Newbern weekly progress., 1860-01-17
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Papers 0il NKusic.~-NO. XIII.
BY ~. e. NEAvE,
Musical Dsreesof at Salisbury, North carosinu.

\
sketch the ordinary music teachers. by W w!ffch
mean, those who merely teach the principles IN
volved in the readirg or Interpreting OF music
from printed copies. Take, for instance, the piano
teacher :--They generally experiment on young
ladies and Misses at period of their lives when
time is held as comparatively valueiess, and when
their minds are in very plastic condition, very
susceptible of lasting impressions protesting
very modest ambition on their part. and lmpelled
by still more limited expectations and Judgment
on the part of their parents, while the almost en-
tire neglect of the musical education of young
men deprives them of what would, otherwise, be
a most potent stimulus to excel. Hence, the
teacher usually treads in very limited round of
the rudiments of musical rhythm or time. Style,
or the spirit of piece he can impart complete in
every particular, by playing the example tor the
pupil. instruction in the mechanism OF hnger-
ing the instrument with careful constant, earnest
and patient repetition of few simple rules, prac-
tcally illustrated, constitute the MAJ part of his
duties and requrementS-ave very easy vocation for
the mere tyro, but a terrible inhiction on the
gifted musician. breaking down his mind and de-
stroying all musical sentiment within him. AL
though as music stands in this country, this
is often the only eligible mode in which he can
turn his musical talents to profitable account,
either for himself or the people; thus placing him
in the same position in his profession that great
painter would be in his, if compelled for living,
to give lessons in the rudments of drawing; or,
(more palpable stll) as if II. Clay had found that
his great mental and oratorcal powers were OF no
pies of eiocution to a few chubby boys at a mise
rable pittance head Now competent brass
band teacher, besides requiring all the general
qualities of the teacher of piano, &c, must nee
essarily possess in some degree, inherent powers
of melodc composition. The theory Of compost
ton he must be thoroughly and practically con-
versant with, and that OH ground work of an in
innate knowledge of harmony, to which the COM
mon chord, as applied in ordinary psalm tunes, is
but the nitiatory step to the thousands which fol-
low also, the taste (Which only innate genius
and extensive study of the works of masters can
give) which conceives the most varied and efec-
tive species of harmony without once violating
the strict laws which govern the succession of
chords and having always at hand the exhaust
less resources of simple, double anu counter fl-
que; add to this profound knowledge of instru-
mentation, whose judicious adaptations form
vast resource to the inventive and fertile minded.
| need not advert to the many other requirements,
such as a full knowledge of modulation, g., by
the skilfu uses Of which, the most surprising and
magical effects produced; or (for it should be
taken for granted) that it is imperative that he
class professional bands and orchestras. Let it
suffice that to start brass band and advance it to
its proper position in music, all the qualities in
dicated above, would be as nothing If he possess
not full knowledge of, and practical command
over each instrument, (musicians only can know
the extent of meaning conveyed in this). To
have this, he must posses physical as we'll as men
tai vigor; and to enable him 10 give his pupils
easy command over their several instruments, by
which the lungs are developed and strengthened,
rather than impaired ruined, he must possess
a good, practical knowledge of physiology added
to that of the mechanism of producing the scales
of sound on them by tongue, fingers, &C. But
again, having to deal with men of mature, and
otter highly educated minds, already engaged in
the active and responsible duties of life,
quently having but mere shreds of time to devote
to musical studies, the amateur brass band teach
er should be man of fine education; of general
c,l
which he teaches fertile and ready with obvious
illustrations quick to estimate the mental and
physical qualities of each of the band, and to
turn the same to good account in the fabric of the
harmonies he prepares for them; to a fund of OBJ
servatiOn and practical knowledge of men ard
manners, he should unite well disciplined, even
and firm temper. In short, he should be gen.
ternan Gin the proper sense) by nature and edu
cation, earnestly desirous for the advancement of
music and ieaously watchful of COMPROMISING
her responsibility through the levity or inexpe-
rience of his pupils Or their premature admirers,
or through QutbTeaks GP irtegdlarity in himself.
Now when it is taken in connection with all the
foregoing, that ALL music can be played by
brass band, if that body is what it ought to be,
and that every note in every part, has to be pre-
pared IN manuscript form by the teacher, it may
be seen how onerods and endless are the u7isecH
labors Of that person when fully competent and
impelled by the right kind of motives, which
must be a little higher than purely mercenary
ones. But Gas shewn in my last) it is from this
very necessity for preparing music that any
worthless imposter, if he only plays little
each instrument, foist his petty amount of rot
ten trash on those desirous of forming a brass
band; and though it proves disastrous to the
growth Of music, yet passes current for all that
can be done in that line There is no way in
which they can be tested, their ignorance de-
tected IN snail towns until the mischief is done.
The teacher from printed music, on the contra
ry, though less is required of him, must always
be good at least, for he can easily be tested to
great extent by pieces being placed Before him to
render at sight w hich have become fashionable
and are knoacn and in general circulation pieces
purchased by the pupils, which the teacher
must learn them n0tens UOtens: whereas, the Band
teacher If true to his duty, must literally goad on
his pupils. 1t is scarcely possible that amateur
Brass Bands Will ever be excellent until good
music is printed in abundance for their use II.
B. Dodworth, of New York, has commenced a
Music Journal for Brass Bands, which w:ll Be
continued this year QS60) whether it paws him
CT n6t, f is issued in monthly numbers at fif-
teen dollars fol tie year. Each number will con-
tain one large classic piece, and one or two long
first class martial pieces and are arranged that
each piece can be played with from to TWEEN
tJ Instruments; now this price, as compared with
manuscript music, to say nothing of the quality,
is merely nominal, The love of art inspired pro-
ject, eanating it does from the first source in
the world, must be sustained by all who would
music advance in this country. Should it pay
anything at all this year it will likely be contin-
ued on larger scale next year; others will also
be encouraged to embark in like schemes,-until
eventually, sterling music prepared for Brass
Bands will be plenty and as cheap as that for
the Piano, &c, now is $50 mote it be,) Then
would Brass Bands Be plenty and permanent
blessings instead of the few short lived mockeries
they For there are hundreds of mu-
sicians in the United States eminently calculated
to teach and direct fine Brass Bands if they only
had the music prepared for them, but who can
do but little in that field and to do as the present
race of worthless do, who tinker up Brass Bands,
would be too contemplate for them. Suppose