Over the years, we’ve spent a great deal of time extolling the benefits of an education in music. Music has a significantly positive impact on our mental and emotional health, upgrades our busy lives, and even contributes to enhanced cognitive skills. Even better, there’s no one right way to learn to make music! In addition to the more traditional approach used by many large institutions, such as the Royal Conservatory of Music, new methods of learning music have recently gained popularity.

Check out these…

4 Approaches to Learning Music

The Traditional Approach

For simplicity’s sake, we will use the Royal Conservatory of Music (or RCM) as our exemplar for this approach. The RCM has been active in Canada for more than 130 years. Many musicians, both famous and otherwise, studied using their traditional approach. Although other institutions may have some differences, the methods are generally the same.

Utilizing a model not unlike a traditional academic setting, the RCM uses ten levels through which a student must advance. Each includes repertoire, technique, theory, and listening skills. Each level culminated in an exam, which students must pass to move on. Also, like the modern school system, the RCM exams are standardized. Students perform before a “jury” of two or more music professionals. The jury assesses each student on their prepared performance. They are graded on their ability, technique, and listening skills. As one might expect in a system like this, each exam is more difficult to pass than the last.

While this method is tried and true, the material is often presented in a drier, more academic light than some more modern techniques. Whether this is an advantage or disadvantage depends on the student.

The Kodály Method

The central idea of the Kodály method is that learning music should be a cultural undertaking. Zoltan Kodály, a Hungarian composer, believed learning the folk music of your own cultural background is where music education should start. Kodály wanted exposure to music in the classroom to have a spiritual, cultural, and emotional impact on students; he thought it should be transformative. Additionally, the approach relies on the idea that students learn most effectively when exposed to music in a group setting. This facilitates learning music principles, creativity, and teamwork.

This method of learning music is growing in popularity because students don’t need an instrument to begin learning; all they need is their voice, making it perfect for novices. The Kodály method uses five main principles:

1. Relative ear pitch training.
2. Hand signals relating to pitch.
3. Rhythm.
4. Creativity and improvisation
5. Collaboration.

The Orff Approach

German composer and educator Cark Orff, along with his collaborator Gunild Keetman, created the Orff Schulwerk (literally “schoolwork” in German) approach to learning music in the 1920s and ’30s. His method, designed for children, focuses on the significance of rhythm and teaches students to sing–and speak– rhythmically. It is only then they are exposed to musical instruments.

The guiding principle of Orff’s theory of musical instruction is the natural merging of music and movement. Furthermore, the approach puts an emphasis on learning to listen carefully; something deeply connected to other skills, like performing, as well as reading and writing. Additionally, the Orff approach encourages students to take initiative and find their own voices.

This alternative approach to learning music is very personal and can be perfect for students with varying skill levels and learning preferences.

The Suzuki Method

This approach originated in Japan in the early 20th century and spread to the West in the 1960s. Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki based his method of learning music on how children learn language. In fact, he called his method the “mother-tongue approach” and applied the tenets of learning language to the study of music. These tenets include:

1. Immersion in the musical community.
2. Avoidance of tests or auditions.
3. Emphasis on beginning at a very early age.
4. Utilizing well-trained teachers.
5. Early attention to learning music by ear.
6. Memorization of all solo repertoire
7. Regular playing groups.
8. Frequent public performances.

The Suzuki method aims to create a musical learning environment similar to the one children experience when learning their first language. Additionally, Suzuki felt that a sense of community like this would also foster moral development.

Learning Music: Choose Your Path

There is no singular “right way” to learn music. And today, the methods are multiplying. For every approach we have discussed here, there may be five, ten, or a hundred more to explore and choose from. So, finding the right one to help you or your child reach their musical goals means doing your research. New, hyped, and exciting methods for learning music are popping up all the time, so don’t get lost in all the choices. Instead, take the time to understand your or your child’s specific needs. Consider tastes, temperaments, and learning preferences, and find the approach most suitable for those needs.

Interested in The Music Studio’s approach? You can learn about all our programs here and get to know our professional teachers here. Please feel free to contact us with any questions and sign up today!