Zoltan Kodály (1882-1967) believed that effective musical learning must begin with singing as it is the finest means of music making and is in-built in mankind. It ensures a connection with the inner hearing, the most essential aspect of any musician. Studies have shown that the Kodály method improves:

• Intonation
• Rhythm Skills
• Music literacy
• Ability to sing in increasing complex parts

Outside of music it has shown to improve performance in other academic areas such as

• Maths and reading
• Concept formation
• Perceptual functioning

Sound musical education starts with the use of the voice and thus directly the ear. The continual noruishment of the ear at a young age will influence the way we listen. Listening is fundamentally different from hearing. Listening is a concious activity that requires practice. Real music education improves our listening as a whole, not just to music but to ourselves which in turn improves our communication and leads to improved

• Confidence
• Concentration
• Memory
• Attention

It is useful to know that the ear is not only a receptor of sound (conciously or unconciously) but that it has influence over the entire body. The ear feeds our sense of balance, our spatial orientation, our co-ordination and movement. All these elements of the functioning of the human organism are being developed when one engages in real music learning.

The Kodaly Method is a comprehensive system which should precede and continue alongside instrumental practice.