How to Teach Rhythm with Kodály Syllables

One of my favourite ways to teach rhythm (especially to young beginners) is by using the Kodály Syllables. In this video, I'll show you how I use Kodály and demonstrate the actions exactly as I use them with my students.

I cover this in great detail in my book, 'Rhythm in 5'. If you're a Vibrant Music Teaching member, you can access the book here:

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[christianebowman]

Exactly what I was looking for a visual of the hand motion for the talking rhythm of Kodaly! Thank you for posting this video. Very informative and easy to understand :)

[pianowithpri]

Good idea to make it a gentle Karate chop! Great video btw--very helpful.

[akilamurali]

Could you give us a PDF with your style of syllable

[bassoskat]

I like the idea of this method because it explains a lot to a degee, however the issue for me is when teaching students the values within a bar relative to it’s time signature. Tika tika isn’t going to communicate to a student speed, or time value as well a counting the values out. So when they go to learn to read music they have to go back an count things out. Additionally, dotted figures are seemingly always rushed for similar reasons because the value isn’t clear, as opposed to 12(3)4, probably because the ah sound is not cut off and carries over into the ti sound. Anyway... doesn’t matter.