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A Piano preformance begins with the performer walking onto the stage and bowing to the audience. In bowing, the performer is greeting the audience, acknowledging their applause and offerring himself to them in the service of TheMuse^?.

A PianoBasics lesson begins with TheBow. Teacher and student greet each other mutual respect as equal human beings. Dr. Suzuki^? always pointed out that this is not the "master-student" bow seen in other disciples of oriental origins. Nonetheless, I believe that there is an implied contract that we will do our very best for each other as "researchers" together.

Instruction in PianoBasics and other forms of the SuzukiMethod^? begins with the Bow. If children have done adequate observion, they will need very little help to do it perfectly. Willingness to bow signifies a childs readiness to begin lessons.

The Bow

• Put your feet together, toes touching.
• Stand perfectly erect without any stiffness; hands at your sides, arms relaxed, shoulders back and head high.
• Make eye contact and smile.
• Bend at the waist, leaving your hands at your sides.
• Stop when your back is at about a 45 degree angle.
• Return to the starting position.
• Be careful, keep your balance, and don't go fast.

-- FloydPerryThistle - 26 Aug 2003
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