Eurhythmics

Eurhythmics, also known as Dalcroze Eurhythmics, is a method of music education that uses movement to teach rhythm, tempo, meter, melody, and musical expression. The approach treats the body as a primary instrument and aims to develop an internal sense of time and musical structure.

It was developed by Swiss musician Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865–1950) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at the Geneva Conservatoire. Dalcroze believed that physical movement could reveal and cultivate rhythmic understanding more effectively than conventional notation and rote memorization.

Core components include eurhythmic movement, ear training through solfège, and improvisation. Lessons combine movement with piano or voice, often through group time, solo exercises, and improvisatory exploration of rhythm, melody, and harmony. The method emphasizes holistic integration of body, voice, and ear.

Implementation and influence: Dalcroze Eurhythmics is taught in conservatories, universities, and schools worldwide, with formal teacher training and established curricula. It is widely used in early childhood education, music pedagogy for general education, and programs that connect music with dance and expressive movement.

Not to be confused with the 1980s pop duo Eurythmics.