I’m so excited to be getting the opportunity to explore Orff with Vashti Summervill. Orff-Schulwerk is a philosophy of music teaching that is often used in school music classrooms – but it can be put to great use in the private studio as well. I think the quote Vashti uses at the beginning sums it up pretty well:
“Show me – I forget,
Teach me – I learn,
Involve me – I understand.”
Vashti’s students are definitely involved in every part of their music education. In her teaching, Vashti uses so many creative and collaborative activities to teach all sorts of concepts. As she says on her website, reading is only one tool in the musical toolbox and there are so many more to explore!
If possible, you’re definitely going to want to watch the video on this one – not just listen. Vashti has invited in some students to demonstrate the activities. Plus you’re going to want to see her equipment, I’m green with envy!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What Orff-Schulwerk means
- The philosophies behind the Orff approach
- How Vashti adapts this approach from classroom to studio
- What it means to be an Orff teacher
- Where you can get Orff training and the certification process
- Who the Orff approach is for and what the advantages are
- Activities you can do with minimal equipment and investment
- How a rhythm activity could progress over several weeks
- Lots of fun activities that you can use in lessons straight away
Items mentioned in this podcast:
- The Ways Children Learn Music
- Open Door Music Studio
- Bradley Sowash
- TTTV009:Simultaneous Learning with Paul Harris
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Being a full-time teacher myself, I know how busy teachers are and how much time, effort and passion we put into our students. Sometimes, the last thing we want to do in our time off is listen to more piano teaching stuff! So, well done for using this time for self-improvement.
Whether you’re at the gym, on the bike or in the car, I know that you and your students will get lots out of what you learn in the long run. Just make sure you try out some of the ideas before they get lost in the business of your next lessons.
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How often do you use rhythm instruments in your teaching?
Do you normally introduce rhythm concepts away from the piano?
Which activity that Vashti demonstrated are you most looking forward to trying out?
What did you know about Orff before listening to this podcast? Did anything surprise you?
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5 Comments
Really enjoyed this podcast and Vashti’s enthusiasm is infectious. As an ex classroom teacher, I’ve never thought to exploit these percussive techniques within a 1-2-1 piano lesson. I’ve read a little of the Orff techniques but this real life demo was useful and fun to see. Thank you
So I’m doing some catch-up on all the podcasts & listened to this one today in the car. I’m going to watch it so I can see exactly what she was doing with the students, but wow! I love this! Thank you for the demonstration because seeing it happen is so much better than someone describing how to do it. The next thing I want to know is when implementing music learning theory concepts what is the “at home” work you give students to practice? I guess I get nervous moving away from traditional methods that my students won’t have something to practice & their parents won’t think they are learning or progressing. I would love a podcast on this part of the puzzle (I’ll also post something within the IC to see what educators have to suggest. As always, thanks for so much great information in such an easy, free format! I always learn something from each podcast (usually more than one). Brilliant!
Hey Julie – yeah this podcast with Vashti was so much fun! I’d easily have her on again to share her great ideas.
Re your MLT question, if you use Music Moves for Piano, your students’ homework is to learn the piece they are playing that week and keep working with the pattern CD of rhythm and tonal patterns. It’s really well organised.
This is a wonderful video and podcast! I’ve used some of these ideas already and they work fantastically.
Thanks to Vashti, and you Tim, for the great ideas and resources!
Thanks Amber – glad you found it helpful 🙂