The National tribune., 1883-09-06
LOYAL WON4yN'S WORK
Music al H0me---WhaleS0me Cookery.
Our Experience Meeting, &c.
fc7adre,aa By Kaie B. S,erpooa.l

home and n5thing mere beneficial IN lis effect
upon the health and happiness Of household.
Music is not SIMPLY s recreation, bGt an employ
meut. and whoever has mastered the keys OF a
piano or learned 10 manipulate the strings of a
violin ha Shown talent for application that
viii be foaad very useful TO him in prosecuting
the dDller details Of a work-a-day existence.
In families where music Is cultivated as an art
there is a manifest elevation Of the moral tone
and a steady rise in the atmosphere Of taste.
The restlessaess that possesses those who arc
Thrown up0n their own resources, and yet have
no means Of creating al employment that shall
minister 10 thcir natural cravings. is there un-
known. Trivial games are in no demand. and
that altogether natural device Of getting out
OF the m0aoton0us routine OF existence by the
aid Of sensational books and newspapers is held
in aheyauce before q much more sure and
hopeful plan. Whether you create your own
music or l;sten 70 that which flows from other
lips or hands, ii is restful and soothing; but
particularly is il so when you yourself are the
creator. There really is no more rapid and
certainly no pleasanter way Of curing an aching
head or heart than by losing yourself in a
Beethoven symphony or a simple, pathetic bal
Lac. Try u II You are IN any doubt, and be
sure it is an infallible panacea for human ills.
Music. 10 be effective, must come within the
range Of the producers skill TO accomplish.
To attemps that which is beyond your reach
6tAatS Csi+tN III 4a4lAAb sai0 O3ss&0SttsAs <aLNA
for one 10 take up 2 Chopin waltz on the piano
before his baads are Slailed in the preliminary
exercises, or to attempt an aria from " Trova-
tore while barely able TO carry a simple tune,
argues igneale disaster beforehand. Many a
pianist fails in making pleasant impression
upon an audience by attempting a brilliant
concerto when the exact rendering of some
simple air would excite the deepest sentiments
of the music-loving soul. 1t IS the same ia
singing and there are few but will remember
some faVOrite ballad singer who has been
utterly spoiled because after q few lessons she
chose 10 render wretched opera instead of
trusting 10 the certain effects Of simple mel
odies.
Now, to be en- agreeable singer or player, one
need not be fully up IN all the technique of a
professional musician. The only point is, that
he attempt nothing beyond his reach, and that
what is given be true TO the time and tune
The trouble with most persons is that they
attempt too much. 4 Young lady prosecuting
her stadics is too apt to gauge her progress by
the number of pieces she has taken, rather than
by her proficiency IN any one of them. The
best way is TO cOnIiDe yourself to a few choice
selections and practice them until. as in read
ing, the mind is entirely relieved from effort
IN their production. Remember that even the
great artists-those who have given a lifetime
70 the study Of their art-neVer see the time
when they can do without practice. certain
prilna donna, who studied twelve hours day
for eight years abroad, aud who is electrfying
audiences nightly during the season with her
singing tells us that she has never seen the
day when she felt that she could so On the
stage without a rehearsal even though all her
parts are IS perfectly committed as it is pos
sible to make them. Suppose our young girls
should commit as perfectly a certain number
of pieces aud practice them every day, instead
Of learning q smattering Of this, that and the
other: we would not hear so many silly apolo-
gles when they are called upon, such as " /
never play without notes" Il do not remem-
Der anything without my music,7 and SO on
70 the disgust of every one who knows how
much money has been expended upon them by
anxious parents.
SOULFUL MUSIC.
There is nothing in the whole range of music
rs effective as a noble ballad simply sung. of
which Emma Abbott's singing of Way Down
Upon the sGanee River and Brignoli's Good
bye, Sweetheart, Goodbye" are fitting exam
pies. George Mcdonald. in one of his Scottish
stories, tells ef humble old shoemaker who
on his violin played single tune, The Flow
ers % TIC Forest" with such tender pathos
as TO bring tears 70 every eye And who has
net seen whole roomful of people sit hushed
and tariled while some soulful voice sang
with the heart and the understanding some
PeTcygp
Now, my dear girls Of THE NATIONAL TRrB-
UNE try and make some real use of the grand
privileges which loving fathers and mothers
are giving y0u, and do not take up a new piece
nntli you have committed thoroughly the old.
And always be ready 70 sing or to play when
cali, upon TO do 50, especially for your tired
father or oger-worn and perplexed mother.
You laayl indeed, be a great JOY and comfort
u the boa5e if yoa viii only remember this.
ii you c2n only play one piece or sing one
song, sta, play it, sing it. DO not hesitate
because soiae one Is present who can do more
Simply 20 your best the very effort you make
VIII $Ve you confidence and stimulate you to
doing more.
Select good music, and TO do this you need
not necessarily attempt that which is difficult.
some Of the sweetest symphonies are very
simply written and the same may be said Of
tbs iotiiest songs. Smooth, accurate, even exc
eHtiUh SHOULD be your aim, instead Of rushing
pell-.Aell Over jerky runs and staggering triI!s
VITA q noise that woald wake an Egyptian
mummy into animated protest Remember
always. that noise IS not music, else the scream
o. saliG steam calliope would he preferable
b. 2 siiyeTy Cute.
If a pianist avoid the loud pedal. One of
the best INSTRUCTORS in the United States will
moi allow beginner 10 tCnch the loud pedal,
but insists that the crescendO be formed alto
Ee1ner by Tie force Of the performers hands.
haen a soit sound is required the touch IS
Aeht; when loadcr tone the hands come down
wIih ther fall strength. This is the only true
way OF producing artistic effects upon the
p.&ao.
in singing particularly, remember that noise
is not music. To initiate your lungs and shout
out q soio st the top OF your voice is as much
% iraVcsIy upon singing as q haud-orEau is
upon noble plpe organ, which, under the ma
niPuiatlous Of 4 master hand, glides from the
soltcst treG9lo to The most sonorous diapason.
Cultivate Ia9aGiati0n, clear enunciation. and a
natural rise and f4ll Of the voice, to correspond
with the notes which yOa would strike. Study
expression. aud do not forget that IN the grada-
tlons and inileZioGs Of the human voice
whether IA speaking OF singing, rest Its chiefest
charms.
THAT VILLAGE CHOIR.
] wonder II any reader Of The NATIONAL
TEIBCSE has attended certain village church
we have in mindg There is choir there Of
mixed voices and Very good voices they would
be under SONG guidance Well, that choir
sings four hylnas at every morning service, and
every hy 1nn ISSUING just like every other hymn.
ohe morning, ge remember, the grand old
hymn,
'Ali hail the power Of Jesus' natne.n
was given oat. and they arose and sang If with
al their strength. Il was really very well
done, aud the congregation was fully waEened
up and IN very good mood for the remainder
of the opening exercises, inclnding the sermon,
which came after. But imagine the shock
when at tiae close the minister gave out that
gentle Invocation, which they sang in the same
voice