Kodály Approach

Who?
• Zoltan Kodály is a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, and pedagogue known for
creating the Kodály Method.

Why?
• The Kodály method was created as a result of Dr. Kodály wanting to improve the
music education system in Hungary. Together, he and Bela Bartok collaborated in the
creation of a Hungarian folk song collection, which later grew to be a large focus of
the Kodály method.

What?
• The Kodály method is a way of developing musical skills and teaching musical
concepts through ear training, rhythm, and folk songs. It consists of six elements:
• Singing: Singing develops the inner, musical ear and should precede instrumental
learning. Learning to sing is done through the use of folk songs or traditional
children’s songs.
• Folk Music: Folk Music consists of music’s foundation principles, making it a
useful tool for learning how to sing. Each song is representative of a different
culture, providing exposure to other countries for children.
• Solfège: Solfège is also a useful tool for developing the inner, musical ear. It
builds the following musical skills: sight singing, dictation, ear training, part
hearing, hearing/singing harmony, perceiving form, and developing memory.
Solfège is most commonly taught through the moveable do system.
• Quality: Teachers should be as well-trained and well-rounded as possible to
provide the highest quality teaching and education for their students.
• Development: Kodály training meets the National Standards for Arts Education.
Music reading and writing are begun at an early stage while part-singing and
hearing, improvisation, intonation, listening, memory, phrasing and understanding
of form are simultaneously developed.
• Sequencing: A Kodály sequenced curriculum must be correctly planned out to
ensure that skills are developed and an experience-based approach is occurring
rather than a cognitive developmental.

How?
• Practical uses of Kodály include teaching singing through the use of folk songs in
early childhood, using solfège to teach aural skills, teaching hand sings in solfège,
fostering sight reading skills in an ensemble, and teaching rhythm.

Advantages?
• Primary focus on developing one’s inner ear
• Development of musicianship skills at an early age
• Responsibility for one’s own education as a musician
• Fostering musicianship growth

Challenges?
• Representing various cultures through the use of folk music, not just one
• Issues of racism or sexism in folk songs (i.e.- innuendos)