The Mystery of the Espèce

Introduction Émile Jaques-Dalcroze used the term espèce (French for “species”) to describe all varieties of pitch sets, including dichords, trichords, and heptachords (among others), which outline and define all qualities of seventh chords. To understand the espèces requires a thorough understanding of the do-to-do scales, pitch sets (dyads, trichords, etc.), and the four species of…

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Executive Director’s Letter

Welcome to an exciting new year with Dalcroze USA! Earlier this year, we joined together at our 2024 National Conference in Oberlin, OH, and are embracing the momentum it generated. This fall, as we welcome new members and newly inspired volunteers, I look forward to fresh ideas that will expand the reach and impact of…

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The Spirit of Play Brings Joy

One summer afternoon, I sat on my porch watching some neighborhood children playing. Their mission was to find roly-polies under a rock, and they had to find a way to move the rock to do so. One pretended he was Superman and tried to lift it. Another tried to push it. The third kicked. Each…

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Editor’s Letter

I recently sat down at the piano to noodle. I was having trouble coming up with a topic for an article I was writing, and I hoped that improvising would help the brainstorming process.  As the music set in, I found myself revisiting summer Dalcroze memories. The national conference at the scenic and historic Oberlin…

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