The herald., 1897-11-14
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American REVIEW, IN the matter VI pti-
mary instruction in music. Mr.. Faction
saws: "The close of this century shows
a remarkable spread of instrumental
music as compared with the situation
one hundred years ago. Pianoforte play
ing especially has become so universal
that hardly house is found in the larger
cities, or among the better classes in the
country, where there is not a piano, and
the fact is apparent that these instru-
ments are in practical use, and that the
younger generation are expected to make
musical study part of their regular ed
ucation.
I'VE are very painstaking in spending
any money on the general education OF
our children, and we notice at once that
on the average, the musical instruction
usually consisting of two lessons week,
consumes almost as much, and some
times more, money during the year than
the entire tuition for that time at pri-
vate school.
Examining the cause Of this high rate
for elementary instruction, we find that,
while at the schools children are taught
the elements of knowledge in classes of
from ten to thirty and more, the primary
music lesson is generally given privately
and has been left too much to musicians
without any training in pedagogics.
THE average musician, however well
or poorly he may play or sing, starts
usually in teaching with hardly any
knowledge of the science and technique
of teaching, and the reputation
Of a teachers standing has hinged
largely upon his ability to give
his pupils correct hand posi-
ton; but such efforts, valuable as they
are, represent only small part of a
sound musical education.
ITO directors of consevatories and pri-
vate teachers of the higher grades it is
of almost daily occurrence that pupils
who have had instruction for years,
whether expensive or inexpensive, are
very deficient in the rudiments. and in
ninety-nine cases out Of one hundred the
pupil, in changing to a higher grade
teacher, is compelled to return to pri-
mary work. AS the prices for good teach
ers have so increased. the tendency to be
satisfied with an incompetent teacher
on account of a lower price is already
widespread and very detrimental to the
musical progress of the community.
"Now, what is there in the elements
of music which requires such eXtraor-
dinary efforts on the part of the teacher
that he has to give his whole attention
to a single child, when the regular school
teacher is able to teach effectively read
ing, writing. arithmetic, and other
branches of common science to whole
class room of children? The elements
of music consist in the development of
rhythmical sense, of the training of the
ear and mind to discriminate the var
ious tones as to pitch. to classify these
tones in the major and minor modes to
recognize the distances between tones
of different pitch occurring simultane-
ously or in succession, the teaching OF
musical notation, the rudiments of form.
the elements of technique. BY the genu-
inc teacher every one of these is much
more easily taught to a whole class than
individually, as the mutual encourage
ment. the concerted working of the class,
the rivalry between the pupils. are very
essential factors in facilitating the
teachers work.
"Such instruction, given by an instruc-
tor possessing the technique and tactics
of a trained pedagogue. will not only be
found infinitely superior and more in
teresting and fascinating to teacher and
pupils alike, but will also solve, in a
most satisfactory way, the economical
side of the question. The teacher who
values his time, say, at 81 per hour will
be able to furnish instruction to each
pupil in a class at twenty-five cents per
hour.
There are only a comparatively few
among the multitude beginning the
study of music in their early days VINO
are entitled to aim at professional
career. These few should be those who
are gifted with special talent, while the
majority of pupils will. later on in life,
appreciate the study of music as an ac-
complishment, and, indeed, one of the
most enjoyable branches of their general
education. The masses should be in pos
session of sound knowledge of the prin-
ciples of music, especially the design of
musical compositions, the faculty to
listen to music intelligently and to read
music at sight, rather than to be drilled
poses such class instruction offers the
true method of teaching. as it gives &c
all the thorough basis of knowledge
which should be acquired. not at the end
but at the beginning of musical educa-
ton"
The Japanese believe that they are ir
this world to enjoy themselves. in a
harmless way, as much as possible. say.
writer in the n. Y. Evening Post
Consequently they do not waste all theil
time in work. but those who can afford
to do So go to the theater in the day
time whenever they feel like it. We
Americans are at the opposite extreme
we take our amusements only late 81
night, after the brain is fatigued by &
long days hard work, and when the
stomach is busy trying to digest heavy
dinner. That is the reason why seriou:
art leads such a precarious life here
and why our entertainments are be
coming more and more trivial ant
trashy. A reaction must come some day
W3hen it does, our operate manager:
may be able to follow the example jus
set in Vienna, of beginning long an(
serious operas early in the evening. a
$50
Sunday concerts are becoming YER,
popular in London. 1t was estimated
that on a recent Sunday evening thu
several performances drew audiences
aggregating nearly 10000 persons. Th'
London Daily News says apropos: Thes'
-~,A., ,.,,