Orff instruments and their method of usage in musical education

ABSTRACT The aim of this research is to deal with the attitude of Carl Orff, the German composer and music teacher, to musical education and to determine the benefits of Orff instruments developed for this particular aim, to musical education. In the introduction, the importance and problems of musical education have been dealt with. In the first part, the topics are the composer attribute of Carl Orff, his attitude towards musical education, his studies at the Gunther School he founded with Dorothea Gûnther, the coming up and development of instruments known as Orff-Style and the varying fate of the musical education method known as "Schulwerk", developed by Orff for children. In the second part, the historical development of Orff instruments is told, the instruments are introduced one by one and information is given about their usage techniques. Moreover, the benefits of Orff instruments to musical education and their usage facilities are also told in this part In the third part, the emphasis is on Orffs musical education process. What matters in this process is research and experience. By way of searching musical elements from easy to difficult and from simple to complex, one reaches to the desired level in musical education. Orff-Schulwerk and Orff instruments were created and developed for all children in the world. Today, there are many Orff-Schulwerk institutions around the world and these work in order to maintain, develop and spread the method. Orff-Schulwerk, which has been translated into 18 languages, is in accordance with the traditional music and folklore of each country. Thus, it can also be applied in our country.