My Violin Experience

Zero. This is to say, until my son picked up the violin4 1/2 years ago, I've never seen a real violin in my life. His teacher gave us a list of things to purchase. A violin, a bow and Suzuki Book 1, Nurtured By Love by Dr. Suzuki, Kun shoulder rest and a pitch pipe (G,D,E,A). My ignorance told me "Which pitch pipe should I get? E? A? D? or G?" You fool! It comes all in one! But, I managed to learn a little bit at a time, except how to play it :)
I used to play piano for five years, so I can read music unless it is really difficult. So I was able to help him with intonation and note reading for awhile. (Now, he is almost better in note reading than I am.)
I am originally from Japan, but I've never heard of Suzuki method when I was growing up. Well, I've never seen anyone who played violin in my neighborhood, so it is probably where I grew up. I think the violin was for more financially affluent people's instrument back then. So, just by reading Dr. Suzuki's book was an eye-opener. I don't remember every detail in the book, but one thing I decided after reading the book was to let my son play violin whenever he wants to. I wouldn't complain that it is too noisy or bothering. There was a time when I was sick laying in bed, and my son came to me asking, "Mommy, can I play violin now?" I told him he can play whenever he wanted that it actually made me feel better. (It really did :)) I thought it was very cute of him to ask me.
After several years, that has changed a bit. Now, he has so many other interests. Sometimes, it is hard to focus on practice. But still his love for violin remains. Although he complains about practicing, he never thought of quitting. A lot of people says that especially when a boy enters into his teenage years, he tends to quit instrument because of peer pressure. I have a few years to go to deal with that, but I need to make sure he doesn't lose the love of music.