Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-17
DIPLOMAS WANTED.
A Great Many Inferior Music Teach
ers in the Two Cities.
THEY OFTEN RUIN PUPILS TALENT
Local Musicians Consider the Scheme
Impracticable.
DIFFERENT IDEAS ON THE SUBJECT

There are scores of music teachers in
Pittsburg and Allegheny, and there is
probably no other profession so greatly
overstocked in the two cities, But it ap-
pears that there is no profession in which
there are so many people who have merely
fallen" into it as a means of getting a
living and often very poor one at that.
Many people who have started their chill
dren to learn music from an incompetent
teacher, now complain that their talent is
ruined.
Many musicians have often discussed the
idea of diplomas for music teachers, SO that
one may know just who he is employing to
give instructions to his children. Some say
it would be impossible to supply the de-
mand for teachers if this would become the
rule. Still those without diplomas could be
employed by persons who were not particu-
lar as to the class of instructions received.
MERELY GUARANTEE.
A diploma, or certificate given by
school OF music or we'll known instructor
would be merely guarantee that the per-
son presenting it is a musical instructor of
ability. A DISPATCH representative Wis
ited number of the leading musicians yes
terdsy on the subject and all seemed to
consider the diploma idea an impossibility
though they can see the ill effects of any
body and everybody teaching music. Prof.
Rohbock said:
"The different wavs of teaching are mani
fold, and often find it very difficult to
teach pupils who have had instructions
from Indifferent teachers. 1 had one case
not long ago of young lady who had been
ia inc Tnucin 1occnpc fnr nuifa 1opo, fi,,a
She came to me, and when she began to play
she struck the keys with ridiculous force. 1
stopped her at once, and upon asking her
why she did so, was amazed to learn that
one of the leading teachers of Pittsburg had
taught her that it was the proper way to
play. I told her could not give her in
structions, as I feared would never be able
to break her OF humping the keys so viciously.
However, l thought better of it, and am now
giving her instructions and she is doing much
better.
TEACHERS WITHOUT INSPIRATION.
There are some people giving music lessons
who really can't impart the proper knowledge
to their pupils. They have no inspiration.
Music comes from heaven, ard there is no
thunder or loud noises in heaven. But there
are SO many Indifferent teachers that it is i'm
possible that all should take lessons from the
best. have number of young ladies taking
music from me who are teaching One is a
lady who supports family. and while she can
not give the best instructions, she must live
and has no other means of making livelihood
"A number of young ladies who take lessons
from me do SO with the intention of becoming
teachers. When they are far enough advanced
they begin their work and ask for certificate
l am always glad to give them a certificate if
their wor warrants it. Only short time ago
a young lady asked for one, and was CON-
PEELED to refuse it,"
H. Kleber, of Kleber Bros, was also called
upon and in the course of a talk he said:
There are great number of teachers who
are inferior but the leading tutors will not take
a pupil unless the rudiments of the art have
already been learned. For this reason there is
! need for the teachers of all grades. 1 don't |
think the beginning has much to do with the |
future abilities Of the pupil. Most anyone |
ian teach the first few lessons After that |
more advanced teacher will be needed.
INSTRUCTORS ARE IMPROVING.
Notwithstanding all talk regarding the in |
eriorfty Of music teachers of to-day, we find |
hat the instructors are improving and it is
was a few years ago."
Samuel Hamilton. the music dealer does not
avor the diploma system for music teachers
or various reasons. He says: IL can't see
hat diplomas would help the question at ALL |
his country where diplomas are given, but the |
eachers who come from these institutions are |
Tot usually better than those who receive
private instruction. They do not have enough
lime to devote to the individual pupils. The |
eading instructors in the country are those
Who have studied under the old European
masters.
There is demand for cheap musical in
truction in this country that must be supplied
There are great many people who can not
ford to pay big prices for instruction for
heir children. The workingman's boy can
AXE few lessons from a cheap instructor and
he feels like going further he can have better
Instruction after awhile This furnishes en-
loyment for great number of young ladies |
I |
1hy their means of living should be taken from
hemn |