The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-17
HINTS TO LADY AMATEURS,
How TO play and Sing.


Tt may safely DO asserted that the music per.
formed by musical amateurs affords more pleasure
tothe performers themselves than to anybody else.
Added 70 this, not more than one ont Of every
zen persons TO be met with in society really cares
for or enjoys music. This is the reason why, when
lady is at the piano, most Of her listeners talk
and chatter and the others feel bored.
IL Is hard for the performer who has prlctised
for some weeks over brilliant fantasia % observe
how utterly unappreciated her efforts ar5i but
musical amateurs--at least in large cities-HHs'
learn this fact, that however neatly they play or
sing the majority of their hearers have heard the
same music done much better by professional
performers; and that ordinary parl1r music Is
not enjoyed, but is only endured as a conventional
and unavoidable accomplishment Hosarth, the
well-known musical critic, somewhere gives the
following as his observations on the matter
MISS SMITH FAvoRs THE COMPANY WITH SIC.
A lady In a drawing-roOm, who sits down TO
entertain company with "scena' from an
Italian opera, or brilliant production OF some
fashionable pianist ought to remember that pro-
baby yerybody In the room has heard the same
piece sung by Grisi or Jenny Lind OF played by
fhaIberg or Quicken, and that she is exposing
herself TO an unpleasant comparison by attempt
ing lamey and impercctly what the company
have heard executed with finished excellence;
and this will be the case even though she may
be, for an amateur, q really superior performer.
But the truth h, that not one lady amateur IN
thousand who makes such ambitious attempts
can aequit herself even decently. II she sings, it
Is q thousand 10 one that she strains and forces
her voice out of all tone and tune, and trans
forms the brilliant roulades of the composer into
inarticulate screams; and II she plays, that she
produces mere clatter of unmeauing noise and
confusion. And these enormities are committed
by persons who, combining themselves within the
limits of their own powers and attainments,
might really "discourse most eloquent musc,
and crafty the ears as well touch the feelings
Of their listeners.
music is the most difficult of execution The
very reverse, generally speaking, is the case
Music OF q high order certainly demands high
gifts and attainments on the part of the per,
former But the gifts of nature may be possessed
by the amateur as well as by the professor, ant
the attainment of art may be the result Of mod
crate study and application. A young lady, pos
sessed OF sweet and tunable voice, good ear
intelligence. and feeling, may cultivate music il
its grandest and most beautiful forms, and may
render It's practice source OF the purest ENJOY
ment, not only 10 herself, but to her domestic
Many ladies do this, but they have not beei
fashionably educated. Sense and reason, not tn
prevailing example, have been consulted In the
studies, and the result has made them really a.
complished musicians. In order TO become
every natural gift must be cultivated by solid II
structiOn. The principles OF the art must be we
understood. The rules of harmony aud comp
sition must be studied so far as to. enable q
pupil, II not to compose, to comprehend the d
sign of the composer, and the technical meal
whereby be produces his effect
THE EDUCATED MUSICIAN.
The voice must be strengthened and purihe'
unganly habits must be removed, and disttn
~ utterance and elocutiOn acquired. The min
must be opened, and the taste exalted and refine
by acquaintance with the finest productions
the art-an acquaintance which ought to eXten
from the Oyat0rio of Handel to the nationl
ballad. With the young pianist, similar cours
should be pursued. correct method OF finger
L. ing and the familiarity with the scale in ever
variety of keys, must be impaired ut the outset
and this will give command of the instrumen
quite sufficient for every purpose OF an amateu
performer.
the means of frivolous display. She never com
mits the folly of endeayorng TO rival professiona
artists In the achievement OF tours de force, an
thus exciting ridicule instead OF admiration, an'
causing WEAKNESS instead Of pleasure. She select
her music from every branch of the art. choosing
what she knows TO be suitable to her powers, anC
what taste tells her is intrnsically good ant
beautiful. In such music she may feel, withou
vanity (and hearers may feel so too), that sll
subjects herself to no disparaging contrasts; an
a well-Wounded but modest confidence Will ena
Bile her 70 do justice to her own talents. Such
singer will be at no loss for resources. She wi
find them in the work OF every school 10 Enrop'
not excepting even (when discreetly chosen th
gems of the modern Italian and German stage
She will be able to give power to the inspire
sirains OF Handel, grace the charming melodies
Mozart, and truth and pathos 10 the simplest eff
sion Of the rustic muse of Ireland or Scotland.
sr- We are not 10 suppose, however, that musi
like reading and writing, "comes by nature
Nature supplies the requisite gifts; and whS
these are wanting IL is best not to attempt Il
pursuit What can be more absurd and mo
pitiable than to see an unfortunate victim
q fashion condemned TO scream and thump d
Keys of piano for several miserable hours dali
without voice, ear inclination, or the slighte
hope OF success, while some fue talent that 81
really possesses Is lett wholly neglected VIII
the natural gifts do exist, 1t requires careful al
judicious cultivation to render them product
OF fruit In this fastidious age, even the simple
music demands pure style and nice executiO
and the pre- senee or absence of these will be
parent even in the performance of ballad
"a walt. But much being necessary, Ii is {
more essential that the youthful pupil should
spared what is not necessary and it is anythl
hut necessary 20 lead her 90 seek the gratthcati
0f vanity--and 10 ind nothing but disappoi
ment and moftideasion-by emuatng
mechanical achieSements of professional artist
AT the recent tete for the benefit Of the d.