The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-09-01
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A Few Thoughts About Music.

A Few Thoughts About MuslC.
A very large majority of musical
people know comparatively little of
he science they profess or practice, /
Tor is it a matter of surprise if we |
consider the superficial views which |
10 generally obtain in regard to it.
What is the usual course taken
when a youth begins to learn mu-
sic?" First, secure a cheap teacher
The idea of paying good price for a
good article is a very good one in
buying a horse or a yard Of flannel,
but not in buying the services of a
teacher. Second, rent an old worn
out piano which cannot possibly be
kept in tune, and if the youth has
voice susceptible Of cultivation it
Then after taking few lessons the
pupil must learn tunes. When
this plan has been pursued for two or
three quarters the pupil is able to
learn by himself. When eight or
twelve months have passed, and the
former lessons are about forgotten,
another teacher is employed Tor, per-
haps, six months, and the musical
education is completed. The pupil
is then able to sing Captain Jinks,"
Walking Down Broadway" and to
perform a variation on Sweet Home"
or Flying Cloud Schottische, but
has no knowledge of music as a
science, and generally not able to
answer the simplest questions con-
corning it. a few, however, employ
good teachers, and with good helps.
expect an hour or two a day,
for two or three years to make of the
pupil a good musician. If gifted
with good natural talent and a correct
ear, the result of the latter course Is.
a fair singer or q medium performer;
| but what more? Is the science I'M
derstood thoroughly? Can one of
ten explain intelligibly the rudi-
ments, so called, Of music, or explain
the principles of thorough base, har
mony or counterpart? Yet when
these are mastered, the study may be
said to have just begun. 1t Is the
experience Of the faithful student
that the field seems TO open wider and
wider, and when the standpoint is
reached, which to the beginner
seemed the goal, it is but the emf
nence from which the broad valley
lies spread out, far as the eye can
pierce, filled with beauties ever new
and fresh. but still 10 Be explored
not in day or year. but during a
whole life.
Music is too generally considered
| but an amusement or pastlme. lis
/ L.
gives pleasure in the hall, makes the
fireside or the social circle more
attractive, and enters largely into our
religious services. But If both per.
formers and listeners had a thorough
musical education, how much more
intelligently would music be rendered
and how much more satisfactorily
would it be listened to. Instead
however, how often are we satisfied
with tame and spiritless perform.
ance In the parlor, and a mockery o!
Gods praise in the sanctuary. -
But we are met with objections to q
thoroughly musical education, such a!
a want Of talent, Of time, or of means
None of these, however, justify {
smattering knowledge of anything
1t Is an old saying, Do aCett, wha
thou doest." So if learned at all, lei
all the steps be learned well, not seek
ing to make a show and glitter with
out real excellence.
The popular notion is, however
much changed from even few year
since. Music is beginning to be laugh
! In our schools, as one Of the regular
studies. This is an excellent step il
the right direction. In our own city
this system is Incorporated In on
public schools, and the instruction
commenced in the primary depart
ment, follows the scholars day by day
and year By year, until they gradual
from the high school. When we lOol
back and see what one year ha
already done, what may we not loQl
for when our present primaries be
come graduates? $3.50.
But | need not enlarge on thi
point. The man or woman who op
poses this system, must be buried to-
deep in the gloom of the dark ages t
ever see the clear sunlight of progress
While, however, we expect mucl
from the youth now growing up, wha
t shall we say to those who have lef
( school and school-days behind them
1t IS, perhaps, with you too late t,
commence at the foundation and rea
an entirely new edifce, but you ma,
: do much to adorn and beautiry tn
: one you already have Do not despai
if you cannot become a Gottschalk,
6 Bassimie, a kellogg or a PaFepa /
possible procure q good teacher, an
! put yourself IN training. Endeavo
: to put soul and life into your voics
!, or instrument. A simple song, sur
with taste and feeling, is often NOR
effective than the most fanciful ari
from a brilliant opera faultiessly ex
cuted, but without life or taste. Yo-
may, also, receive much benefit il
vocal music by practising with others
; either in the choir or Musical Asso
. citation. The chorus strengthens tn
voice, poIfects the time, gives cour
age to the difident, and increases tn
power of reading music readily
! While for many reasons the pTivat
G teacher is preferable to the publ
c one, still the above and other adVan
: tages to be gained by the publ
= teacher and the chorus, cannot bt
: gaiRed elsewhere. This has been tn
experience of the singers who eompos
D the philharmonic Society OF our owr
Q city, organized In October, 1866, wit
:, a few members, and struggling wit
: many obstacles it has been steadil
J pushing onward, until it not only ha
< become a permanent institution. bu
5 is, we think, destined to become on
& of the best Societies of the kind !
! the West Instead, however, of nun
!. bering some fifty members, it shout
!. have twice that number at least. A
& its rules and workings are but littI
;. known outside of the organization, "
n shall, 10 our next article, give som
!. of the leading features, hoping to il
n duee others to join and receive /