Morning journal and courier., 1891-07-01
MIR. ENSIGN,S ADDRESS.
A Paper on the Importance of al
Early Musical Education.

A Paper on the Importance of an
Early Musical Education.
The substance of Professor James L. En-
signs address at the music& convention
yesterday afternoon is as follows:
Early childhood is time of life when every
thing new and novel possesses great attractions.
To q child with musical inclinations- this
includes large majority of children-the desire
to play on some musical instrument Is very
strong. Such child will plod through the
necessary practice from the beginning to a con-
siderable degree advancement without knowing
how the skill was acquired even thinking Of
sary work is often abandoned from lack Of
patient perseverance or from disgust In setting
forth such ideas as have cor1e to my mind do
original but as it has been thought best that this
subject should be discussed on this occasion
will endeavor to be brief as possible and yet
go over the ground as fully as may appear
necessary.
1t would seem to be useless to argue such a
statement this as it is sufficiently understood
that all attachments of the mind or muscle are
best reached by beginning when the mind is plas-
tic and the muscles are supple. Yet there is much
that can be said on this subject in connection
with a musical education that will have a special
application and will be useful and interesting to
My observations will be confined more particu-
larry to instruction the piano. but the applica-
equally connected with other instruments and
smell a andw from p
or theorizing. The latter modes of treating
matters of the mind are often very fascinat-
Jog and appear well on M paper, but are
this idea of theorizing am reminded of the Gus
tom of procuring fine recommendations of new
instruction books from great players or singers
beginner. I would rather have the opinion of an
experienced teacher of beginners as to the mer-
its of new instruction book than Of any great
performer or artist. The quiet, patient teacher
from much experience can judge best what steps
are needful from lesson to lesson to coaduct the
ment whereas the mind of the fine performer is
constantly occupied with ideas far beyond the
reach of younger minds.
1 have been asked by parents a multitude of
times at how early an age child could profita-
bly, begin musical study, and have always sug-
gestedd as early as eight years IL the child
cannot recall a single instance where instruction
has been commenced at that age when it has
proved to have been mistake. l am now teach
ing little girl whe has just completed her tenth
year who began to study at the age Of six. She
now plays much rather difficult music. Though
of course such cases are not frequent, quite q
number have come under my observation.
have also remarked many parents who
have put off the, commencement of their
that they had lost the advantage of the several
sessed very good musical abilities, their hands
were somewhat stiff and it was doubtful if they
eyer entirely overcame this disadvantage. In
Hooker's Physiology several pages are devoted
to an explanation of the way children from their
birth acquire the of their senses and muscles,
success is attained they are not really to be set
at work in regular way. During this earlier
period they slowly learn the use Of their feet.
hands, eyes ears and tongue largely by inita-
ton and with many failures in experiments.
The particular value then of an early COM
mencement it appears to me is, that the mind
and muscles of the age have indicated are just
ready to be set at work before they have formed
to me that such young minds were ready for
any impression, that later they were like hard
ened clay, when it would be difficult to correct
the impressions. will enumerate certain things
which have found useful in guiding me in the
teaching of the young. In New Haven, teachers
which their pupils receive in the public Schools
The first principles and sentiments are under
stood by them After obtaining the proper
BILE to the passing the thumb under the fingers
in scale exercises until correct and smooth
manner and habit is established 1t is not
must be left to the Judgment Of the teacher,
who will adopt different modes for various
pupils pup s. will therefore speak only Of the sub,
their right time. Counting time more or less as
the pupil shows a perception of regular time
much counting, excepting with some difficult
passages that must BIZ worked out by counting
or during fourhand playing This gives the
and also to keep silent measures.
The training of pupils to play without notes is
some valuable set of etudes assisting slow pupils
and holding in check those who learn too easfiy
Thorough practise of all the;technical exercises
to secure correct lingering as well as perfect ex-
ecution.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is very important, and its
value increases we'll every year
Representation movements, velocity, and
the various kinds of time, the major and nnizor
keys, should not be forgotten
The suppleness of the wrist and many other
points must be brought in at their proper place
The habit Of using the strong fingers and neg
lecting the weak should be arrested at an
early period as later it will interfere
with fexlbility and evenness of touch
Thesel technical points have been repeated
so that the main idea may be strengthened and
to show that early training is Indispensable If
complete success is to be secured
In singing the culture of the voice can only be
taken up after a certain age Is reached, but chill
dren can be taught to sing by note and to read
music very considerably at an early age, and
should be instructed as early as possible. I have
always urged the enforcement OF the teaching Of
music as a common branch, on the principle that
the more thoroughly the early mind is educated
the better 1t is. Music is necessary to every So
c1al gathering If every child could be instructed
on some instrument as well as to sing it would be
much better. Music elevates person and gives
a taste Tor the higher arts. will close by ex-
pressing the hope that this our beautiful art NAV
become more and more the favored study of ali
our race, in all ages and in ali Chimes,