Playing Together

An Introduction to Teaching Orff-Instrument Skills

Orff instruments have put the joy of playing ensemble music into the hands of students in classrooms around the world. The magical sounds of these instruments are available to everyone – even without special training. However, a step-by-step approach to mallet instruments encourages instrumental facility and promotes beautiful sounds. Playing Together is the first book to offer the systematic guidance you need to help your students develop mallet skills with ease. In this book you will find a sequenced program for building instrumental technique that begins with sound effects, proceeds to playing accompaniments, and - finally - melodies. Skills are introduced in a carefully sequenced presentation of authentic and artistic musical materials: folk melodies, Renaissance music, composed pieces, and standard Orff literature. Three Orff master teachers have also provided a classroom reality check for these materials, offering suggestions to encourage skillful playing and enjoyment. While Orff training is helpful, it is not a prerequisite for classroom application of the music in this book. You can achieve success if you are able to play the recorder, respect the ranges and colors of the instruments, and acknowledge the inestimable contribution of instruments toward building musicianship in your students.