- ICHIONKAI MUSIC SCHOOL >
- EnglishPage
Greetings- Our Philosophy
Greetings! It is a great privilege to introduce the Eguchi Method from Japan.
In Japan, a great number of children begin music lessons at an early age,
however many discontinue lessons within the first 3 years.
In most cases, stopping lessons would mean being entirely disconnected from piano playing and the music itself.
This shows that these early piano lessons were not allowing the students to develop musical independence during their study.
During the 1960s, I became deeply concerned about this situation, and it became my motivation to develop the Eguchi Method over the next 30 years.
The ultimate goal of the Eguchi Method is for students to learn how to become musically independent.
Students will learn how to use the music as a tool for expression, similar to spoken language,
whether the music is written out or not.
Students will also learn how to become acquainted with an unknown piece and progress through the necessary steps to learn and eventually perform the work.
The Eguchi Method allows students to become musically independent from the teacher and the printed score.
Although it is a piano method, the Eguchi Method offers comprehensive music study to children.The unique features of the Method include:
- 1. The Perfect Pitch Training System
- 2. "Picture Notation" as the introductory reading approach, developing the hand-eye coordination
- 3. "Chunk Reading" approach that compliments the cognitive skill of shape recognition
- 4. "Pattern Reading" approach, which is the recognition of melodies based on the direction and intervals of each note regardless of actual pitch
- 5. Rhythmic approach of note values represented as animal sounds
- 6. Extensive ear training beyond the Perfect Pitch Training System
- 7. Functional harmony based on pictures and characters
The Eguchi Method is based on the scientific processes of children's cognitive development.
It offers a fun, easy, and effective way for young students to gain the necessary musical skills to become musically independent.
As a result, students will be more likely to continue studies. The Eguchi Method encourages a lifelong love for the piano and for music in general.
I hope that you will enjoy exploring the Eguchi Method.
Best wishes,
Mrs. Kazuko Eguchi
