3 ways to teach music with the Kodaly method

In another blog post, I discussed how I like to teach music with the Orff method.   Like I stated in that post, there are many different music teaching methods out there and it can be tough choosing which one to use.

You know what the awesome news is?  You don’t have to choose.   Take what you know about the different teaching methods and make them your own.  Think about your school, students, resources, and your personality and teach your students music.   This is exactly what I did when I started out and had no resources or materials. 

In order to know how to do what works best for you, being knowledgeable about the different teaching methods is a must.  In this blog post, I will share how to teach with Kodaly, even if you just don’t know where to start.  If you’re curious about teaching the Kodaly method, these ideas will hopefully help you to get started.

 

1. Singing

With the Kodaly method, I really enjoy using solfege.  Every student has a different learning style, which makes teaching so much fun.  For the kinesthetic learners, using solfege helps them with paying attention, learning the notes, and remembering to sing the melody.  Kodaly focuses on teaching melody and harmony, which are important parts of a well rounded music education.

I think singing is so important in elementary music education.  In fact, when I first started teaching, my school had no instruments.  So what did I do with my students?  We sang!  Then, we sang some more.  It is amazing when students realize they can use their voices to make music and discover they can use their voices for more than just talking.

2.  Folk Music

A similarity between Orff and Kodaly is the focus on folk music.  Folk music is a song passed down from generation to generation, or as my students put it, from the “olden days.”  With folk songs, students can sing, dance, and learn games.  There are so many great folk songs out there for students to learn, and the songs you choose to teach is completely up to you.

“Jump Jim Joe”  is one of my favorite teaching resources.  This book is filled with so many folk songs and dances that students love.  When teaching a folk song, I start with teaching the song first, then adding the dance or accompanying game.  This really brings the song to life, so to speak.

3.  Music Composition

The pianist in me loves the music composition part of the Kodaly method.  I think it’s important for students to not only hear and experience music, but to learn to be young composers.  I’m not talking about composing music like Beethoven or Mozart (although that would be awesome if the next amazing composer was in your class.)  But, students can notate rhythms, notes, and create simple compositions.  Students should already be comfortable counting rhythms with the ta-titi pattern, so by the time they get to compose, applying rhythms to a composition will go well.

The way I did this is by giving clear directions.  In a particular lesson with 4th graders, for example, they work in groups or alone.  Give them a sheet of staff paper, tell them how many measures their composition needs to be, give them other instructions or instruments as needed, and watch their compositions come to life.  I am seriously always amazed with the awesome melodies my students come up with.

 

In the comments, tell me ways you enjoy implementing Kodaly into your music classroom.  Do you know a teacher who could use this article?  I would love for you to share it with them.

P.S.  Are you feeling frustrated or stuck as an elementary music teacher?  Check out these free resources to help you teach elementary music with confidence!