Case Study Summary

Research in 2002 by Barbara K. Byczko at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education at the University of Toronto showed that this "separated parts" format of the Suzuki Piano repertoire did indeed help students learn the repertoire more quickly and efficiently. There was an improvement in awareness of the separated parts, which in turn helped students learn the pieces of Volumes 1 and 2 hands together more easily.

As well, there was an added benefit for those parents whose musical knowledge was limited. Over the course of annual lessons, many non-musician parents began to realize that the level of the repertoire was surpassing their level of musical knowledge and their ability to perform the pieces on the piano. This "separated parts" CD enabled these parents to focus on parts of the repertoire during the week without having to wait until the next piano lesson to clear up questions, insecurity or even small disputes about how a part is played with their children. Parents and children could listen to the "separated parts" CD and "fix" the area in question on their own without having to wait. As a result, with the use of this "separated parts" CD, the progress of these students equaled and at times even surpassed those students who had parents with musical knowledge! A great achievement overall!!

Statistics

• 83 % of parents found the CD helpful for left hand learning
• 87 % of parents found the CD useful as a learning tool
• 62.5 % of students showed improvement in learning the repertoire when using the "separated parts" CD
• 61 % of students improved their rate of progress in learning the repertoire
• 49 % of home listening combined background and specific listening

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