Dalcroze, Kodály, and Orff...oh my!! (Part 2 of 4)

There are three (arguably, four) foundational philosophies or "methodologies" in music education. These are the pillars of most music classrooms, but there are countless reasons private teachers should familiarlize themselves with these philosophies.

The Kodály Method is a music education philosophy developed by Hungarian composer and educator Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967). Its core principles emphasize the importance of singing, listening, and a deep understanding of music literacy as foundational elements for music education.

I was first introduced to the Kodály Method in high school when I assisted our elementary music teacher, Miss Kulp, for a semester. I was intrigued by her song catalogue: she had analyzed hundreds of folk songs as part of her master's degree program. She created a note card for each song, organized them alphabetically, and had her precious collection in a recipe box which she allowed me to rifle through. Most of the songs were unfamiliar to me at the time, but I was impressed by the sequential nature of the methodology.

Fast forward to Elementary Methods, a required college course for music education majors. My understanding of the methodology grew a bit more. However, when I was hired for the elementary music teacher position that I had shadowed a few years prior during high school, I knew I wanted to follow in Miss Kulp's footsteps and continue building on the foundation she had laid. I decided to pursue my master's degree in music education with a Kodály certification. My Kodály courses were most influential in shaping me into the teacher I am today.

Here’s a summary of the Kodály Method and how it can be applied to one-on-one private music lessons:

KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE KODÁLY METHOD

1. Sequential Learning: Music education should follow a logical sequence, starting with simple concepts and gradually progressing to more complex ones. The progression is based on what we know about child-development. Each new concept is PREPARED through listening, moving, and playing. Next the concept is PRESENTED in a well-crafted lesson where it is identified, named, and defined. Finally, it is PRACTICED, often through spiraled-learning.

2. Singing as Central: The method emphasizes singing as the primary means of music education. Children and students learn to sing before they learn to play instruments. "If you can sing it, you can play it."

3. Use of Folk Music: The Kodály Method often incorporates folk songs, which are culturally relevant and familiar, making learning more engaging and meaningful.

4. Music Literacy: Students are taught to read and write music through a systematic approach that includes solfege (using syllables like do, re, mi) and rhythmic syllables (such as ta and ti-ti).

5. Active Participation: Learning music should be an active process, involving singing, movement/games, and playing instruments, ensuring that students are fully engaged.

6. Focus on Developmentally Appropriate Materials: The curriculum should be tailored to the age and developmental stage of the students, ensuring that materials are appropriate and engaging.

APPLICATION IN ONE-ON-ONE PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS

In a one-on-one private music lesson setting, the Kodály Method can be effectively integrated as follows:

1. Singing: Incorporating singing from the start of lessons helps students develop their musical ear and improve their vocal skills. Find out which, if any, of your students are familiar with solfege; many elementary music teacher use it. For those students, teaching scales using solfege with solidify their understanding. I have found that it works well to use numbers (1-7) for those students who aren't familiar with solfege. Kodaly-based singing instruction begins with so-mi (5-3), then adds la (6). Have you hears kids taunt "Na-na-na-na-boo-boo" on the playground? It's just a so-mi-la (5-3-6) melody! From there, I either proceed to mi-re-do (3-2-1) or so-mi-do (5-3-1) melodies. Fa and ti (4 and 7) are the hardest to sing in tune, so we save them until the other pitches are well-practiced. I often have my young students play by ear the simple, sequential songs from my collection.

2. Folk Songs and Relevant Repertoire: Using familiar songs makes the learning process enjoyable and relatable. The teacher should select songs that resonate with the student’s cultural background or personal interests. HOWEVER, I have found that much, if not most, of the traditional Kodály folk song repertoire is obsolete! Those songs are no longer the "mother tongue" of the children. Instead, the kids are singing Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran on the playground. But that's no problem! You'll be amazed by how many popular songs still fit into the Kodály sequence; I've begun adding them them to my catalogue of songs.

3. Music Literacy Development: Private lessons can focus on developing music reading skills using the Kodály notation approach. Find out how rhythms are taught in your students' music classes. If they know to say "ta" for quarter notes and "ti-ti" for pairs of eighth notes, that's a dead giveaway that their school music teacher is trained in Kodály. It would benefit the student greatly if you could continue using those syllables in their lessons. Unlike typical method books that begin with quarter, half, and whole notes and rests, the Kodály Method begins with just steady beat, then introduces quarter notes, the eighth notes. The idea is that the faster-mmoving rhythms are more common in children's organic musical repertoire. The spoken rhythm syllables aid in rhythmic understanding and performance.

4. Regular Assessment and Feedback: Continuous assessment through performance and practical exercises allows the instructor to provide feedback, celebrate progress, and address areas needing improvement.

The Kodály Method provides a rich framework for teaching music, emphasizing a holistic approach that engages the student through singing, creativity, and active participation. In one-on-one private music lessons, this method can be adapted to meet the individual needs of students, making music education enjoyable and effective. By focusing on music literacy and using culturally relevant materials, instructors can cultivate a lifelong love for music in their students.

Have you heard of the Kodály Method? If so, have you incorporated any of the concepts in your teaching? Tell us how in our Facebook community!