The backbone of music instruction for students past the toddler age is individual lessons. Suzuki School of Music teachers train young musicians in the student-paced Suzuki style. With an early emphasis on correct posture and position, technique, tone and intonation, students develop a strong foundation on which they can build as long as they continue playing. Parents have an essential role in Suzuki music instruction. A parent or home coach attends lessons with students, especially beginners, and coaches the student during practice at home.

The established progressive Suzuki repertoire was chosen carefully to teach technique within the context of folk and classical music. All students learn the same pieces in the same order. This allows children of all levels to play together in groups. Playing with “the big kids” gives younger students motivation and a feeling of accomplishment, while allowing more advanced students to act as role models and leaders. Learning the Suzuki repertoire also gives students the freedom to play from memory with other Suzuki students wherever they happen to be.

For strings players, attending group classes weekly is a part of their individual lessons. At group lessons, students learn to hear others play and play along with them, practice for performances and play music games.