The Whole Note Music Academy

Music for the Whole Community

Orff Schulwerk is a way of teaching music and movement used by teachers across the country. The method was developed by German composer Carl Orff and his colleague Guinild Keetman. The Orff-Schulwerk approach places the child at the center of the musical activity. The Orff philosophy emphasizes active learning, and, by reducing music to an elemental level, allows for early experiences with improvisation and composition.

The center-piece of the Orff approach is the use of barred instruments of various sizes and timbres. These are appealing to children and can be configured so that children can achieve very early success and proficiency on the instruments. In addition to the instruments, the use of speech and movement to teach rhythm and meter adds to the appeal. Dance and drama round out the approach. Students bring to life nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and other dramatic stories through movement, singing, and instruments.

The Orff approach is particularly suited to older children who want to delve deeper into music study but who aren’t yet ready to study an instrument privately. Students not only enjoy the music making inherent in the Orff approach but also begin to learn musical skills like note and rhythm reading, dynamics, and ensemble playing.

To find out more about Carl Orff and the Orff approach, visit the American Orff Schulwerk Association Web site at:
    www.aosa.org
    Select > Publications & Resources
    Select > Press Room Fact Sheet, Carl Orff