Movement in music education is a natural and intuitive pathway to expressing and interpreting musical elements. It allows students to experience learning holistically through an active cycle of experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and acting, fostering a deeper connection to the music. Whether used as an added technique to enhance musicality or simply to express involvement with the music, observing how professional pianists respond physically to similar sounds can provide valuable insights for students. By enabling the learning cycle to include this dynamic interplay, students can truly internalize musical concepts. According to Luis del Barrio in Music and Movement Pedagogy in Basic Education, incorporating movement into lessons opens new channels for understanding music and activating creativity, often integrating storytelling and developing rhythm skills through actions like clapping and expressive movement. This embodied approach to musical comprehension is specifically studied and cultivated in the Grow Zone of the Triquetrae Programme.
Beyond its expressive qualities, the profound physiological benefits of movement to music are also recognized. Research in The origins and function of musical performance by Robin (2023) has shown that movement in response to music increases the presence of endorphins in the brain, creating an effect akin to the calming influence that rocking and stroking has on distressed babies. This study specifically examines the diverse effects on both performers and listeners, clearly demonstrating that movement plays a vital part in holistic music appreciation.
To further bridge physical engagement with musical concepts, the programme incorporates key phrases that encourage kinesthetic understanding of intervals. These include: jump the interval of a fifth, leap the interval of a fourth, span the interval of an octave, reach the interval of a seventh, skip the interval of a third, step the interval of a second, and stretch the interval of a sixth.
The second facet of movement skills pertains to the efficient physical movements required within the music itself, specifically concerning changing hand or body positions on an instrument when needed. This instrumental fluidity is primarily learned through diligent repetition and habituation. To cultivate true confidence and achieve speed, the aim is to execute all such movements instinctively, even with eyes closed. This mastery through habitual practice is a critical skill that is continuously developed and applied across all Triquetrae Music Zones.