Kodály method
Hungarian music education approach inscribed as UNESCO heritage.
The Kodály method, sometimes called the Kodály concept, is a system of music education that originated in mid-twentieth-century Hungary. It was inspired by the educational philosophy of Zoltán Kodály, though his colleagues and students spent many years developing the actual teaching practices. In 2016, UNESCO added the method to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Kodály’s involvement with children’s music education began in 1925, after he heard schoolchildren singing poorly and was determined to improve the situation. He wrote articles and essays criticizing the use of low-quality music in schools and the fact that music was only taught in secondary grades. He argued for better-trained teachers, a stronger curriculum, and more classroom time for music. Starting in 1935, Kodály worked with Jenő Ádám to create a new curriculum, teaching methods, and original compositions for children. Their work led to several influential books that shaped music education both in Hungary and abroad.
The Hungarian government began implementing Kodály’s ideas in public schools in 1945, aided by the socialist system’s control over education. The first music primary school, where music was taught daily, opened in 1950. Its success led to over a hundred similar schools within a decade, and by the mid-1960s there were around 100-150 music primary schools in Hungary. The method gained international attention in 1958 at an International Society for Music Educators conference in Vienna, and a 1964 conference in Budapest let educators see it in action. Many traveled to Hungary to visit Kodály’s schools. The first symposium dedicated solely to the method was held in Oakland, California, in 1973, where the International Kodály Society was founded. Today, Kodály-based approaches are used worldwide.
The pedagogy itself was created by Kodály’s colleagues and students, who adapted techniques from existing methods after researching music education globally. It follows a child-developmental sequence, introducing concepts based on what is easiest for a child and moving to more difficult material. Children first experience musical ideas through listening, singing, or movement, and only later learn to notate them—similar to the Suzuki method. Concepts are reinforced through games, movement, songs, and exercises.
- Field
- Music education
- Nationality
- Hungarian
- Known for
- Kodály method of music education
Lore & Background
Kodály became interested in the music education of children in 1925 when he overheard some students singing songs that they had learned at school. Appalled by the standard of the children's singing, he wrote controversial articles, columns, and essays to raise awareness, criticizing schools for using poor-quality music and for only teaching music in the secondary grades. Beginning in 1935, along with his colleague Jenő Ádám, he embarked on a long-term project to reform music teaching in lower and middle schools, creating a new curriculum and teaching methods, as well as writing new musical compositions for children.
Kodály’s efforts bore fruit in 1945 when the new Hungarian government began to implement his ideas in public schools. The first music primary school, in which music was taught daily, opened in 1950. The school was so successful that over one hundred music primary schools opened within the next decade. By the mid-1960s, there were around 100-150 music primary schools in Hungary.
Reader's Guide
The Kodály method uses a child-developmental approach, introducing skills according to the capabilities of the child. It incorporates rhythm syllables similar to those created by nineteenth-century French theoretician Emile-Joseph Chêvé, and rhythmic movement inspired by Swiss music educator Emile Jaques-Dalcroze. The method uses a system of movable-do solfège syllables for sight-singing, which Kodály encountered while visiting England, where a system created by Sarah Glover and augmented by John Curwen was used. Hand signs, borrowed from Curwen, are performed during singing exercises to provide a visual aid. Materials are drawn strictly from authentic folk music and good-quality composed music. The method's creators researched music educational techniques used throughout the world and incorporated those they felt were best suited for use in Hungary. Today Kodály-based methods are used throughout the world, and the method was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.
Did You Know?
- The Kodály method was inscribed as an item of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.
- Kodály became interested in music education in 1925 after overhearing students singing poorly at school.
- The first music primary school, with daily music instruction, opened in 1950 in Hungary.
- The International Kodály Society was inaugurated in 1973 at a symposium in Oakland, California.
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