Orff Schulwerk

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Music education
Major instructional methodologies
Kodály
Orff Schulwerk
Dalcroze
Suzuki
Instructional settings
General instruction
Extracurricular
Ensemble

Chorus
Concert band
Marching band
Orchestra
International organizations
ISME
ISJE
OAKE
National organizations in the United States
National Association for Music Education
Music Teachers National Association
American Choral Directors Association
American String Teachers Association
American School Band Directors Association

The Orff Schulwerk, or simply the Orff Approach, is a developmental approach to Music Education for children. It was developed by the German composer Carl Orff (1895-1982), while he was music director of a school of dance and music known as the Günther-Schule, in Munich. He collaborated extensively with Gunild Keetman to fully develop the philosophy. The term 'schulwerk' is the German term for schooling or school work, in this regard in the area of music.

The Orff approach of music education uses very rudimentary forms of everyday activities in the purpose of music creation by young individuals. This includes singing in groups and performing voice instrumental music, rhymes and playing instruments such as the metallophone, xylophone, glockenspiel, and other percussive instruments. The music generated is largely improvisational and original tonal constructions and this builds a sense of confidence and interest in the process of creative thinking. Children also make music together in a group and hence realize the joys of group co-ordination and cohesion. It also involves the participation of other adults and parents in music making. Thus it brings the role of parent in child education in a central position. When interesting original music has been generated by the groups or individual child, then a desire to record it may arise. Thus, the desire to develop musical skills emerges by itself, and the child may be intrinsically propelled to learn formal music.

Ostinato and percussive tonal structures are integral aspects of Orff Schulwerk. Orff considered the percussive rhythm as a natural basic form of human expression. Orff-Schulwerk music is largely based on simple but forceful variations on rhythmic patterns. This makes for very simple and beautiful musical forms, which are easily learned by young children; and is also useful for adults. Thus it has universal appeal. Orff-Schulwerk is a system of music education which treats music as a basic system like language and believes that just as every child can learn language without formal instruction so can every child learn music in a gentle and friendly approach. Composer David Hewson was exposed to Orff Schulwerk and this influence helped to shape a lot of his much later music.

From a teacher’s aspect Orff – Schulwerk is also a process of breaking down each activity into its simplest form and then presenting those steps one at a time to eventually become a completed performance.

[edit] Selected bibliography

  • Orff Carl; Keetman G.(1950) Musik für Kinder I. Mainz: Schott.
  • Orff Carl; Keetman G. (1950) Musik für Kinder: Reime und Spiellieder. Mainz: Schott.

[edit] External links