Christina Saldivar

Dr. Crosby
Article Summary
Methodology/Theorist

In an article entitled Movement Instruction to Facilitate Beat Competency in

Instrumental Music, Colleen Conway, Herbert Marshall, and Barry Hartz explain Rudolf Labans
concepts. The authors begin by explaining how movement can influence a childs rhythmic
skills. Pertaining to an instrumentalist, movement instruction can possibly influence their ability
to maintain a steady beat as well as subdivide the beat (61).
The authors described Rudolf Laban and how he mainly worked with dancers. His
concepts are used by music teachers along with their students. Flow, weight, space, and time
were the four elements that Laban focused on. The authors explained different instructional
strategies that incorporated Labans for elements. On example of an activity is using a strongimpact movement (marching or patting) contrasted with a light-impact movement (snapping or a
light clap in an upward direction) (63). This is a weight activity and it aides students in feeling a
metrical style.
According to the authors, teachers will be able to view how significantly students can
develop and improve their beat competency by utilizing Labans movement concepts. Some
teachers may be stimulated to practice movement as a natural and valuable means of the music
learning process.
Colleen Conway, Herbert Marshall, and Barry Hartz. (2014). Movement Instruction to Facilitate
Beat Competency in Instrumental Music. Music Educators Journal, 100(3), 61-66.