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Resonator bells, chime bars, glockenspiels, metallophones, xylophones, bass bars, and timpani are all part of the Orff family of musical instruments. Orff is short for Orff-Schulwerk, which is a popular method of teaching music created by Carl Orff during the 1920s. It’s based on the principle that people should learn and discover music in a natural, playful way.
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Orff Schulwerk, also known as the Orff approach, is an innovative method of music education developed by composer Carl Orff. This method emphasizes creativity, improvisation, and using various percussion instruments to teach musical concepts to children in a playful manner. The media used in this approach are singing, speech, movement, instrument playing, composition, and improvisation.
The Orff method incorporates a variety of percussion instruments to facilitate learning. Key instruments include barred instruments such as xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, and various unpitched percussion instruments. These instruments are designed to be easy to play, allowing children to focus on rhythm and melody without the complexity of more advanced instruments.
Xylophones are central to the Orff approach, providing a simple and intuitive way for students to learn about pitch and rhythm. Brands like Sonor and Studio 49 offer high-quality xylophones specifically designed for educational settings. These durable instruments produce clear, resonant tones perfect for classroom use. Metallophones and glockenspiels expand the Orff ensemble to include metal sounds with the xylophones. The combination of xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels creates a pleasing sound as an ensemble.
Unpitched percussion provides another pathway to musicianship in an Orff classroom setting. Various instruments such as hand drums, triangles, tambourines, claves, cabasas, timpani, and maracas provide more sounds and help enhance rhythmic understanding. They are essential to any Orff ensemble, providing a foundational beat and enhancing the overall musical experience.
Sonor and Studio 49 are leading brands in the production of Orff instruments. These manufacturers are known for their high-quality construction and excellent sound production, making them ideal for educational purposes. Instruments from these brands are designed to withstand frequent use in classroom settings while providing superior sound quality.
The Orff method fosters a holistic musical education, encouraging students to engage physically, emotionally, and intellectually with music. Students can explore musical concepts interactively and enjoyably using instruments like xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, and unpitched percussion. This method supports the development of musical skills and a lifelong appreciation for music.
Author: Aaron Hansen
Known for their simplicity, Orff instruments are easy to play for musicians of all ages and abilities. As such, you can often find versatile Orff instruments in music classrooms as well as in bands, symphonies, and Orff ensembles. Each instrument features removable bars and resonating columns. The bars are easy to remove and replace so students can learn music as well as the mechanics of the instrument.
West Music’s curated Orff collection includes a full range of instruments from Sonor, Studio 49, Basic Beat, and more. We also offer one of the largest selections of Orff-Schulwerk curriculum, music, and books as well as Orff stands, carts, mallets, replacement parts, and storage solutions.
