Mattimeo begins playing violin

Once Meo turned four years old, we thought he seemed ready to begin learning an instrument. There are so many benefits to learning an instrument when you are very young, including:

1. Increases memory capacity
2. Teaches perseverance
3. Enhances coordination
4. Relieves stress
5. Improves reading and comprehension skills
6. Betters your mathematical ability
7. Increases your responsibility
8. Sharpens your concentration
9. Creates a sense of achievement
10. Promotes social skills
11. Boosts listening skills
12. Teaches discipline
13. Promotes creativity
14. Elevates your performance skills and reduces stage fright
15. Increases hand and finger strength/respiratory capacity (depending on instrument)
16. Promotes happiness
17. It's fun!

Once Meo was 4.5, Meo was asking if he could learn to play the violin. At that point he was able to follow instructions and it seemed like he was capable of undertaking the huge commitment that goes along with learning an instrument: practice, practice, PRACTICE. So with the help of a fellow homeschooling mom who has two older boys in violin lessons that started at Meo's age, we found a private teacher, Deirdre Oehrtmann. She is a professional violonist in the Portland Symphony Orchestra and she teaches Suziki style lessons through the Portland Conservatory of Music. 

More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach (now known as Suzuki method). The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach. (Suzuki Association of America)

With the Suzuki method, you don't learn how to read music right away. Instead you begin by learning by ear, just as you learn how to talk before you learn how to read.

Mattimeo has been flourishing with this method. It is incredible how far he has come in 6 short months. Already he has learned many different types of rhythms, has improved coordination and strength in his fingers, has grown more disciplined and focused, and has developed a greater appreciation of music. Both he and Link can often be heard humming classical tunes as they go about their day to day activities.

Meo has to practice almost everyday. That is quite the commitment! But so far he practices willingly. There are some days he prefers to do short lessons. There are some days he gets really into figuring out a song and will work at it for a long time. But even on days that he would rather be playing, he's willing to take a little bit of a break from play to take out his violin.

You can get a little taste of his progression in these videos and photos:

clapping out rhythms

Playing with his eyes closed to hear himself better

Practicing for his solo

Today, Mattimeo had his first recital. He had a little solo and also played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with Miss Dee-Dee's other students at the end.

All of my parents were able to make it to listen to Meo and his peers play, which was really encouraging to Meo. He was so happy to have their love and support. Robbie's mom is still recovering from a major surgery so they couldn't come, but we know they are proud of him too!

waiting to have his violin tuned

We didn't realize that the recital would go on for about three hours. This is quite a long time for a two year old. Robbie did his best to entertain Link. He listened to some of the music, and played games some of the time too. After about 2 hours though they had to go outside and wait because Link was getting too fidgety.

I sat with Meo in the front so he could get on stage easily and focus on the concert.

When it was his turn, I think I was more nervous than he was! I was so proud of him that I cried a little. He was so happy and proud. At one point he made a little mistake, frowned, and picked up right where he left off. He had such a great attitude, and was so brave and full of smiles.

And here is Twinkle. Meo can play all these variations, but his fingers aren't quite fast enough to keep up with the big kids yet so for the recital he just played harmony.

Very proud Grandmothers!

A proud Papa

At the end of the recital, Pepere gave the boys some money for ice cream, so we headed over to our favorite ice cream spot to celebrate!

We are glad Meo is doing so well with violin and that he enjoys it so much. Hopefully we can help nurture that love and enthusiasm so that he continues to grown and flourish as a musician.