Have you ever heard of Shinichi Suzuki?
He wasn’t only an acclaimed violinist but also a thoughtful educator. His insights about music are transformative.
Here are 30 quotes that offer a peek into Suzuki’s mind, which might even change how you appreciate music.
But first, my favorite quote from Mr Suzuki;
“Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.”
Shinichi Suzuki
Suzuki Quotes on Growth and Learning
- “Every child grows; everything depends on the teacher.” Suzuki placed utmost importance on the role of teachers in the growth of children.
- “Talent is no accident of birth.” Suzuki dismissed the notion that talent is purely innate. It’s something one develops.
- “Ability equals knowledge plus 10,000 times.” This emphasizes Suzuki’s belief in the power of constant practice.
- “Man is a child of his environment.” The environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s potential, according to Suzuki.
- “Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.” Once again, Suzuki highlights the importance of practice in acquiring skills.
- “The fate of a child is in the hands of his parents.” Parents, Suzuki believed, hold a key role in a child’s development.
Suzuki Quotes on Character Development
- “Character first, ability second.” The person you are matters more than your abilities to Suzuki.
- “Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens.” Suzuki saw music education as a path to form well-rounded individuals.
- “When love is deep, much can be accomplished.” Love and passion, Suzuki believed, could drive an individual to greatness.
- “Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.” Suzuki saw music as a tool for personal development.
- “If a musician wants to become a fine artist, he must first become a fine person.” Character development was always integral to Suzuki’s teachings.
Suzuki on the Art of Music
- “The real essence of art turned out to be not something high up and far off – it was right inside my ordinary daily self.” Art was a part of everyday life to Suzuki.
- “Art exists not in the materials used to create it, but in the soul of the artist.” To Suzuki, creativity is a manifestation of the artist’s inner self.
- “Tone has the living soul.” Tone, Suzuki believed, was the very life of music.
- “Beautiful tone, beautiful heart.” A beautiful tone reflects a beautiful heart, according to Suzuki.
Suzuki’s Philosophy on Child Development
Suzuki’s ideology on child development was well-rounded, emphasizing not just teaching skills but fostering an environment that nurtures the child as a whole. Here are some of his quotes reflecting this ideology.
- “Every child grows; everything depends on the teacher.” Suzuki emphasized the role of the educator in shaping a child’s growth.
- “Talent is no accident of birth.” He believed that talent isn’t inborn, but developed over time.
Suzuki’s Approach to Music Education
Suzuki’s approach to music education was grounded in the belief that musical ability isn’t an inborn talent but is developed through environment and training. These quotes reflect this approach.
“Teaching music is not my main purpose” a true testament to the man that he was.
“Character first, ability second.” Suzuki held that personal character is more important than ability.
“Ability equals knowledge plus 10,000 times.” This quote emphasizes Suzuki’s belief in the power of practice and repetition.
Suzuki’s Belief in Human Potential
Suzuki’s belief in human potential is clear in these powerful quotes.
- “Man is a child of his environment.” He believed that a nurturing environment could unlock a child’s potential.
- “Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill.” Here, Suzuki emphasizes the power of practice in skill acquisition.
Suzuki’s Thoughts on Learning
Suzuki had some profound thoughts on learning, emphasizing the importance of repetition and a nurturing environment.
- “Ability equals knowledge plus 10,000 times”. He believed that skill and proficiency develop through numerous repetitions.
- “Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens.” For Suzuki, the goal was not just about teaching music but also about developing well-rounded individuals.
Suzuki’s Views on Creativity and Innovation
Suzuki’s views on creativity and innovation offer an interesting perspective.
- “Art exists not in the materials used to create it, but in the soul of the artist.” This emphasizes that creativity is not bound by the physical world, but is a manifestation of one’s inner self.
- “The fate of a child is in the hands of his parents.” Suzuki believed parents play a crucial role in fostering creativity in their children.
The remaining 20 quotes dive deeper into his beliefs about music, teaching, and the development of character.
- “Tone has the living soul.”
- “Beautiful tone, beautiful heart.”
- “The law of nature is that ability (technique) never makes anything without concentrated effort.”
- “It is necessary to be concerned about the importance of educating a really beautiful human spirit.”
- “What does not exist in the environment will not develop in the child.”
- “When we love children, we have to have a philosophy.”
- “It is not ability, but effort that counts.”
- “Only practice with much repetition will solve the difficulties.”
- “We must educate from inside.”
- “We are what we repeatedly do.”
- “If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance.”
- “To make a resolution and act accordingly is to live with hope.”
- “To make a child love his instrument, he must love his teacher.”
- “All children can be well-educated through the wonderful and natural means of music.”
- “Children learn to smile from their parents.”
- “I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance.”
- “Where love is deep, much can be accomplished.”
- “The real essence of art turned out to be not something high up and far off – it was right inside my ordinary daily self.”
- “When love is deep, much can be accomplished.”
- “Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.”
Suzuki’s wisdom was not just about music, but also about personal growth and character development.
These quotes might help you see music in a different light and appreciate its transformative power. So, as you embark on your musical journey, let these words inspire you along the way!
Concluding Notes 🎻
Suzuki’s words ring true now more than ever.
He was all about nurturing kids’ potential, believing in their abilities to learn music or any other skill. His philosophy isn’t just about music education, but developing the whole person. He was convinced that creativity and innovation are innate and it’s our job to unlock them. His wisdom is timeless and applicable well beyond the realm of music.
