What is MusiKinesis?

MusiKinesis is an original approach to the method of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze (often referred to as “Dalcroze Eurhythmics”) as well as a publishing imprint. The three branches of the Dalcroze method – Eurhythmics, Solfege, and Improvisation – integrate body, ear, and mind in a comprehensive music education that works from the inside out.

The method originated in the early 1900s in Europe, and has a range of varying applications today worldwide. The elements, techniques, and principles of the traditional Dalcroze method are maintained in MusiKinesis, and adapted for 21^st-century America.

What Does it Do?

The approach teaches all elements of music in an active, engaging, playful way. For advanced musicians, it brings a new, physical dimension of musical experience to perception and performance. Children learn music in a way they love, developing a strong foundation of skills that improve their abilities in singing and instrumental lessons.

MusiKinesis is More!

More applicable. Today’s American music teachers have different needs, constraints, and goals than those of Jaques-Dalcroze’s era and culture. MusiKinesis makes the principles and techniques of the traditional method as useful as possible with the goal of impacting more of our students. Rather than conforming to one model of skills for teachers, MusiKinesis aims to make the most of each teacher’s skills, enabling them to put the principles to work in their own strongest, most effective way.

More American. The European roots of the Dalcroze method makes some of its aspects difficult to translate. For example, the method uses a fixed-do solfege system, and in many regards, it presupposes background skills that European schools emphasize, but American students often don’t have. MusiKinesis utilizes language and strategies that can work in either fixed or moveable-do systems, and fills in the gap of early eartraining, solfege, and sightsinging for beginning students.

More materials. Jaques-Dalcroze left several volumes of work and many songs, most of which have fallen out of print. MusiKinesis looks to these resources, and also utilizes a fresh batch of new materials. The MusiKinesis books provide a clear, concrete guide with songs from a wide range of sources including old American music readers, songs from around the world, and wholly original ideas.

More contemporary. To remain vital, teaching methods need to recognize and respond to students, adapt to teaching situations, and develop dynamically. Some aspects of Jaques-Dalcroze’s own work aren’t ideally suited to today’s classrooms. For example, many of his children’s songs could seem rather “precious” today; exercises using numbered poses are no longer the newest or best way to develop movement skills and vocabulary; and technology offers an array of new possibilities.

More sound sources. A central feature of the Jaques-Dalcroze method is the teacher’s piano improvisation. This invaluable pedagogical tool is included in the MusiKinesis approach. However, many teachers are less effective at the piano than they could otherwise be, and some – who push carts from room to room – do not even have access to a piano. So MusiKinesis is open to other sounds sources, with specific instruction for using percussion techniques, recorded music, and composed scores, in addition to piano improvisation.

More balanced. MusiKinesis balances concrete structure with creative flexibility. Lessons are designed around specific music concepts, so that experiences, skills and ideas unfold step-by-step in an organic way. This conceptual focus links experiences clearly and directly with aural, theory and performance skills. Activities are bridged and sequenced logically, with plenty of room for students to interact, improvise, create, share, and inspire new paths. The process is designed to be flexible for teachers, with ideas and outlines that are open-ended and useful for a range of content.