The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-01-30

ent than may be found N plymouth and /,
we might add, there are few whose musical
talent is so poorly organized, and so little
and so poorly used. We do not wish to be
personal when we remark that
much of the singing heard in our churches
is barely passable, and the balance not to be
thought of in connection with harmonious
sounds. This state of fairs is not attribute
bic to lack of musical ability, for there
IS plenty..of it in the tovn,-but to the lack
of proper direction of it. An army of sol
diers, however valorous and well equipped,
would accomplish but little without an able
general TO lead and direct them and con-
gregation or choir of singers will as signally
and as surely fail in every attempt they
make, without a competent person TO in
struct, lead and direct them. Music is sci
ence which requires natural talent, patience,
and perseverance, on the part Of those who
study and practice it. 1t was not designed,
by nature, that every man and every woman
should be a good singer or a good musician,
any more than it was designed that every
man should be an orator, statesman or poet.
Whatever honorable position in life mans
natural abilities best fit him for, in that lie
will succeed with proper direction and effort
on his part Those who have the ability TO
become good singers, or good musicians,
should not permit surrounding circumstan
ces to prevent them from attaining the high
est degree of musical excellence which it is
possible for them to reach. Very little re-
spect would be entertained for preacher
who would regularly preach to congrega-
ton without any previous preparation. Very
few cases would lawyer get who made no
effort to prepare himself to properly present
the cause of his client to the court or jury.
\ school teacher, who makes no effort TO ac-
quaint himself with the duties of the posi-
ton to which, he aspres, will generally find
plenty Of time to inform himself before he
receives permanent employment. Yet men
and women attempt to sing for the amuse-
ment and instruction OF the public, who have
neither the natural or acquired abilities to
sing for their own amusement, unless their
musical desires are easily satisfied But the
number OF those who may become passable
singers is much greater than many suppose.
There ale few male voices that could not
with proper training, be adapted TO bass sing
ing. There are many females whose vo COS,
in an uncultivated state, are not adapted TO
the soprano, or leading part, Of music, who
think they cannot make good singers, and
e.
ff.Ls of such voices, under proper instruc-
ton, could be adopted 20 the mczzo- soprano
or alto pari,-a part entirely neglected in
singing and one which is just
any part of music. The fault OF q great por
ton of those who attempt, but tail, to make
good music, Is net so much their lack of nat
ural ability, as it is their neglect to properly
the science, and thus improve and turn to
pratical account the talents which nature las
provided them with. The common obserya-
tion Of those who are too indJlent 10 learn
how to sing, that they "nevcr could learn"
would be more truthful if changed TO con-
vey the idea that they never made a perse-
ycring, weil-dirccted effort TO learn. We
have known persons to try, al their lives, TO
he singers, and fail; yet, for every one OF
such there arc thousands who could become
singers, yet never try in the right way.
When man sings" in Il choir six months.
or longer, and concludes each piece of music
on the seventh of the scale, while the bal
ance Of the choir sing the eighth, It is safe TO
conclude that singing is not his forte. Such
q conglomeratian Of discordant sounds is not
unfrecucntly heard in our churches. 1t is
not safe for such singers" so-called, to rely
on The uncultivatcd taste Of the public for
immunity from criticism for such musical in
capacity, as there are few whose nerves are
not unsettled by the repetition of discOrdan.
sounds. Many who are unable to "turn a
tune, are nevertheless able TO detect the
more glaring faults Of such singers rs lave
no appreciation of the harmony Of sweet
sounds. 1t is not safe TO say, if the singing
of choir is not very good, the audience do
not know the difference. No amount of in
CdH SIilctEtI TIC
defective harmony of the singers. Neither
choir nor congregational singing can perma-
nently pass for good, unless ii is good. Those
who expect to escape criticism by reason of
the uncultivated taste of !heir hearers, will
find themselves nistak en-; for such are fire.
qucntly the most unsparing critics
We Lave made these remarks for the pur-
pose Of calling attention to a much -neglectcd
subject, and in no spirit Of fault-finding, or
desire to offend the sensiblites of any sing
or. Where we have spoken plainly. the read
or will the more readily understand what we
mean. Something is needed to arouse the
musical portion of community, if they desire
that Plymouth shall not be behind her sister
towns in all that pertains to musical. culture
and appreciation.
Our devil, being "enthusc6 with the