the music. It is exactly what little children do, when they dance spon-
taneously to the sounds they hear. With the student of eurhythmics,
however, the performance, though generally improvised, must be
deliberate: gesture must be calculated and there must be a conscious
effort to conform to the structure of the music. If that were not so, it
would hardly be worth while growing up, and small children would
really have too many advantages over us.
Thus, to recapitulate, the idea of the Jaques-Dalcroze method is first
to instil into the young the real sensitiveness towards rhythm that
many of them lack, by making them feel musical rhythm in their
bodies, because the body, through its muscular system, is the source
of all movement. In the second place, as this rhythm is of a musical
nature, the real purpose of the Dalcroze method is to teach people to
listen to music and feel it in themselves; the physical exercises should
therefore be accompanied by a serious study of both forms of sol-fa-
dictation and singing. Lastly, by simultaneously bringing into play a
whole range of faculties-concentration, intelligence, mental alert-
ness, sensibility, physical movement-eurhythmics tends to create a
harmonious balance which creates a feeling of joy and fulfilment. When
I add that the Dalcroze method has been adapted for the training of
backward children, the blind, and even deaf mutes, its educational
possibilities will be fully realized.
As regards professional musicians, my personal experience enables
me to say that the practice of this method can do much to help them
acquire a stronger and deeper appreciation of the rhythmic element in
music. An art which is pure spirit is a noble dream. However, I am
convinced that everything that is really alive must also have its physical
side. That is why I consider the study of rhythm as necessary for a
musician as the study of tone values, harmony and counterpoint. And
what could be better than to start with the very foundation of musical
rhythm-bodily movement?
In conclusion, I am only too well aware that I have not done justice
to my subject. The pity is that this task could not be given by the man
who invented eurhythmics, our dear master and friend, Jaques-Dal-
croze, who would have brought to the task that enchanting mixture
of seriousness, conviction, humour and geniality which made him
irresistible.
singke
(singke)
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