Archive for category Music Education
The Dalcroze System of Musical Education Still Has Validity to Day
Posted by in Music Education on October 1, 2011
I realize that the majority of my readers on seeing the word “eurhythmics” will think of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart of the famous pop group of the same name. My reference point, however, is the same as Annie Lennox who named the group after the movement technique she learnt in school.
Expressed succinctly eurhythmics (also spelt eurhthmics) can be defined as “harmonious bodily movement as a form of artistic expression – specifically, the Dalcroze system of musical education in which bodily movements are used to represent musical rhythms.”
Eurhythmics was developed around 1905 by a Swiss musician called Emile Jaques Dalcroze. He was a Professor of Harmony at the Geneva Conservatory. He felt that the conventional way of training professional musicians was very unsatisfactory. He was looking for a way to improve his students musical abilities through increasing their sensitivity to rhythm and through this he hoped to enable them to bring deeper personal interpretations to the music they played. He believed that this would enable students to experience music at a more visceral level. Read the rest of this entry »
Music Education for Parents: Musical Learning for Babies
Posted by in Music Education on August 28, 2011
When there is an expectant mother in the family, everybody spends those nine months in learning all about parenting and preparing for the new arrival in the family. But have you ever thought about the role of musical learning in helping the newborn develop to its full potential in life?
We adults feel so proud of our child when he exhibits his talents throughout his formative years. Why not consider teaching him music, the timeless art form that brings so much of joy! Your child need not have to become a great musician to tap its great benefits. Musical learning helps children enhance the quality of their life. Its effect on development of the brain is well documented and can be found in innumerable books and articles.
Trust me, dear moms and dads, you can give all these benefits to your child by providing him with musical learning. Even if you don’t have an ear for music, it does not mean that your child will not. The important thing is to let him learn and play music and find his place among the successful people in school and work! Read the rest of this entry »