More than Music: How Suzuki Cello Built Helped Our Homeschool

When people ask what makes our homeschool work, they usually expect me to name a curriculum or time management trick. But honestly? The most consistent, grounding, and transformative piece of our homeschool has been music—specifically, Suzuki cello.

All three of my children started cello at age four. Ten years later, we’ve lived through book recitals, squeaky bow holds, youth orchestra auditions, and so much more. We’ve cried in frustration, laughed through group class chaos, and clapped for other kids like they were our own.

This journey has given our family more than music. It’s given us a framework for learning, a community, and a set of life skills that no workbook could ever teach.

What Is the Suzuki Method?

The Suzuki method, developed by Shinichi Suzuki, is built on the idea that music is like language: children learn it naturally through immersion, repetition, listening, and encouragement. It emphasizes starting young, creating a supportive environment, and heavily involving the parent as a partner in the process.

The result? A method that’s gentle, respectful, and deeply human. In Suzuki, how your child grows matters just as much as what they play.

Why We Stuck With It (Even When It Was Hard)

We’ve had the same incredible teacher for ten years. She’s known my oldest most of their life, and was one of the first people I told I was pregnant with my middle kiddo. I have pictures of her holding my younger as a newborn. She’s seen them through every squeak, slump, and celebration. She’s truly part of our family and one of my favorite people in the world—not just because she teaches cello, but because she truly sees and respects each of my children’s pace and personality.

And the Suzuki group we’re in? It’s become our community. We attend group classes every fall and spring. My kids have had life long friendships develop. I’ve watched entire childhoods unfold in that building. Some kids zoom ahead. Others take their time. But no one is judged or rushed. Every win is celebrated. Every struggle is met with kindness.

Life Skills My Kids Have Gained Through Music

Learning cello has taught my children far more than music. It’s taught them how to be.

Here’s just a short list of the life skills they’ve gained:

• Patience – Progress is slow and steady. There are no shortcuts.
• Focus – Practicing most days builds attention, even when it’s hard.
• Persistence – You will hit a wall. Then you’ll try again tomorrow.
• Listening – To music, to teachers, to themselves.
• Time management – Carving out daily practice time is a habit that shapes everything else.
• Self-reflection – They learn to notice what’s working and what isn’t.
• Discipline – Showing up even when they don’t feel like it.
• Confidence – Performing in recitals teaches them to stand tall.
• Empathy – They cheer their classmates on and learn from one another.
• Resilience – Mistakes aren’t failures. They’re part of growth.
• Collaboration – In group class, duets and orchestras, they learn to work as a team.

And maybe most importantly: joy. They’ve learned the happiness that music can bring to the soul.

One Child’s Ending, Another’s Beginning

My oldest recently decided to stop cello after ten years of playing. Over the years they had made so much progress, earned a spot in youth orchestras, and developed a deep love for music. But now, they’re pursuing their intense interest in herpetology (especially snakes) and cello needed to make room.

And that’s the beauty of it. Suzuki taught them how to learn, how to commit, and how to follow their curiosity. The cello may be quiet now, but the impact is still playing.

Meanwhile, my younger two are still playing. They’re taking things at their own pace, and it’s just as powerful. Because the pace doesn’t matter—the process does.

Music Should Be for Everyone

We are incredibly lucky to receive a scholarship that makes lessons accessible for our family. Without that support, this chapter of our homeschool might never have happened—and I know how rare that kind of opportunity is.

Suzuki cello has been life-changing for us, but I also recognize it’s not accessible to everyone. That doesn’t mean music has to be out of reach.

Here are a few low-cost or free ways to bring music into your homeschool:

• Singing daily – Folk songs, movement songs, and rounds are beautiful and brain-building.
• Homemade rhythm instruments – A coffee can drum, wooden spoons, or rice in a jar go a long way.
• Free online lessons – Websites like Musopen, MusicTheory.net, or YouTube tutorials can introduce instruments or basic theory.
• Library CDs and playlists – Listen to a composer of the week. Talk about how the music makes you feel.
• Musical storytelling – Add background music to a read-aloud or encourage kids to make sound effects.
• Music appreciation books – There are great picture books about composers, instruments, and the science of sound.

You don’t need private lessons or a conservatory to make music a meaningful part of your homeschool. You just need a little intention, a lot of listening, and a willingness to let joy lead the way.

Learning Piano at Home Is Doable

You don’t need a teacher coming to your house or a full-sized grand piano to start learning piano at home. A basic keyboard with at least 61 keys is enough to get kids familiar with the layout and begin developing muscle memory, note reading, and rhythm. With a little consistency and curiosity, piano can easily become part of your homeschool rhythm—no fancy setup required.

You can often find keyboards through local Buy/Sell/Trade groups. Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, or even neighborhood Freecycle groups often have digital pianos or keyboards for free or cheap. Many people upgrade or declutter and just want their instrument to go to a good home. A simple used keyboard is more than enough to spark a lifelong love of music.

There are also high-quality, kid-friendly resources to guide beginners step-by-step:

Hoffman Academy

• Price: FREE for the basic video lessons; Premium plan starts at $18/month
• Why it’s great: Designed for kids, excellent step-by-step progression, includes music theory and ear training.
• Link: https://www.hoffmanacademy.com

Simply Piano

• Price: Free trial; then about $120/year (often discounted)
• Why it’s great: App-based and self-paced, great visual feedback
• Device required: iOS or Android tablet/phone
• Link: https://www.joytunes.com/simply-piano

Piano Lessons on YouTube

• Price: Free!
• Top Channels:
  • Hoffman Academy (also on YouTube)
  • PianoVideoLessons – structured playlists by level
  • Andrew Furmanczyk – great theory explanations for older kids/teens

Learning Ukulele at Home Is Easy and Fun

The ukulele is one of the most accessible and affordable instruments for kids to learn at home. Its small size and just four strings make it gentle on little fingers and less overwhelming than some other string instruments. Originally brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants, the ukulele quickly became a beloved symbol of joyful, community-driven music.

You can find beginner ukuleles for around $40–$60 from brands like Kala, Mahalo, or Cordoba—often on local Buy/Sell/Trade sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp. Like keyboards, many people sell gently used instruments at great prices, and even a simple used ukulele is perfect for sparking a lifelong love of music.

For guided learning, there are excellent free and affordable resources designed especially for beginners:

The Ukulele Teacher (YouTube Channel)

• Price: Free
• Why it’s great: Fun, easy-to-follow tutorials and popular songs broken down step-by-step. Perfect for beginners and kids.
• Link: https://www.youtube.com/@TheUkuleleTeacher

Cynthia Lin Music (YouTube Channel)

• Price: Free
• Why it’s great: Gentle, slower-paced lessons with play-alongs. Great for all ages.
• Link: https://www.youtube.com/@cynthialinmusic

Yousician (App)

• Price: Free trial, then subscription required
• Why it’s great: Interactive and gamified lessons that give instant feedback. Suitable for kids and adults learning at their own pace.
• Link: https://www.yousician.com

Final Thoughts + A Gift for You

Suzuki cello hasn’t just supported our homeschool—it has shaped it. It’s helped my kids become more thoughtful, more resilient, and more themselves.

And whether your family pursues formal music study or just hums while folding laundry, I hope you’ll find your own way to let music be a part of your learning journey. It’s one of the richest gifts you can give your kids—and yourself.

If you’re looking for a simple, no-pressure way to keep music alive over the summer, I created a Summer Cello Bingo and a Roll-the-Dice Practice Game for my kids—and I’m sharing them with you as free, editable printables!

I personalized these for my kids and their cello practices, but they can easily be adapted for other instruments too. They encourage kids to play familiar pieces in creative ways, try out music-related activities that don’t require an instrument, and most importantly—have fun.

You can download both here:

PDF My kiddos version for examples

Editable Template on Canva (must log in to use)

Even if you’re not doing formal lessons this summer, these games help keep the connection to music light, playful, and meaningful.