The Kodály philosophy is a system of music education that has evolved from the inspiration and creativity of Zoltán Kodály. This philosophy was not invented by Kodály, but became famous because of his personal guidance of the Hungarian schools. In 1950 the first “music primary” school began in Kesckmet, Hungary. It was in this school that children received daily singing lessons, which in turn taught them the foundations of music. From 1950 to the present, this Kodály philosophy has influenced music education in over eighteen nations. In our own country there are Kodály methods being taught in almost every music classroom.
The musical objectives of Kodály musical training is to train all children to:
- Sing, play instruments and dance from memory, a large number of traditional singing games, chants, and folk songs, drawn first from the child’s own heritage of folk song material and later expanded to Rhythm symbols and syllables are utilized.
- Hand signals (relative solfa) are used to show tonal relationships.
- Moveable do is used (with minor based on la of do).
- Folk songs are emphasized as musical material in the “mother-tongue.”
- Concepts are taught according to the child’s learning development.
- Singing is “the essence” of the approach; voice is the main instrument. All children can sing and be successful.
How is the Kodály Philosophy Taught?
- Rhythm symbols and syllables are utilized.
- Hand signals (Solfege) are used to show tonal relationships.
- The moveable “do” is practiced.
- The musical material emphasized is the mother-tongue/folksong.
- Concepts are taught according to the child’s learning development.
- Singing is the major instrument. All children can sing and be successful
The Children:
- hear it first
- then sing
- then understand
- then read and write
- then create
Biographies:
- Kodály’s Biography
- For more information, go to www.oake.org, www.kodalymusicinstitute.org, or www.iks.hu
