Audio Library volume 7 “simple meter”

by Françoise Lombard

THE PEDAGOGICAL GUIDE is included
in the purchase of the volume.

It contains explanations and suggestions for the pedagogical development of each musical track.

TRACK 6 EDUCATIONAL CONTENT from the guide

This short two-beat piece highlights the simplicity of binary movements. The number “two” here represents both the number of beats in the measure and the binary division of the beats.

The feel of 2/4 is rather angular and inspires all sorts of actions: clapping a hammer, digging a hole, raking etc. Anatomically, each joint of the body lends itself to a flexion/extension movement (wrist, elbow, knees etc.) or an up/down movement (shoulders) or lateral movement (head).

The sensation of these back-and-forth movements contributes to the development of the body map.

• This piece lends itself to many stories: building a house or maintaining it, for example, where all actions can be performed to 2 beat music:

– sawing wood (horizontal back and forth movement)

– painting a wall (up-down action)

– hammering nails

– sweeping or vacuuming

– cleaning windows

– picking up toys etc.

• Based on the children’s ideas, choose a series of 4 “home” actions of 4 measures each to be memorized, respecting the chosen order. Invent a concluding movement adapted to the cadence which has only 3 measures of 2 beats.

These activities are for ages 4 and up. Even up to age 8, children enjoy exercises with a simple structure, as it gives them room to develop more elaborate ideas in terms of body skills and imagination.

• Other ideas:

– Pass a ball around in a circle.

– In the forest, point to the bird, squirrel, ant …

– In space, point with elbow, eyes, etc.

– 2 circles on the ground: put one foot in one, then the other in the other.

– Bounce the ball on the ground and catch it.

– Also use the 2/4 to move in space a) in a very short back and forth movement; b): walk by bending one leg, then the second step by straightening up (= down-lean-bend) /up-straight; c) find steps. Ex: side step, and bring the other leg back.

– Create a dance: lateral steps, individually / two by two for the cadence.

– Place bricks (cardboard or wood) on the floor about 20 cm apart. Walk the first beat on the brick and the second beat between the bricks (space management). This exercise is equally valid for 3-beat and 4-beat measures (just add the distance of one or two extra steps between the bricks).

These ideas can be done at different ages and should be adapted to the children’s motor skills.

4 years and up

This material is intended to promote the learning of music through body movement, but it does not constitute a professional “music and movement” training. Therefore, its use does not authorise one to use the title of Dalcroze teacher. However, the experimentation of the Library could inspire and motivate a person to pursue a more advanced training of Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics, with the option of obtaining, after several years of study, professional recognition.

Improvisations : Françoise Lombard 
© Les Éditions Adragante, Canada

Recording : Michel Comeau, Northmount Studio, Montreal
Mastering : TrueSound Louis Morneau
Cover photos : David Tucker    © ICDS
Cover photos : Michel Comeau    © Dalcroze Canada
Cover graphic design : Michel Comeau

Most of the pieces in this volume deal with one type of measure at a time. The physical experience of a two-beat measure is very different from that of a measure of three or four beats. The exercises offered are designed to develop a sense of the duration of the measure and the feeling of binary division of the beats, while encouraging students to practice, create, and analyze various rhythms.

Three of the tracks feature changes of meters, in a musical approach that allows for easy and instinctive differentiation through body movement.