A Very Special Playlist for Your Baby
You do NOT want to miss Dr. Suzuki’s special playlist for your baby! I’ve known about this list of music for years. But, it has just been collecting dust in my Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE) files.
I recently came across this list while looking for something else. I decided that now was the time to find out about this music.
Sony actually made a two-disc recording of those listening pieces. Dr. Shinichi Suzuki had chosen this playlist specifically for babies.
It was released in Japan back in the 1980’s. Japanese Suzuki Teachers encouraged families with babies to listen to them everyday.
After an initial search online, I found no references to the recording. But, I really wanted to listen to these pieces and share them with you! So my next step was to find each one on YouTube!
Beautiful and Engaging Music
There is soooo much music out there to be had. But, there is so little time to sift through it to find what you might like. Dr. Suzuki did the time-consuming work and left us with a list of beautiful music.
Now, you may not be big into classical music. But I urge you to trust me and listen to the pieces of music on this playlist.
In a previous post, we discussed why classical music is a good way to start your baby’s playlist. In that post, scroll down to Choosing Music for Your Baby’s Playlist.
Some of this music has charmed audiences for more than two centuries. They are just that beautiful and engaging.
In all, there are 28 selections. Dr. Suzuki chose music by composers from different time periods. He included pieces written for various instruments, including voice.
I have searched out the first seven pieces for you. Fortunately, there are video and audio recordings available for them on YouTube. Consequently, you can use them to create your own listening list for you and your baby.
I chose to write very little about each piece of music. They really do speak for themselves. Hence, you will have time to listen to some of them now as you read.
The First Seven Selections
The first piece is Waltz from Serenade in C Major, Opus 48 by Tchaikovsky (1840-1893). It is written for string orchestra and the harmonies are tight and lush. Actually, you can almost see the ladies and gentlemen dancing in the ballroom as you listen. Also, this would be a wonderful opportunity to dance around the room with your baby!
Second on the list is Chason de L’adieu (Song of Goodbye) by Chopin (1810-1849). Chopin was a pianist. Sadly, he did not live very long. However, he is responsible for a fair amount of the piano music we have today.
The third piece is Minuet in C Major by Haydn (1732-1809). Haydn wrote practically all forms of music. Over 100 symphonies, many works for chamber ensembles, solo concertos, works for piano-you name it, he wrote it! This Minuet is a simple, clean, beautiful piece for piano. It is “pure Haydn”.
The fourth piece is Minuet from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Bizet (1838-1875). It’s a lovely piece featuring flute and harp accompanied by orchestra. James Galway is a simply spectacular flautist. Therefore, I chose the video of him playing. I’m not kidding! Relax and enjoy!
Piece No. 5 is Weigenlied (pronounced /v-eye-gen-leet/) which means Cradle Song. Originally, it was thought that Mozart (1756-1791) composed it.
Later, researchers found the Bernhard Flies (pronounced /flees/) may have written it. Then, further research concluded that Johann Fleischmann. probably wrote it.
I listened to several renditions of this Weigenlied. I chose the audio of the French soprano, Pierrette Alarie, recorded in 1956. Firstly, she had a clear soprano voice that makes you picture her singing sweetly to a little baby.
Also, the quality of the recording was quite good for the time. It’s possible it has been remastered in this YouTube audio. Regardless, it is beautiful.
Finally, WHOEVER wrote it had a beautiful melody running around in their head! It will stay in your head, too. It might turn out to be your baby’s favorite. See what you think…
The sixth piece is Jota (hoe’-tuh) by Manuel de Falla (1876-1946). “Jota” means folk song in Spanish. I listened to several vocal recordings with orchestral accompaniment. But, I chose the cello, guitar, and percussion arrangement. It was simple and seemed more like what you might hear someone humming or whistling while out for their daily walk.
Last, but not least, is Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by J.S. Bach (1685-1750). It is a pretty familiar piece of music. You name the instrument and/or voice combinations and it has an arrangement.
This recording is the one I liked best. And there are some good ones out there! So, listen to some of the different arrangements and choose your own favorite.
+ 1 Bonus Selection
To be true to SECE, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart needs to be included on your playlist. After all, it is the very first piece of music you hear when coming into Baby Class each week.
In fact, it really should be the first piece that you and your baby listen to repeatedly. It is the first selection in the second set of seven pieces on the Sony recording of Dr. Suzuki’s listening for babies.
So, we will revisit this piece in the next post about Dr. Suzuki’s recording of listening for babies. You might be interested in listening to the Weigenlied sung in English. Check out Lullabies, Action Songs, and Rhymes.
SECE Teacher Trainer, Sharon Jones sings the Mozart Lullaby in English. These are the rhymes, songs, and lullabies that part of the SECE Baby Class listening.
Make Your Own Special Playlist for Your Baby
Your first step is to take these pieces and put them together in a playlist. Then, you and your baby can enjoy listening to them together.
Also, you can begin your “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” in depth. Firstly, choose just one of these pieces. Next, listen to only that piece at least four times a day for 6 months.
I know six months seems a very long time to listen to the same piece of music. However, we all have music that we really like and listen to it over and over.
Also, if you are concerned that your baby may get bored with the piece you have chosen, don’t be! Babies thrive on repetition. That is how they learn.
Actually, that is how we all learn. Unfortunately, our adult lives get in the way of enjoying the moment in the music. Babies don’t have worries and concerns the way adults do.
After six months, add another one of these pieces to your listening time every two months. Continue this process and your home will be filled with beautiful music all the time.
This is the essence of Dr. Suzuki’s teaching philosophy, the “Mother-Tongue Method”. Children listen to their parents speak and they learn to speak the same language.
Suzuki believed that music and playing an instrument could be learned in the same way. Listening and repetition create ability.
You can then continue the process with every new piece you choose. You will have created a life time of learning and appreciation.
I believe Dr. Suzuki chose these pieces to help babies to learn to listen carefully and enjoy them. He was a keen observer of babies and children.
Dr. Suzuki also was a keen observer of parents as well. He probably had in mind that you will learn as much from these recordings as your baby will.
Listening is an important part of the Suzuki Method of musical instruction. The student listens to the pieces he/she is to learn long before they set eyes on the music. The music becomes a part of them.
Then, they are much freer to learn the technical parts of playing an instrument. They also are more free to develop their own musical concept of the piece.
“If a particular piece of music is played every day for the baby, musical sense gradually grows. For example, if a five minute masterpiece by Mozart is play for the baby from birth, the baby learns it by five months or so”
Shinichi Suzuki
The Power of a Recording
Here is a quick story about how important listening to music can be. Several years ago, I had a recital planned. The major part of the recital was to be the Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano by Cesar Franck.
The recital was scheduled for the end of January. The day after Christmas, my phone rings. It’s my accompanist.
He informed me that he had hurt his arm and couldn’t play the Franck. I totally got it, because the piano part is extremely difficult.
He then suggests that, perhaps, could we play the Sonata No. 5 by Beethoven? Well… perhaps we could, if I knew it!!
So, I took up the challenge, found a recording, wore it out, and learned that Beethoven sonata in 32 days! Knowing how to listen carefully to the recording enabled me to learn that piece of music quickly.
Now you and your baby have no deadlines to meet when it comes to listening. However, I hope my little story helped you understand how valuable listening frequently to a single piece will help your baby to grow and learn.
Dr. Suzuki’s very special playlist for your baby is part of his legacy. He knew that music could be a gift that would help your baby and you grow into people with “beautiful hearts and fine ability”.
Suzuki Early Childhood Education (SECE)
The Suzuki Method is used all over the world to teach a variety of instruments. But, Dr. Suzuki also asked Suzuki teachers everywhere to “not forget the babies”.
Suzuki ECE began with Dr. Suzuki’s playlist and it also has spread worldwide. But, the children of the world need it to spread even more.
SECE Baby Class is an opportunity for you and your baby to learn and grow together through music. Come join us!
On the “Beautiful Heart Musical Journey” with you,
Susan
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In the Comments, share which piece you have chosen to play for your baby first. I am curious to know your choices!
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