What is the Kodaly Method?

Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967) The Kodaly Method is a way of developing musical skills and teaching musical concepts beginning in very young children. This method uses folk songs, Curwen hand signs, pictures, movable doh, rhythm symbols and syllables. It was first introduced in Hungary but is now used in many countries, either alone or in combination with other methods. Who created this method? The Kodaly Method is an approach to music education based on the philosophies of Zoltan Kodaly. Zoltan Kodaly was a Hungarian composer, author, educator and expert on Hungarian folk songs. 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. What were Zoltan Kodaly's goals and philosophies?

Elevate the level of teacher training. Improve musical literacy in schools. Everyone is capable and has the right to musical literacy. Singing is the foundation of musical learning. Music education must begin with the very young. The importance of using folk music (native folk songs and folk songs of other countries) and music of high artistic value. Incorporating games, movement, playing instruments, reading and writing music with singing. Sequential process following a child's natural learning development: Aural - oral - kinesthetic Written - pictorial - abstract Read - recognised

What types of music and instruments are used in the classroom? Songs of high artistic value, both folk and composed, are used in the Kodaly classroom. Songs that are in the pentatonic scale are emphasized at the beginning level. According to Kodaly, "Nobody wants to stop at pentatony. But, indeed, the beginnings must be made there; on the one hand, in this way the child's biogenetical development is natural and, on the other, this is what is demanded by a rational pedagogical sequence." Other songs that may be used include chants, dancing songs, lullabies, nursery rhymes, songs for circle games and story songs.

Froebel College of Education November 2011

What are the musical instruments used? The voice is the main musical instrument of this method. In his words, "Singing connected with movements and action is a much more ancient, and, at the same time, more complex phenomenon than is a simple song." Various rhythm and tonal instruments are also used, including xylophones and recorders. What is a typical lesson like and what are the key concepts learned? Although the Kodaly Method follows a set sequence, the materials used in teaching musical concepts varies depending on the age of the student. The sequence followed may be simplified as: listen - sing - understand - read and write - create. Using this method under the guidance of a certified Kodaly teacher, students can develop listening skills, sight-singing, ear training, learn how to play instruments, compose, improvise, sing, dance, analyse, read and write music. Zoltan Kodaly Quotes: "Only art of intrinsic value is suitable for children! Everything else is harmful. We should read music in the same way that an educated adult will read a book: in silence, but imagining the sound. "To teach a child an instrument without first giving him preparatory training and without developing singing, reading and dictating to the highest level along with the playing is to build upon sand. "Teach music and singing at school in such a way that it is not a torture but a joy for the pupil; instill a thirst for finer music in him, a thirst which will last for a lifetime." ________________________ The Kodaly Method (pronounced ko-dah-y, with a silent "l") is a musical education paradigm used to build singing and ear tuning abilities in young children. Using the Kodaly method for musical training, children are able to develop their musical ability by singing traditional folk songs. There is no musical "grade" with the method, as is awarded in piano or other instruments. Instead, the aim of the Kodaly method is to assist every child to become musically literate. This is done by utilising several approaches, central to the Kodaly method: use of rhythm, solfege, sight-reading, listening, writing, performing and creating music. Musical literacy is also developed using aural and visual memory experiences. Building on this basic understanding they soon learn how to perform, listen to and analyse classical music of the world. Further, their skills increase in order to compose music of their own.

Froebel College of Education November 2011

The basic philosophy of the Kodaly method teaches that all people who are capable of "lingual literacy" (those who have the ability to speak) are also capable of musical literacy. Musical literacy skills are built from the basic understanding of language development. There are three sequential learning concepts that are traditionally learnt in language development: 1. Aural - students first learn to listen to sounds and tones in order to form words 2. Written - once words are understood, words and tones can be translated into written form 3. Reading - the student develops the ability to read written material The same applies for the development of musical literacy, using the Kodaly method. The Kodaly method teaches singing and listening techniques comprised of rhythm symbols and syllables, along with hand signals to demonstrate the relationship between tones. The hand signals enable students to visualise the tone, to determine whether it is rising or falling. By way of introduction, songs or melodies that are native to the student are introduced first. Primarily these must be in the mother tongue (from their country of native origin), for greatest effect. Songs from other cultures can be gradually introduced, which concentrate on vocal awareness, to widen the singing voice. Young children start at the base level where they are taught to sing in tune to match musical patterns. For example, soh-lah-soh-me. Building on this, children learn to say musical words in a rhythm, and clap a beat. One key aspect of the Kodaly method is the use of the body in the expression of music. So in addition to bringing their voice in tune and clapping to the beat, the next level is to step to a beat. They will also learn how to clap the rhythm of a text, and clap the rhythm while thinking about the words whilst not voicing them out loud. For more advanced users of the Kodaly method, classical instruments such as xylophones (with removable bars) and recorders are introduced. But for the beginner, learning music using the Kodaly method is akin to learning a language.

Reference Choksy, L. (1981) The Kodly Context: Creating an Environment for Musical Learning. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1981

Froebel College of Education November 2011