Dalcroze Eurhythmics

Dalcroze Eurhythmics was devised by Émile Jaques-Dalcroze in the early 1900s. The method utilizes the expression of physical movement and musical rhythms to develop and enhance musicality.

Dalcroze classes teaches music via movement, through music. The method can be used to approach virtually every musical concept through exercises that engage the whole body and mind.

There are three branches of Eurhythmics

 Rhythmics:

Understanding all the elements of the language of music by experiencing them through the body and learning about the basic principles relating to them.

 Ear-training (Kodály in the UK):

Developing skills and knowledge about pitch, intervals, scales, harmony and tonality leading to full comprehension of the building blocks of music and an ability to use these for improvisation.

 Improvisation (vocal, instrumental and in movement):

Developing the ability to express musical concepts, feelings and form through spontaneous creation; being able to initiate movement through sound.

 Together these three aspects lead to an integrated and expressive understanding of the language of music. Dalcroze believed music taught through the tactile, the kinesthetic, the aural and the visual senses.

                                                Dalcroze and the Dancer

Dalcroze not only teaches the dancer about music and structure but also develops listening skills. This enables the dancer to be “in the music” rather than moving alongside it. It provides a clearer understanding of the intrinsic relationship between music and movement and, through Dalcroze training, the dancer can develop movement expression beyond the style in which they have trained or are currently working in.

As well as improving all round musicality Dalcroze improves co-ordination, concentration and other skills needed to be a good performer. This, in turn, increases confidence and the ability to feel music with the whole body, allowing development of auditory memory, communication, expression and creativity.