[Menvi-discuss] Dalcroze Eurhythmics

[Kaiti Shelton]

Hi,

Thanks for posting the article.  I looked it up a few days ago but
from the written description I still don't know what the movements are
really like.  It didn't do a good job of comparing them to other
movement arts like dance... is it like ballet and fluid, or are the
moves more rigid and precise?  Your personal descriptions and
comparrison to tai chi makes a little more sense to me than the
article did.

I guess the main problem is that I don't know if I necessarily want to
be dependent on classmates to get the information.  I'm seeing this
kind of thing happen in other classes in the music department too, and
I'm a little concerned.  I get that I am an educational experience for
others in the classes I'm taking, but I don't know that I want to be
in this particular way where I'm dependent on them in order to
succeed.  There was a big issue with my percussion ped class because
the percussion instructor and I wanted to do individual lessons
instead so that I could have individual attention and learn everything
from him at my own pace, but others were not thrilled with it because
it will take me out of the group and not give other students
experience they could use in the future.  While I am all for educating
others about blindness, I do not necessarily want to do so in this
part of my life with my peers, as I am more concerned with my own
education and getting the information I need than being an educational
opportunity for them in this way.

On 1/5/14, Betsy Heiserman <betsyheiserman at aol.com> wrote:
> Hi Kaiti
>
> I will tell you up front I have neither studied this nor am I visually
> impaired, but your question made me look this up, as I didn't know what it
> was either! I am not always a fan of Wikipedia, but in this case I direct
> you to
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurythmy
>
> the Wikipedia definition is: quote, Eurythmy is an expressive movement art
> originated by Rudolf Steiner in conjunction with Marie von Sivers in the
> early 20th century. Primarily a performance art, it is also used in
> education, especially in Waldorf schools, and as a movement therapy.
> The word eurythmy stems from Greek roots meaning beautiful or harmonious
> rhythm; the term was used by Greek and Roman architects to refer to the
> harmonious proportions of a design or building. end quote
> I really encourage you to explore this article.
>
> So, eurythmy is the concept taught by Dalcroze. He developed a form of
> eurythmy instruction for children, much like Suzuki developed a form of
> music instruction.
> In reading about eurythmy and watching some videos, I am reminded of Tai Chi
> and Qigong as well as interpretive dance, and think that your martial arts
> and dance training will serve you well. There are quite a few (including
> instructional) videos on Youtube but be sure to look for eurythmy not
> eurythmics.
>
> How you receive your instruction I cannot advise, but I encourage you to be
> open-minded and just because you had a comical outcome to student help
> before doesn't mean you will this time if you decide to accept it.
>
> Hope this helps and have fun!
>
> Betsy
>
> On Jan 5, 2014, at 1:13 AM, Kaiti Shelton wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> This semester I will be taking a required course in Dalcroze
>> Eurhythmics.  I have never really taken a class like this before and
>> don't really know what to expect.  I have emailed the professor who
>> also happens to be the chair of the music department, and since I was
>> unsure of what accomodations I might need I asked her to brainstorm
>> about it with me so we could identify potential problems and solutions
>> before the term starts.  She said she thinks I will need to have
>> several "buddies" assigned to help with the movements throughout the
>> class, but I may be able to perform movement responses to music on my
>> own over time, once I grow accustomed to what we do and the limitted
>> space in the room.
>>
>> Part of the issue is that I don't quite know what Eurhythmics is.  I
>> have done several types of dance, karate, plays, and other movement
>> activities before and have managed to do so differently without a peer
>> or group of peers being assigned to step in and be the mediator
>> between me and the instructor.  When I took tap and jazz my mom would
>> record the routines on a video camera and I would practice the moves
>> on my own at home using the tape for reference.  When I did karate I
>> had my instructors show me the movements, and was often used as the
>> example for the class to expedite the process and allow me to jump in
>> right when everyone else did.  I would stay after rehearsal and go
>> through my blocking a few extra times with my directors in plays.
>> Doing little things like that allowed me to do everything that sounds
>> like this independently before.
>>
>> Has anyone ever taken a Dalcroze Eurhythmics course?  Was sighted help
>> required to learn and complete the moves?  I am just a little confused
>> on this because I've found that whenever professors have tried to
>> assign me partners for things like this that it does not go well,
>> especially if the student is trying to do their own work and is asked
>> to help position my hands or show me a position too.  It is
>> understandably very hectic for them to try to do 2 things at once, and
>> often I fall behind or do  not understand the concepts correctly.  (I
>> have a few embarrassing, yet funny in hindsight stories from a sign
>> singing ensemble I participated in last year).
>>
>> Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I want to talk to her more
>> about this, but I think I should have a better idea of what I'm going
>> into and how others have done it before I send another email or make a
>> phone call.
>>
>> --
>> Kaiti
>>
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>


-- 
Kaiti