Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-17
MUSICAL TRAINING.

The Requisite for Successful Teachers and
Proficient Pupils-Value and Importance
of Parental Aid-Suggestiye Essay by
Prof. Karl Merz.
1t is scarcely too much to say that
music is divine art. Its peculiar home
is in celestial realms. Divine hosanpas
broke forth in angelic strains on the hills
of Bethlehem, announcing the advent Of
the worlds Redeemer. Music is pro-
found science, and exhaustless in its varied
developments. A lifetime, devoted to it's
study cannot fathom all its depth and
possibilities of harmonious symphony, or
its wealth of touching, delicate, soul-sub-
DUNG, elevating and refining pathos. Its
influence puri6es the affections, chastens
the sensibilities of the human soul, and
cannot fail to make its devotees better
men and women, and more graceful and
charming factors in social life. While all
this is true, the many remain in almost en-
tire ignorance of the requirements neces-
sary, to obtain a considerable, or anything
like an accurate knowledge of this beauti-
full science, and it is left only to the few
to appreciate in all its grandeur
the possibilities of high must
eel art. It is a lamentable fact that
the world is full OF incompetent,
superficial teachers of music, mere soio-
lists in the profession. and as conse-
quence, the pupils of such, must forever
remain in the outer ranks of musical at
tainment. Because teacher can manipu-
late the keys of an instrument with facili-
ty, and play lively air, it does not nee
essarily follow that he is possessed of the
clements and acquisitions to make a sue
cessful and accomplished teacher. But
this superficial .cility goes great ways
with those who are themselves uncultivated
in the science, and for that reason thev
are unable to appreciate and com prehend
the requirements and necessities absolute
ly essential to constitute an accom-
pIished and successful music teacher.
Parents in large numbers in select
ing teachers for their children
labor under the d1sadyan.
tage of being themselves uainstructea
in the science, and hence are unable to
properly judge of the proficiency of the
teacher, or the character of his instruction.
Such parents not 1nfrequently interfere
with the work Of the teacher, criticise his
modes, and complain, perhaps, of the
tardy advancement of the pupil. Az we'll
might the track-iayer, criticlse the delicate
mechanism of the engize. A wise parert
will always cooperate with the teache
I.
day school teacher, and not criiicise and
condemn modes of which ne has no proper,
knowledge. This is eminently true, name
ly that nothing deligl is competent mu-
sic teacher more than to have, as pupil,
the child of a parent, who himself, Or her.
self, has some degree of practical musical
culture and experiences. such parent is
capable of judging OF the character of the
teacher, and the quality of his instruction,
and is sure to cooperate with him, in ad-
vancing the pupil in musical studies. On
the other hand it is the parent, Ignorant
of music and the necessities involved in it's
study, who injuriously intermediates with
tue teacher, and emoarrasses the whole
mode Of instruction. The true policy ia to
be sure aud get a competent teacher, at
whatever cost, and then leave the work of
instruction uomolested to him. It is not
the cheapest teacher that is always the
most desirable as al experience shows.
With these Introductory remarks, by
way of preface, we reproduce an arti-
Gle from ''braanard's Musical
World entitled parental Aid,'
which we wish to be regarded as
part of this article, and as summing up
of the matter in hand. It is from the pen
Of Prof. Karl Merz, the accomplished edl-
tor of that invaluable musical journal.
The article is commended to the attentive
consideration of all parents whose child
rem are undergoing course of musical
training. Professor, Merz, a profound
scholar in all musical attaipmeuts speaks
of, from large and full experience, in
knowledge of the subject, and addresses
himself with tender, sympathizing earnest
ness to teacher, parent and pupil. Well
will it be for all interested, if they will give
due heed to his words of experience aid
wisdom.