Musicians' ability to refine their physical movements directly affects their ability to communicate musically with an audience. A focus on the body is thus an important element of music instruction. The Feldenkrais Method (FM) is a method of somatic education that focuses on teaching the body to move in new ways and with greater efficiency and…

This article offers instrumental directors at all levels some suggestions for the use of movement to facilitate "beat competency". We use the term beat competency to refer to a musician's ability to play with a consistent sense of pulse and balanced subdivision, as well as the eventual ability to bring that sense of pulse to reading…

String educators must find a way to strengthen the development of rhythmic abilities so that their students play with a steady beat and accurate rhythm. Perhaps it is not what they teach their students as much as the sequence of instruction they use to teach them. String educators teach rhythm only as it pertains to the instrument, either through…

Lists the ways that children benefit from movement and dance activities and presents a lesson plan. (SJL)

Music teachers can use folk dance to teach rhythm and meter. One of the richest collections of folk dances in the world comes from the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. A musical approach to folk dance is discussed, and four Balkan dances are described. (RM)

Provides a brief commentary on the values of music education. (Editor)

Described are improvisational activities based on the Orff-Schulwerk teaching technique which include: sound and movement; sound and movement plus visuals; interpretation of designs from nature, architecture, paintings, rotating rondo, singing hands, and moving from words to song. Pictures of children participating in these activities are…

The author suggests that body movements natural to children can be an effective vehicle to help them develop an awareness of form, rhythm, tone color, tempo, and dynamics. She outlines two sets of such movement activities with songs, one for grades K-4, the other for grades 5-8. (Author/SJL)

Focuses on the use of creative movement within the choral rehearsal. Discusses various techniques that can be used to integrate movement into the classroom, such as students mirroring the teacher's gestures, demonstrating phrase shape, unison tapping and clapping, and moving for dynamic contrast. (CMK)

An exploratory music program, scheduled for a month of Saturday mornings for children in kindergarten, is described. The program is intended to provide preservice teaching experiences for college music education students. Classes are action-oriented and include varied experiences in singing, playing instruments, moving to music, listening, and…

The author cites these benefits of music to the visually handicapped student: physiological music activities enhance psychomotor coordination and promote relaxation and the ability to cope with frustration; participation in music events encourages interaction with sighted peers. Organizations providing music instructional materials for the…

Discusses how to teach improvisation, creativity, and movement to beginning music classroom students. Includes background information on teaching each concept and lesson plans to be used with beginning string students. Provides rhythm patterns, exercises, and an assignment used in the lessons. (CMK)

Contends that the Dalcroze method, involving movement (eurhythmics), singing exercises (solfege), and improvisation, open new possibilities for effective instructional techniques in the music. Describes the three aspects of the Dalcroze method and provides examples. Lists six Dalcroze-method teacher education summer programs in the United States.…

Encourages music teachers to take advantage of children's love for movement by channeling it into musical activities. Offers suggestions on integrating movement into the music curriculum. (GG)

Summarizes and provides a historical introduction to the work of Emile Jacques-Dalcroze. A turn-of-the-century educator, musician, and theorist, he developed eurythmics. This was a method of teaching music through movement that is still popular. Discusses basic principles of eurythmics and other methods. (MJP)