Just after World War II, a young Japanese violinist named Shinichi Suzuki began to teach young children how to play the violin. His efforts were successful, and over time evolved into what is known today as the Suzuki method of violin teaching. In the Suzuki method, three people work together–the teacher, the child, and the parent. The parent first learns enough about playing the violin to help her child. Then, when the child’s own lessons begin, the parent attends lessons with the child, takes notes, and helps the child practice daily at home. This gentle teamwork helps the child to learn to love classical music and to be able to play it with other children.