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The Orff Approach to Music Education for Children
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Carl Orff and Herbert von Karajan in recording studio
De Agostini/A. Dagli Orti / Getty Images
By Espie Estrella
Updated January 24, 2019
The Orff approach is a method of teaching children about music that engages their mind and body
through a mixture of singing, dancing, acting and the use of percussion instruments. For instance, the
Orff method often uses instruments like xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels.
A key characteristic of this approach is that lessons are presented with an element of play, which helps
the children learn at their own level of understanding.
The Orff method can also be referred to as Orff-Schulwerk, Orff approach, or “Music for Children.”
What Is the Orff Method?
Carl Orff
Imagno / Getty Images
The Orff approach is a way of introducing and teaching children about music on a level that they can
easily comprehend.
Musical concepts are learned through singing, chanting, dance, movement, drama and the playing of
percussion instruments. Improvisation, composition and a child’s natural sense of play are encouraged.
Continue Reading Below
Who Created the Orff Approach?
This approach to music education was developed by Carl Orff, a German composer, conductor and
educator whose most famous composition is the oratorio “Carmina Burana”.
It was conceived during the 1920s and 1930s while he served as music director of the Günther-Schule; a
school of music, dance, and gymnastics that he co-founded in Munich.
His ideas were based on his belief in the importance of rhythm and movement. Orff shared these ideas
in a book titled Orff-Schulwerk, which was later revised and then adapted into English as Music for
Children.
Other books by Orff include Elementaria, Orff Schulwerk Today, Play, Sing, & Dance and Discovering Orff
a Curriculum for Music Teachers.
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Types of Music and Instruments Used
Folk music and music composed by the children themselves are mostly used in the Orff classroom.
Xylophones (soprano, alto, bass), metallophones (soprano, alto, bass), glockenspiels (soprano and alto),
castanets, bells, maracas, triangles, cymbals (finger, crash or suspended), tambourines, timpani, gongs,
bongos, steel drums and conga drums are but some of the percussion instruments used in the Orff
classroom.
Other instruments, both pitched and unpitched, that may be used include claves, cowbells, djembe,
rainmakers, sand blocks, tone blocks, vibraslap, and wood blocks.
What Does an Orff Method Lesson Look Like?
Although Orff teachers use many books as frameworks, there is no standardized Orff curriculum. Orff
teachers design their own lesson plans and adapt it to suit the size of the class and the age of the
students.
For example, a teacher may choose a poem or a story to read in class. Students are then asked to
participate by choosing instruments to represent a character or a word in the story or poem.
As the teacher reads the story or poem again, students add sound effects by playing the instruments
they selected. The teacher then adds accompaniment by playing Orff instruments.
As the lesson progresses, students are asked to play Orff instruments or add other instruments. To keep
the whole class involved, others are asked to act out the story.
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Orff Method Sample Lesson Format
More specifically, here is a very simple lesson plan format that may be used for young children.
First, choose a poem. Then, read the poem to the class.
Second, ask the class to recite the poem with you. Recite the poem together while keeping a steady beat
by tapping hands to knees.
Third, choose students who will play the instruments. Ask the students to play certain notes on cue
words. Note that the instruments must match the words. It is important that students maintain the
correct rhythm and learn proper mallet technique.
Fourth, add other instruments and choose students to play these instruments.
Fifth, discuss the day’s lesson with the students. Ask them questions like, “was the piece easy or
difficult?” Also, ask questions to assess students’ comprehension.
Finally, clean up! Put away all instruments.
Notation
In the Orff classroom, the teacher acts like a conductor who gives cues to her eager orchestra. If the
teacher selects a song, some students will be chosen as instrumentalists while the rest of the class sings
along.
Parts may or may not be notated. If notated, it should be simple enough for the students to understand.
The teacher then provides students with a copy of the notes and/or creates a poster.
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Key Concepts Learned in the Orff Process
Using the Orff approach, students learn about rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form and other
elements of music. Students learn these concepts by speaking, chanting, singing, dancing, movement,
acting and playing instruments.
These learned concepts become springboards for further creative pursuits such as improvisation or
composing their own music.
Additional Information
Watch this YouTube video by the Memphis City Schools Orff Music Program to get a better
understanding of Orff’s pedagogy and philosophy. For information on Orff teacher certification,
associations, and additional info about the Orff approach, please visit the following:
Carl Orff Canada
American Orff-Schulwerk Association
Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk
Carl Orff Homepage
Continue Reading Below
Carl Orff Quotes
Here are some quotes by Carl Orff to give you a better understanding of his philosophy:
“Experience first, then intellectualize.”
“Since the beginning of time, children have not liked to study. They would much rather play, and if you
have their interests at heart, you will let them learn while they play; they will find that what they have
mastered is child’s play.
“Elemental music is never just music. It’s bound up with movement, dance and speech, and so it is a
form of music in which one must participate, in which one is involved not as a listener but as a co-
performer.”
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