Erzsébet Szönyi

Musical Reading and Writing 1

Zoltán Kodály conceived and realized the education for youngsters on the basis of the singing. Nevertheless he also kept in mind the education of those who were engaged in studying instruments. He even composed small pieces for beginners on the piano (Twenty-four Small Canons on Black Keys, Children's Dances) and he encouraged his disciples to compose exercises, instrumental tutors, and performance pieces for instruments in this spirit. Thus, on the inspiration of the Kodály Concept, a series of tutors and performance pieces were written this contribution to the new Hungarian method of music education is intended to open new possibilities and improve the general level ofmusical appreciation. Our publications are compiled predominantly from Hungarian material: nevertheless Kodály's principles have been applied also to teaching music all around the world.