragement As with language, the child’s effort to learn an instrument should be met with sincere praise and encouragement. Each child learns at their own rate, building on small steps so that each one can be mastered. Children are also encouraged to support each other’s efforts, fostering an attitude of generosity and cooperation.

Learning with Other Children In addition to private lessons, children participate in regular group lessons and performance at which they learn from and are motivated by each other.

Graded Repertoire Children do not practice exercises to learn to talk, but use language for its natural purpose of communication and self-expression. Pieces in the Suzuki repertoire are designed to present technical problems to be learned in the context of the music rather than through dry technical exercises.

Delayed Note Reading Children learn to read after their ability to talk has been well established. In the same way, children should develop basic technical competence on their instruments before being taught to read music.

Parents can join the Suzuki Association of the Americas for additional resources. Recommended reading: Nurture by Love by Dr. Suzuki. 

Suzuki Guitar at NYC Guitar School FAQs

Who are NYC Guitar School’s Suzuki teachers and when and where are lessons available?

Our teachers are highly trained and experienced both as classical guitar performers and as teachers. Suzuki Teachers at NYC Guitar School include: Anna Leone, Daniel Conant,David Gonzalez, Katty Mayorga, Lance Peibenga and Rob Adler. Our teachers teach in our Midtown, Upper East Side and Brooklyn locations and in-home in Manhattan. There is high demand for Suzuki guitar lessons, open times and locations are typically limited. For up to date availability check the consultation sign-up form or email us at hello@nycguitarschool.com. 

How much is tuition and how does billing work? 

NYC Guitar School is a premium lesson provider with outstanding experienced teachers. Suzuki lessons in our studios are 30 minutes long, and are billed at $90 each (or $80 each with a year-long commitment). Suzuki lessons in your Manhattan home are billed at $110 each ($100 with a year-long commitment).

Tuition includes access to weekly private lessons, weekly group classes, and the opportunity to perform in seasonal recitals. Unlike many competitors, we do not charge additional registration or event fees.

NYC Guitar School has a strict 48 hour cancellation policy. Any lessons canceled with fewer than 48 hours notice will be charged and the teacher will be paid for the reserved time, regardless of the reason for cancellation.

What if my family goes on vacation? 

Our program allows students to freeze or drop their membership if needed or to early-cancel lessons with no charge, providing peace of mind and the ability to adapt to life’s unpredictable moments. This level of flexibility is rare in many Suzuki programs, which often operate on fixed semester or full-year schedules with less room for adjustments. Be sure to contact our office if you are going away to freeze your membership payments (but if you forget, fear not–unused lessons can be saved for up to a year.

What kind of a guitar should my child use?

To ensure your child’s success, it’s essential that they have the proper type and size of guitar. The guitar should be a “classical guitar”, this means it uses nylon strings (not metal). The total length of your child’s guitar should be the same as the distance from the floor to their belly button. As a rough guideline, consider these suggestions from Suzukidad.com:

Child, from floor to belly button: Guitar scale length: 24”:40cm, 26”:45cm, 28.5”:50cm, 33.5”:55cm, 35.5”:60cm, 36.75”:63cm, more than 37”:full size guitar.

Your teacher can help you with specific suggestions for guitars…and for smaller/younger children they may recommend a Ukulele.

What Else Do I Need?

Once you have your guitar there are only three other things you’ll need:

• Guitar Footstool – used to slightly raise the guitar on the student’s left leg to allow the left hand easy access to the guitar’s neck. Anywhere they sell classical guitars, they’ll sell inexpensive footstools–like this one from Sweetwater. They are adjustable, so you don’t need to worry about the size.
• The Right Chair – When the child is sitting on their chair, both feet should be flat on the ground, and the top of their leg/thigh should be parallel to the floor (not sloping down or upwards). The Flash Furniture Kids Plastic Folding Chair available at Amazon and other sellers for around $30 is typically a good fit for kids 4-5. For students 2-3, a short step stool usually works well.
• Suzuki Guitar Book 1 and music – Available on Amazon–and the music playlists are available on Spotify and other streaming services.

What if I can’t always be at lessons?

Parent involvement is essential to a child’s success with the Suzuki Method; however, parents tend to be busy people! We have many families that trade off between parents, nanny, or grandparents. As long as an adult that’s in your child’s life is there to participate in the lessons we can make good progress. New York City Guitar School is proud to offer the most flexible option for Suzuki Guitar in the city, and we are happy to work with you and your child’s schedule.

Get started by filling out this form or email us at hello@nycguitarschool.com.