In the early part of the 20th century, three educators and composers became known as the specialists in music education reform. The very foundation of the Let’s Play Music curriculum is based upon the philosophies and techniques of Zoltan Kodaly, Emile Jacques-Dalcroze and Carl Orff.
Kodaly:
Solfeggio syllables and hand signs
Folksongs and circle games
Solfeggio ‘patterning’ to aid inner hearing
The ‘flexible staff’
Movable DO
Dalcroze:
Rhythmic understanding through full body movement
Feel the steady beat first
Orff:
Use of the body as the first instrument
Use of percussion instruments
Use of barred melody instruments (xylophone, glockenspiel)
The Let's Play Music curriculum is organized into three sequential years. The first year, we use engaging games and songs and incorporate Tone Bells to teach staff awareness and rhythm reading skills. The second year, we transfer these skills to playing the piano where we also learn chord notation, intervals, and harmonic improvisation. By the end of the third year, students are playing piano at an intermediate level, transposing music, composing their own music, sight-reading music, and are prepared to excel in further private piano instruction.
