Brief

Overview of Orff Process

A comprehensive program based on the use of song/speech, movement/body rhythms, and
instruments.
Goal: Sensitive Music Making (Creativity, Improvisation)

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The process involves:

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A pentatonic scale does not include half steps which eliminates the strong dissonance that
can be experienced with other scales. This allows students to experiment and create without
worrying about wrong notes as all notes sound pleasant.
Remove the 4th and 7th note (fa and ti) from a major scale to create a pentatonic scale
C D E F G A B C

For C Pentatonic remove F and B

Burgers and Fries

G A B C D E F# G

For G Pentatonic remove C and F# Fish and Chips

F G A Bb C D E F

For F Pentatonic remove Bb and E

Bacon and Eggs

Introduction to Orff

Dr. Shelly Cooper


The Process of Adding Rhythmic and/or Melodic Ostinati
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Learn the poem/song while patting the beat.

Using words and body percussion, learn the ostinato
Add the ostinato to the poem/song
Using words and body percussion, learn the second ostinato
Add the second ostinato to the first ostinato
Add both ostinati to the poem
Continue until all ostinati are learned
Transfer body percussion to instruments (unpitched then pitched)
Perform

Introduction to Orff

Dr. Shelly Cooper