Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-06-04
"A MUSIC LESSON.
A Few Valuable Hints from Chris
tine Nilsson.

"A mOO1O A1LkJOONs
A Few Valuable Hints from Chris
tine Nilsson.
MI DEAR FRIEND.-It gives me great
pleasure to comply with the wish you
have expressed that 1 should give you
few hints which may help you in
carrying out the musical education and
vocal training of your daughters
should first suggest that unless child
shows some natural aptitude for music,
it seems mistake to devote much
time to the attainment of the art Such
an aptitude generally manifests itself
in early childhood, as when it exits,
the child will evince pleasure and at
tention in listening TO music, and will
try to initiate the sounds it hears. II
successful in this attempt, there can be
no doubt of its being gifted with a
musical ear.
If l had the musical training of a
child, should adopt the system of cali
ing the seven notes constituting the
scale according to their Italian names,
viz: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, 81. and
by striking each one of these notes on
some musical instrument, or singing it
out. Associate at once, from the verv
beginning, the sound of every note
with its proper name, Just as the
alphabet is taught before spelling or
subsequent reading is attempted. Then
the child's eye must get used TO the
five lines forming the staff in the treble
clef, and each note must be taught by
its position on the said staff.
After this, the same process must be
gone through with the bass clef, SO that
in due course of time the study of the
piano-forte may be pursued. But it is.
in my opinion, very great mistake to
teach beginner music by the help of
the keyboard, or clauier. as it is called
in French, of the piano-forte. Such
teaching does not tend to the forma-
lion of musical ear, or help the stu
dent TO read easily at sight, which is
one of the chief objects to be attained
by the musician. The appellation of
the notes, their respective value or du-
ration, the rests. division of time-the
theory of music. in fact, should be well
Taught 1t is work of time and pa
thence, but when thoroughly attained,
is never forgotten, and is indispensable
to the requirement of instrumental and
vocal talent.
!Soifcge. which is the first kind of
singing taught TO children on the con-
finent of Europe, consists in singing
out the notes by their apellation: Do,
Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La. 81. and simultane-
ously beating time with the right hand.
in order TO designate the proper division
of each bar. and mark the rythm, which
is of the utmost importance. The study
Of Solfegc is absolutely indispensable
to vocalist, and ought to be pursued
in childhood, when it is not fatiguing.
1t will thus establish good and solid
foundation to the subsequent vocal
studies. The age at which a girl may
begin to learn singing must depend
upon her health and physical strength,
and also on the natural development of
her voice. Some voices being much
stronger than Others, may be exercised
early in life without injury; such was
PATHS case and mine; but these being
exceptional instances. one can not pre-
sent them rs examples.
From sixteen to eighteen would be
about the average age, when easy ex-
ercises should be taught to the student,
carefully avoiding straining the voice
in any way.
The proper way of drawing breath,
which should be from the diaphragm
or waist, is study in itself; also the
opening of the throat and mouth, in
order TO insure, from the first, good
emission of the sound. Garcia, Bor-
dogni. Randegger and other celebrated
masters in the art of singing, have
written excellent works on the subject,
with clear and practical observations
and instructions, and also exercises
and vocalizes, admirably adapted for
the study of the art they SO thoroughly
understand; nevertheless. students can
not teach themselves singing even
with the best of written methods; and
without the assistance of an expert
enced and capable teacher. directing.
watching and guiding the student. bad
habits are formed which are most diff
cult, and sometimes impossible, to corr
rect.
As there are different kinds of voices.
some being naturally high. such as the
soprano, some low-pitched. as the con-
tralto. or others varying between the
two, more of the mezzo-soprano kind,
it is important that they should be
lal 20 tha,
in order not to force or strain
them, and of this the teacher must
judge and direct the studies of his pu-
pills accordingly II therefore requires
an experienced professor. particularly
at the commencement.
Singing must not be practiced too
long at time. so as to fatigue the
voice. A period of twenty minutes to-
gether is sufficient; but may be repeat
ed twice or three times a day, when
once the pupil has understood how to
practice alone. At first il is better to
be content with the lesson. as wrong
practicing is worse than none. Les
sons, therefore. should be taken fire.
quently in commencement, if rapid i'm
provement is desired; and by degrees
the pupil will be able to practice alone
without running the risk of going
astray. No songs or pieces should be
attempted too soon. Exercises and vo-
calizes on ah according to the French
or Italian pronunciation, and some
times on other vowels. rs the case may
be. should be studied for at least one
gear. before melodies with words are
allowed; the formation of the voice, a
good emission of sound. evenness and
smooth of execution. can not be oh
tanned otherwise. Some voices are
more flexible than others, and this gift
of nature should be carefully cult
waited, for an easy and brilliant exc
cution is one of the great attractions
of the vocal art Florid and elaborate
music. however, ought only to be at
tempted (save for the sake of practice)
by persons who have attained great
finish and perfection in the Fiorifure
style. which. however great the natur-
nj gift, requires much study.
When songs or pieces are taken
into practice, pronunciation or articu-
lation must be a special study, for it Is
most important that words, whatever
may be the language, should be thor
oughly understood by the hearers
Last, but not least, come the phras,ng
and expression, which are Of para
mount importance in singing, and
must be properly applied. or o;hcr-
wise may have quite the contrary ef.
feet to that intended. The proper
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