Suzuki argued that there was a learning triangle involving the child, the parents and the teacher. This triangle needed to be strongly aligned to the common goal of strong self esteem in the child, a sense of joy through music and a belief in the child’s potential. This is the philosophical foundation of all Suzuki music programmes.

The environment is essential for this to work. Parents need to model order and self discipline for their children. Order allows for regular and thoughtful practice to occur. This is not a lonely chore but a family engagement – music needs to be in the full life of the family if it is to be really internalised by the child. The overlap of child, parent and teacher occurs in the lesson – this is where lives briefly touch and musical possibilities are explored. Teacher’s work hard to prepare and engaging and focused environment for their students, students in turn come prepared to learn and parents are there to support the child and to be his or her ears, eyes and memories. This is done best when the parent learns the instrument also.

Note that in both diagrams Philosophy is the foundation for learning – it supplies the big picture, the context and the purpose for musical learning.