There are many methods of teaching people how to play the cello.  One of the most widely used methods is the Suzuki Method or just Suzuki.  This method of teaching was developed by a Japanese musician and teacher, Dr. Schinichi Suzuki.  At first, there was only a method for violin.  Now, there is a method for violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, and classical guitar.  

    There can be anywhere from 3 to 11 volumes in each of these methods.  Each volume contains songs that get progressively harder.  There are 10 volumes in the Suzuki Cello School.

    Rhythm, intonation (the ability to play notes in tune), and tone production are among the many skills that are stressed in the Suzuki Method.  Songs that you play are required to be memorized, so you can pay more attention to technique, instead of reading the notes.

    Listening is also another important, key element in Suzuki.  Dr. Suzuki said that classical language should be learned like  a language.  First, you should listen then you should try to play.

    Another important thing that is stressed in the Suzuki Method is review.  When you finish one song (A), and start the next song (B), then you keep practicing song A as you learn song B.

    There are two different types of Suzuki lessons that you can take.  The first kind is a private lesson.  A private lesson is when you are the only student playing, and you are alone with your teacher.  A private lesson focuses more on you.  The other kind of lesson is a group lesson.  In a group lesson, you are with other students and your teacher.  In a group lesson, you can learn to play in a group.  Also, a group lesson allows you to hear more advanced people, and learn from them. 

    There are guidelines to be a certified Suzuki teacher.  First, you must have completed the Suzuki Method as a student.  Then, you have to send a video tape to the Suzuki Association of yourself playing the Haydn Cello Concerto in C major.

    In the Suzuki Cello Method, there are ten volumes.  

    The following is a message that Dr. Suzuki included in Suzuki Violin School, Volume 1, which also applies to the Suzuki Cello Method.

CONTENTS

    Below is the Table of Contents for the Suzuki Cello Volumes 1 through 5.

Volume 1

• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Variations, S. Suzuki

• French Folk Song, Folk Song

• Lightly Row, Folk Song

• Go, Tell Aunt Rhody, Folk Song

• O, Come Little Children, Folk Song

• Allegro, S. Suzuki

• Perpetual Motion in D major, S. Suzuki

• Perpetual Motion in G major, S. Suzuki

• Long, Long Ago, T. H. Bayly

• Allegretto, S. Suzuki

• Andantino, S. Suzuki

• Rigadoon, H. Purcell

• Étude, S. Suzuki

• Minuet in C, J. S. Bach

• Minuet No. 2, J. S. Bach

Volume 2

• Long, Long Ago and Variation, T. H. Bayly

• Maytime, W. A. Mozart

• Minuet No. 1, J. S. Bach

• Minuet No. 3, J. S. Bach

• Chorus from "Judas Maccabaeus", G. F. Handel

• Hunters' Chorus, C. M. von Weber

• Musette, J. S. Bach

• March in G, J. S. Bach

• The Two Grenadiers, Schumann

• Gavotte, Gossec

• Boureé, G. F. Handel

Volume 3

• Berceuse, Schubert

• Gavotte, Lully

• Minuet, Boccherini

• Scherzo, Weber

• Minuet in G, L. van Beethoven

• Gavotte in C minor, J. S. Bach

• Minuet No. 3, J. S. Bach

• Humoresque, A. Dvôrák

• La Cinquantaine, G. Marie

• Allegro Moderato, J. S. Bach

Volume 4

• Concerto No. 4, 1st movement, F. Seitz

• Sonata in C major, J. B. Breval

• Chanson Triste, P. Tchaikovsky

• Suite No. 1 in G major, Minuets I and II, J. S. Bach

Volume 5

• Sonata No. 5 in E minor, A. Vivaldi

• Danse Rustique, W. H. Squire

• Concerto No. 4, 3rd mvt., G. Goltermann

• Arioso, J. S. Bach

• Gigue, J. S. Bach

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