Guide for Making Music: Cracking the Composers' Code – Worksheet

Ready for a Journey of Joy? Teaching with Joy and Purpose

As a Suzuki student, Suzuki teacher, and Suzuki mom, my mission is to help families connect through music by making learning both fun and meaningful. I’ve developed a teaching process called Decodrs, designed to help students understand music deeply and engage fully in their artistic development.

The Challenge We Face as Teachers

We know that technical skills are only part of the equation—true musicianship comes from expressive, thoughtful playing. However, teaching students of different ages, abilities, and learning styles can be overwhelming. Sometimes, students may appear to understand concepts, but research shows that they often have misconceptions that impact their playing.

So, how do we ensure that students develop a solid foundation in music vocabulary and comprehension?
How do we maximize our teaching time to create the greatest impact?

The Solution: A Process That Transforms Learning

I developed a structured yet flexible approach that ‘decodes’ music through the composer’s perspective. This method works for all instruments, all teachers, and all student levels—helping students:
Analyze music in a structured way
Understand the "why" behind each piece
Feel a connection with the composer’s intent
Develop independence as expressive musicians

By guiding students with a series of carefully crafted questions, they naturally uncover the deeper meaning in their music. Even though the questions remain the same, the answers change with each piece, making every learning experience unique.

For example, understanding the differences between von Weber, Paganini, and Bayly’s music in Suzuki Book 2 allows students to appreciate why each piece was created—giving them an authentic, emotional connection to their playing.

📥 What's Included:

• PDF Worksheets
• 11 Chapters
• 10 Video Modules Links
• Homeworks
• Activities

Join the journey of joyful learning today!