Why does this page exist?

TLDR: This page exists because Kate Bright really, really, really, really likes modes.

When Kate graduated college, she was trapped in the traditions of Western European art music - the best music had already been written hundreds of years ago, and it took four years of study just to learn all the rules. One day she decided to take her Orff-Schulwerk levels and her life changed. Improvisation wasn't just encouraged - it was mandatory! She completed her levels training and continued studying the art of elemental music.

Then the pandemic hit. In order to keep her elemental music community together, she started a Facebook group called "Elemental Musical Adventures." There, she put an elemental music and/or movement challenge every day and has continued doing so. This page exists as a sort of index for Kate's completed challenges and a place where those who have started their own elemental journey can practice.

What is "elemental music teaching"?

Elemental music is a term used by those who have taken Orff-Schulwerk workshops or training. Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman created a way of teaching music to people of all ages and abilities that emphasized the following:

• Music is not just playing instruments - it exists with dance, movement, play, and rhythmic speech.

• Improvisation happens throughout and those being taught create the pieces as they are learning the concepts.

• Musical instruments should be used that produce high-quality sounds with little technique needed (i.e. barred instruments where bars can be removed, unpitched percussion, recorders, etc.).

Source and best printed place for more information: Looking at the Roots: A Guide to Understanding Orff Schulwerk by Wolfgang Hartman

What is "elemental music"?

Elemental music is music that is pattern-based. It can be unpitched or pitched. If it is unpitched, it is accompanied by an ostinato - a short pattern that repeats. If it is pitched, the music is generally accompanied by a drone - which can also be made up of ostinati. These pieces range in complexity - they can be simple enough for a five-year-old or they can bamboozle an adult. To truly be elemental (in Kate's opinion), the participant needs to have somewhere to improvise within the structure - either with movement or a musical accompaniment.

The original volumes of elemental music, written by Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman, do not have a lot of explanation within them. Luckily, Paul Cribari and Richard Layton created The Elemental Style - which is a phenomenal resource I cannot recommend highly enough.

Where can I ask more questions?

Feel free to contact Kate using this form.