These Orff arrangements are exactly the format I used as a long-time music teacher, teaching in many different types of K-8 schools.
My Orff arrangements feature balanced, complementary ostinati designed specifically for elementary music students. Arranged to 😎 sound amazing on barred instruments with a simplicity to 🌀 prevent student frustration, each is built directly into a ⏱️ ready-to-teach presentation resource. Guided by a sequential Orff approach, you get flexible performance options that give you lots of choices.
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Orff Arrangements on TPT
Browse the collection below to find high-quality, low-prep Orff resources that get your students playing instantly!
❤️ Most Popular Orff Arrangements
Teachers have chosen these TPT best sellers as “Top songs with Orff arrangements” because kids love them and teachers appreciate how the slide resources make them so easy to teach.
I Love the Mountains classic round with Orff arrangement for grades 3-6.
Starry, Starry Night peaceful song with Orff arrangement with games for grades 2-5.
The Beat of Life pop-style song, bass-heavy Orff arrangement for grades 3-6.
🎃 Halloween Songs and Orff Arrangements
If you’ve been hesitant to begin using barred instruments, October and Halloween is the perfect time. With sound effects, minor melodies, and spooky fun, students will love creating and playing.
Miss White Had a Fright classic poem, song activity with Orff arrangement for grades 2-5.
Old Abram Brown 60s-inspired song & countermelody, Orff arrangement for grades 2-6.
Skin and Bones classic Halloween song with Orff arrangement for grades prek-2.
🦃 Orff Arrangements for Thanksgiving
Songs for Thanksgiving can be more than just about turkeys. Other thanksgiving themes include food, thankfulness, and family.
One Piece of Pie round & Orff arrangement based on One Bottle of Pop for grades 2-6.
Give Thanks gorgeous echo song of thanks with Orff arrangement for grades K-3.
Turkey Strut silly canon using half note, tika-ti, Orff arrangement for grades 3-5.
❄️ Winter Orff Arrangements
Add variety to your winter holiday programs with beautifully arranged barred instruments parts.
The Mitten song & Orff arrangement based on Jan Brett book for grades K-3.
Chinese Tea Dance from The Nutcracker Orff arrangement for grades 3-6.
Winter Sky gorgeous canon with Orff arrangement for grades 3-5.
🌍 Black History Month Songs with Orff Arrangements
Coming Soon!
Barred Orff Instrument FAQs
What grade do you typically introduce barred instruments?
Kindergarten second semester is the perfect time to introduce instrument exploration using stories that describe up (glissando up) and down (glissando down) as well as low (C) and high (A). Grade 1 is capable of playing steady beats and creating/improvising melodies using poems and rhymes.
How do you teach students to play barred instruments?
While procedures, routines, and technique are very important, students need to have playing time too. Not just a lot of teacher talk. Instrument exploration and improvisation with simple procedures gets students playing quickly and is very magical. Find more detail in this barred instrument post.
What barred instruments should I start with as I begin getting my Orff instruments?
Barred instruments are expensive and so what to get depends on your budget. If you have nothing and can get a bass xylophone or 3 soprano xylophones, get the SXs. An overall plan would be, Phase 1: bass xylophone, equal numbers of alto and soprano xylophones, and a few alto glockenspiels. Phase 2: more alto and soprano xylophones, trying to get to a class set. Phase 3: an alto metallophone, a few more glockenspiels, and another bass xylophone. Here is my complete barred instrument list.
What brand of barred Orff instruments is the best?
The best instruments are the industry leaders which include Studio 49, Sonor, and Peripole. Suzuki, Rhythm Band, RBI, and similar are not known for their longevity or sound quality although I’ve used them at times until I could purchase better instruments. This barred instrument buying guide gives more detail.