Music Ed Methods: Kodaly
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In this series of music education posts, I would like to introduce you to the most popular methods for teaching music. First up: the Kodaly method!
Zoltan Kodaly
1. Creator
Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967) was a Hungarian composer, author, educator, and expert on the folk songs of his culture. This method is an approach to music education based on his philosophies. Although this method wasn’t exactly invented by Kodaly, it was developed by his colleagues and students in the mid-20th century based on his teachings.
2. Philosophies
Kodaly focused on implementing more teacher training, improving the standard of musical literacy in schools, and starting music education as early as possible with young children. He also believed that singing was the foundation of musical learning, and that everyone is capable of and has the right to musical literacy. He thought the best way to teach was by incorporating games, movement, playing instruments, and reading and writing music with singing.
3. Types of music and instruments
Songs of high artistic value, both folk and composed, are used in the Kodaly classroom, and music in the pentatonic scale is emphasized at the beginning level. Other types of songs that may be used include chants, dancing songs, lullabies, nursery rhymes, songs for circle games, and story songs. The voice is the main musical instrument, but various rhythm and tonal instruments are also used, including xylophones and recorders.
Solfege scale w/ Kodaly hand signs
4. Typical lesson
A typical lesson taught in this method follows the general sequence of listen, sing, understand, read/write, and create. The solfege scale and its accompanying hand signals are an important part of all lessons. Using this method under the guidance of a certified Kodaly teacher, students can develop listening skills, sight-singing, ear training, and much more.
5. Quote
“We should read music in the same way that an educated adult will read a book: in silence, but imagining the sound.” -Zoltan Kodaly
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Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services