MUSIC EDUCATION

MATERIALS AND
METHODS
PHOEBE JUMALON BASCONES
 THE DALCROZE
APPROACH TO MUSIC
EDUCATION
(Dalcroze Eurhythmics)
What is Eurhythmics?
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.
 Developed by Emil
Jacques Dalcroze, a
Swiss composer, musician and music
educator.

 A system of coordinating physical

movements with music to help the
participant develop a sense of rhythm.

Emile Jaques-Dalcroze believed that every

musician should strive to be sensitive and
expressive, and to express music through
purposeful movement, sound, thought,
feeling, and creativity.
The four basic premises that encapsulate
the Philosophy of Eurhythmics
1. Eurhythmics awakens the physical, aural, and visual images
of music in the mind.
2. Solfège (sight-singing and ear-training), improvisation, and
purposeful movement together work to improve expressive
musicality and enhance intellectual understanding.
3. Music may be experienced through speech, gesture, and
movement. These can likewise be experienced in time, space,
and energy.
4. Humans learn best when learning through multiple senses.
Music should be taught through tactile, the kinesthetic, the
aural, and the visual senses.
 COMPONENTS OF DALCROZE
APPROACH
Rhythmic Solfege
Pitch, scale and tonality through activities emphasizing aural
comprehension and vocal improvisation

Eurhythmics
Teaches rhythm, structure and musical expression

Improvisation
Understanding of form and meaning through spontaneous creation of
movement, voice and instruments
 Orff
Schulwerk
Method
Is a way of teaching children about
music that engages their mind and
body through a mixture of singing,
dancing, acting, and the use of
percussion instruments, such as
xylophones, metallophones, and
glockenspiels, which are known as
the Orff Instrumentarium.
 Developed by Dr. Carl
Heinrich Maria Orff, a
German composer who
is best known for his
cantata Carmina
Burana.
1. The child’s own vocal, instrumental and movement activity provides
the best means of bringing him into early contact with music and
dance.
2. Through working together in large classes and with different
instruments, the sense of ensemble playing and the role of the
trained individual within the group is awakened.
3. The playing of a simple instrument presupposes previous instructions
and practice, develops attentive listening and thus prepares for later
intensive instrumental study.
4. Practice within the realm of elemental music provides experiences,
understanding and insights that are valid for folk and art music of
the past and present.
1. Imitation
2. Exploration
3. Improvisation
4. Composition
 The Suzuki method is a
teaching system developed
by the violinist and educator
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki (1898-
1998). The essentials of the
Suzuki teaching method are
an early beginning, parental
participation, and rote
learning.

… all children can be well educated

- Sin’ichi Suzuki
 COMPONENTS
 Saturation in the musical community
 Emphasis on playing at a very young age
 Using well-trained teachers
 In the beginning, learning music by ear is emphasized over reading written
musical notation.
 Memorization of all solo repertoire is expected
 Music theory and note reading are left to the teacher
 Regular playing in groups
 Retaining and reviewing every piece of music ever learned is also strongly
encouraged
 Frequent public performance makes performing feel like a natural and enjoyable
part of being a musician.
How is Suzuki Method different
from other teaching methods?
 The Suzuki philosophy is grounded in the percept that children can be
educated through environment.
 Suzuki-trained students start at a very young age.
 The Suzuki teacher establishes partnership with the parents.
 Suzuki instruction teaches children to play the instrument before
introducing note-reading
 Suzuki-trained students continuously review previously learned
repertoire
 Suzuki-trained students perform frequently and from memory with
ease