Orff Shulwerk
Creative music and movement education.- If the video above will not play for you, download or play it here.
What is Orff Schulwerk?
Orff Schulwerk is an approach to music education. It was developed by German composer and music educator Carl Orff (1895-1982) and colleague Gunild Keetman (1904-1990).How does it work?
The Orff approach integrates Speech, Singing, Movement and lnstruments to teach the elements of music.Students are immersed naturally, as in language-learning, into Hearing and lmitating, then Making Music, and, later, Reading and Writing music.
Techniques include lmitation (simultaneous imitating), Echo, Ostinato, Canon, Question and Answer.
Instruments and scale
The Orff approach uses percussion instruments specifically chosen or designed for children. Both untuned and tuned percussion instruments are utilised.Untuned percussion:
tambourines, tambours, claves (rhythm/tapping sticks), woodblocks, triangles, castanets, guiros, triangles etc.
Tuned percussion:
xylophones, glockenspiels, metallophones etc.
A distinguishing feature in Orff Shulwerk is the use of the pentatonic (5 note) scale and the utilisation of tuned instruments with detachable bars. As all notes in a pentatonic scale will harmonise, fear of making a mistake is removed and students feel more comfortable to experiment. The pentatonic scale used in We're Orff is the C pentatonic. It uses the notes C D E G A. Removing the F and B bars on the instrument will instantly create this scale.
Improvisation
Students explore and create from the very beginning. As they learn more skills and techniques they draw upon these to explore, create and contribute to the musical experience.Inclusion
The Orff approach is inclusive and each student contributes according to ability. Orff Shulwerk begins with simple tasks and develops to more complex activities, but the contributions of all students at all levels is easily incorporated into the musical experience, giving value both to individual creativity and group work - without the restrictions of technical ability.