W H O : A hungarian composer, music educator, and pedagoge famous for creating the Kodaly method

beginning in 1935.
W H Y : After rebelling against the Buddapest Conservatory with student Bela Bartok, Kodaly embarked on a
mission to reform music education in many of Hungary’s low-class schools. This lead to the publication of
many books, and thus, the Kodaly method.
W H A T : The Kodaly method builds off of six essential elements.
1. Singing: The voice, being both the most internal and natural instrument, contributes not only to the
student’s expression but also further develops musicianship.
2. Folk music: The “music of the people” has the potential to teach nearly every foundation of musicianship
via hand-in-hand learning and growth.
3. Solfege: Strengthens the musical ear and builds other musical skills such as sight singing, dictation,
musical memory, and hearing harmonies.
4. Quality: Simply viewing music as an enhancement to student’s quality of life. This concept also requires
teachers to be well-developed and adaptable.
5. Development: Meets the National Standards of Music Education in that this approach teaches many
different skills while bringing awareness to other styles.
6. Sequencing: The steps in which the concepts are taught are extremely important and should be well
planned, based on experience, and result in genuine love for music.
H O W : Some practical uses of the Kodaly method could include using solfege as the primary method of
learning aural skills (as many Universities do), using singing and or solfege to teach beginning musical skills in

Zoltan early childhood that will allow for the further development of the musician, and teaching cognition through self
expression, the music of the people, and community at any given age.
PROS: CONS:
Kodaly -Development of many skills from a very early age
-Focus on the internal and personal meanings of
-Strong emphasis on folk music
What about the folk music of other cultures?
1882-1967 singing as an educational tool Could students not of the nationality of said folk
-Philosophy based the quality of music music feel left out or hints of racism/sexism?