Introduction, Goals and Curriculum

DALCROZE EURHYTHMICS

Eurhythmics is a creative approach to the study of music, rhythm and movement based on the principles of Emile Jacques Dalcroze (1865-1950), a Swiss musician and educator. The teaching method develops a feeling for an awareness of music through body movement. Using the body as a musical instrument in the interpretation of sounds and concepts, children will develop musical understanding. Dalcroze believed that childhood is a time of improvisation, spontaneity, and much creativity. His approach integrates kinesthetic, tactile, aural, and visual sense. Beginning at a young age is vital to the success of this approach.

Principles of Dalcroze Philosophy*:

1. Music is the Teacher

2. The body is the instrument

3. Musical feeling and understanding develop through movement

4. The body does and the brain remembers

Music and movement are some of the best tools we have in early childhood education. Children have a natural desire to move and make music and by letting the children express themselves in these ways we can use both of these components as a means of learning.

Children will develop:

• Coordination, concentration, and self confidence

• Understanding of the fundamentals of music

• Knowledge and understanding of musical terminology

• Confidence in their singing voice

• Age appropriate social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills

• Empathic awareness of classmates and ability to work as a group

• An appreciation of music and a positive experience in active music making

Parent will develop:

• Confidence in their own musical abilities and feel secure when singing or interacting musically with their child

• Strong observation skills of their child’s abilities

• Recognize and celebrate accomplishments

• Strategies to encourage their child to take risks

• Strategies to assist their child to manage their expectations and emotions in a group environment

*Adapted from Mean, Carolyn. "Dalcroze Education: An Experiential Way of Knowing Music Through the Body," American Suzuki Journal (2018): 31-2.

Habits of listening are developed by children in the process of identifying what they hear with what they do. Listening exercises increase children's concentration power and their ability to make musical analysis is developed.

Classes are carefully planned so that the potential abilities of the individual child will be developed as much as possible. This includes independence, self-confidence, concentration, imagination, coordination, co-operation, and self- expression.

Parents are encouraged to gradually move away from their child during the year to transition to independent instruction. At this point, parents are able to enhance their skills of observation.

I hear - I forget

I see - I remember

I do - I understand

MUSICAL CONCEPTS

• Tempo: Fast, Slow, Moderato, Accelerando, Ritardando

• Dynamics: Loud, Soft, sudden change in dynamics, Crescendo, Diminuendo, Transfer experiences to instruments

• Form: Kinesthetic recognition of phrasing, graphic illustration of phrasing, Like and unlike phrases

• Rhythm: Recurring beat, quarter note, eighth note, clapping beat and rhythm, tapping beat, walking beat, ostinato patterns

• Melody: Finding singing voice, pitch matching, call and response, distinguishing between high/low, heavy/light, sound, illustration of sound through body movement

MUSICAL TERMS

• Presto/Largo

• Accelerando/ Ritardando

• Piano/Forte

• Crescendo/Diminuendo

• Light/Heavy

• Legato/Staccato

• Beat

• Rhythm

• Ostinato

• Form

• Rest

• Ready Position