Kodály method
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The Kodály method, also referred to as the Kodály concept, is an approach to music education developed in Hungary during the mid-twentieth century by Zoltán Kodály. His philosophy of education served as inspiration for the method, which was then developed over a number of years by his associates. In 2016, the method was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.[1]
History
Kodály became interested in the music education of children in 1925 when he overheard some students singing songs that they had learned at school. Kodály was appalled by the standard of the children's singing, and was inspired to do something to improve the music education system in Hungary.[2]: 16 He wrote a number of controversial articles, columns, and essays to raise awareness about the issue of music education.[2]: 74 In his writings, Kodály criticized schools for using poor-quality music and for only teaching music in the secondary grades.[2]: 72 Kodály insisted that the music education system needed better teachers, better curriculum, and more class time devoted to music.[3]: 30
Beginning in 1935, along with his colleague Jenő Ádám, he embarked on a long-term project to reform music teaching in the lower and middle schools by actively creating a new curriculum and new teaching methods, as well as writing new musical compositions for children. His work resulted in the publication of several highly influential books that have had a profound impact on musical education both inside and outside his home country.[2]: 16–17
Kodály’s efforts finally bore fruit in 1945 when the new Hungarian government began to implement his ideas in the
Kodály’s success eventually spilled outside of Hungarian borders. Kodály’s method was first presented to the international community in 1958 at a conference of the International Society for Music Educators (I.S.M.E.) held in Vienna. Another I.S.M.E. conference in Budapest in 1964 allowed participants to see Kodály’s work first-hand, causing a surge of interest. Music educators from all over the world traveled to Hungary to visit Kodály’s music schools.[7]: 4 The first symposium dedicated solely to the Kodály method was held in Oakland, California in 1973; it was at this event that the International Kodály Society was inaugurated.[7]: 6 Today Kodály-based methods are used throughout the world.[2]: 18
Pedagogy
Using these principles as a foundation, Kodály’s colleagues, friends, and most talented students developed the actual pedagogy now called the Kodály method.[8]: 8 Many of the techniques used were adapted from existing methods.[7]: 15 The creators of the Kodály method researched music educational techniques used throughout the world and incorporated those they felt were the best and most suited for use in Hungary.[8]: 9
Child-developmental approach
The Kodály method uses a child-developmental approach to sequence, introducing skills according to the capabilities of the child.[7]: 10 New concepts are introduced beginning with what is easiest for the child and progressing to the more difficult.[5]: 56 Children are first introduced to musical concepts through experiences such as listening, singing, or movement.[9]: 12 It is only after the child becomes familiar with a concept that he or she learns how to notate it,[5]: 46 similar to methods like Suzuki. Concepts are constantly reviewed and reinforced through games, movement, songs, and exercises.[5]: 58
Rhythm syllables
The Kodály method incorporates
Rhythm syllables vary internationally. Some variants include te-te rather than ti-ti for eighth notes (quavers) and the use of both ti-ri-ti-ri and ti-ka-ti-ka for sixteenth notes (semi-quavers).
Rhythm and movement
The Kodály method also includes the use of rhythmic movement, a technique inspired by the work of Swiss music educator
Rhythm sequence and notation
Rhythmic concepts are introduced in a child-developmentally appropriate manner based upon the rhythmic patterns of their folk music (for example, 6
8 is more common in English than 2
4, so it should be introduced first). The first rhythmic values taught are quarter notes (crotchets) and eighth notes (quavers), which are familiar to children as the rhythms of their own walking and running.[7]: 10 Rhythms are first experienced by listening, speaking in rhythm syllables, singing, and performing various kinds of rhythmic movement. Only after students internalize these rhythms is notation introduced. The Kodály method uses a simplified method of rhythmic notation, writing note heads only when necessary, such as for half notes (minims) and whole notes (semibreves).[7]: 13
Movable-do solfège
The Kodály method uses a system of movable-do
Melodic sequence and pentatony
Scale degrees are introduced in accordance with child-developmental patterns. The first Kodály exercise books were based on the diatonic scale,[7]: 3 but educators soon found that children struggled to sing half steps in tune and to navigate within such a wide range.[7]: 11 It is thus that the pentatonic scale came to be used as a sort of stepping stone.[7]: 9–10 Revised Kodály exercises begin with the minor third (mi-so) and then, one at a time, add la, do, and re. Only after children become comfortable with these pitches are fa and ti introduced, a much simpler feat when taught in relation to the already established pentatonic scale.[7]: 12 Kodály stated that each nation should create its own melodic sequence based upon its own folk music.
Hand signs
Hand signs, also borrowed from the teachings of Curwen, are performed during singing exercises to provide a visual aid.[2]: 156 This technique assigns to each scale degree a hand sign that shows its particular tonal function. For example, do, mi, and so are stable in appearance, whereas fa and ti point in the direction of mi and do, respectively. Likewise, the hand sign for re suggests motion to do, and that of la to so. Kodály added to Curwen’s hand signs upward/downward movement, allowing children to actually see the height or depth of the pitch.[9]: 15 The signs are made in front of the body, with do falling about at waist level and la at eye level. Their distance in space corresponds with the size of the interval they represent.[7]: 14 In 2016, computer scientists at Northwestern University invented an instrument which is controlled by the hand signs, facilitating their learning.[10]
Materials
Kodály-method materials are drawn strictly from two sources: "authentic" folk music and "good-quality" composed music.
Kodály collected, composed, and
Results
Studies have shown that the Kodály method improves
References
- ^ "Komoly magyar siker: a Kodály-módszer mostantól része a világ szellemi örökségének" (in Hungarian). 24.hu. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Mícheál Houlahan, Philip Tacka. (2015). Kodály Today: A Cognitive Approach to Elementary Music Education Inspired by the Kodály Concept. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.
- ^ L. Dobszay (1972). The Kodaly Method and Its Musical Basis. Studia Musicologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 14 (1/4): 15-33. (subscription required).
- ^ a b c László Eösze, trans. István Farkas and Gyula Gulyás (1962). Zoltán Kodály: His Life and Work. London: Collet’s.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Beth Landis (1972). The Eclectic Curriculum in American Music Education: Contributions of Dalcroze, Kodaly, and Orff. Washington: Music Educators National Conference.
- ^ Geoffry Russell-Smith (November 1967). Introducing Kodaly Principles into Elementary Teaching. Music Educators Journal 54 (3): 43–46. (subscription required).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Lois Choksy (1999). The Kodály Method I: Comprehensive Music Education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
- ^ a b c d Lois Choksy (1981). The Kodály Context: Creating an Environment for Musical Learning. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
- ^ a b Lawrence Wheeler (1985). Orff and Kodaly: Adapted for the Elementary School, third edition. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown.
- S2CID 32193503– via dl.acm.org.
- ^ Percy Young (1964). Zoltán Kodály: A Hungarian Musician. London: Ernest Benn.
- . (subscription required).
- ^ a b Peter DeVries (November 2001). Reevaluating Common Kodaly Practices. Music Educators Journal 88 (3): 24-27. (subscription required).
Further reading
- Mícheál Houlahan, Philip Tacka (2008). Kodály Today: A Cognitive Approach to Elementary Music Education. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
- Mícheál Houlahan, Philip Tacka (1998). Zoltán Kodály: A Guide to Research. New York: Rutledge Publishing.
- Zoltán Kodály (1965). Let Us Sing Correctly. London: Boosey & Hawkes, 1965.
- ——— (1965). 333 Elementary Exercises. London: Boosey & Hawkes.
- ——— , trans. Lily Halápy and Fred Macnicol (1974). The Selected Writings of Zoltán Kodály. London: Boosey & Hawkes.
- Patricia K. Shehan (February 1986). Major Approaches to Music Education: An Account of Method. Music Educator’s Journal 72 (6): 26–31.
- Douglas Turpin (February 1986). Kodaly, Dalcroze, Orff, and Suzuki: Application in the Secondary Schools. Music Educators Journal 72 (6): 56–59.
External links
- HKS: Hungarian Kodály Society
- IKS: International Kodály Society
- KMEIA: Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia
- OAKE: Organization of American Kodály Educators
- BKA: British Kodaly Academy
- BBCM: Béla Bartók Centre for Musicianship
- SLKE: Kodály Society of Spain
- Kodály Method | Definition & Meaning | M5 Music - M5 Music