The flute pedagogy of Toshio Takahashi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the pedagogical philosophy and teaching technique of Toshio Takahashi, well known teacher of flute in the Suzuki tradition. Also considered were the possible musical, pedagogical, and philosophical influences exerted on Takahashi by his own primary teachers, Shinichi Suzuki and Marcel Moyse. The primary data source for the study was notes taken by the researcher as Takahashi’s student and as an observer of Takahashi teaching others at various levels of expertise. As a means of confirming and extending the information contained in these notes, a researcher-developed questionaire was sent by e-mail to Takahashi himself and to others who studied with him. Responses were returned via e-mail. Where appropriate, clarification of the questionnaire results was obtained by phone interview and/or web-based audio/video conferencing.