Suzuki Supplementary Books

Teachers keep coming back to I Can Read Music, Volume 1 by Joanne Martin for both violin and cello, as it directly addresses the reading skills gap many Suzuki students encounter. The Solos for Young Violinists series by Barbara Barber gives students repertoire that's accessible but musically substantial. Rick Mooney's Position Pieces for Cello and Thumb Position for Cello books target the exact technical milestones students need to master.

Helen Butterworth has published "Gems for Violin Ensembles 4" and "Gems for Violin Ensembles 5" in 2025, expanding options for group performance material.

Joanne Martin is a violist, composer, and teacher who has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and chamber ensembles across North America and Europe. Her I Can Read Music series reflects decades of experience identifying where young string players need reinforcement beyond their method books.

Carey Cheney spent 15 years performing with orchestras including the Austin Symphony and Utah Symphony before shifting her focus to teaching cello and training Suzuki teachers. Her Solos for Young Cellists draws directly from her experience working with students across all Suzuki levels.

Kerstin Wartberg and William Starr bring specialized expertise in technique building and scale work. Their titles, Step by Step 1A and Scales Plus!, provide the kind of focused, incremental practice that Suzuki pedagogy demands.