Music can be confusing. Which note goes where? How do I read this music? Which key is E on the piano? How do I play a G chord on the ukulele? Although there are ways of learning all of the different methods, this may not work for little ones or for those with special abilities. SO, in order to bring a little method to the madness, Suzuki created “The Suzuki Color Spectrum”. This system assigns a specific color to each note: C is Red, D is Orange, E is Yellow, F is Green, G is Light Blue, A is Dark Blue, and B is Purple. With this color code, new music learners have the ability to learn music at the same speed as others, just in a different way.

Learning how to form a G chord? Tape small pieces of light blue tape under the 1st string on the 3rd fret, 2nd string on the 2nd fret, and the 6th string on the 3rd fret. Instruct the student to place their fingers on the pieces of tape and there you have it: An easy, independent G chord! With this practice you can ask the student to play a light blue chord and after some time, you can connect the color red with the note G, and then even further, eventually you can remove the tape altogether.

Another great use for the color spectrum system is reading sheet music. To learn the notes and their places in the lines and spaces, color code a C-Major scale for the student to use as a referral. Color coding the keys on a piano and coloring in the sheet music with the corresponding colors will allow almost any student to play the notes on the music. The next step to this process is teaching the length of notes and rhythms in the music.

This system can allow even the most novice musician to play with ease! This is not just a technique to use with children with special abilities, but even for neurotypical, beginner students as well! There are many, many more activities and adaptations that can be done using the Suzuki color spectrum! Subscribe to our email family to keep an eye out in the near future for our mini-book releases, short instructional E-Books that will provide activities and expand and delve deeper into some of our blogs! If you subscribe now, you will receive a free list of 25 Go-To Action Songs to Get Your Kids Up and Moving!

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