The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-10-07
- 10
!: THE MUSICAL CORNER !
CONDUCTED BY f. A. THOMPSON, Z
Violin Maker and Teacher.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Now that the musical season is about
at hand again after the summer vaca-
ton, the teacher and the student are
preparing to resume their musical du-
ties.
A musicians business runs away from
him in the summer, which should be his
opportunity to take stock of successes
or failures; to decide wherein he can
improve the next season. The true mu-
sican is ever and everywhere mis-
sionary, always striving to elevate the
standard and to uphold the cause of
musical earnestness and purity 1t is
indeed a question how to achieve sue
cess in two lines-making money and
raising the standard. The elements
of the problem are: To make money
you must have many patrons. These
are secured and kept by pleasing and
interesting them in yourself and your
work. To raise the standard you must
give and advise music of a higher rank
and order than that in popular vogue.
In other words you must make interest
ing music that is now comparatively
unnteresting. And must sternly frown
upon the so-called popular music of the
day Can you accomplish these two re-
suits? To some extent, yes There
are persons who will drop when they
find you have stern and unyielding ideas
of musical beauty which do not appeal
to them; but there is another class
which will recognize your ideas. While
this is true there is yet missionary
work to do. You should help to level
up the stratums from below For the
lines of society are loosely drawn and
the ranks of the upper stratum are con-
stantly being augmented by those who
have struggled up from below. You
should help in this process and ii this
has been neglected in the past why not
commence now at the beginning of the
season?
4 few siderations and hints es-
pecially to young teachers may not be
out of place at this time.
BE earnest in your teaching. If you
do not love it, give it up. Never give
music above pupils capacity. Easy
pieces well rendered are better than
difficult pieces poorly played, which do
not advance the pupil but only serve to
discourage him. All marks of express
sion should be carefully explained to a
pupil, since they are the composers di-
rections as to Interpretation. Use dis
cretion in your selection of pieces, eX-
ercises and studies for the pupil.
Never loose temper with dull pupil
Irritability is ii sign of weakness and
creates an unfavorable impression on
the mind of the pupil Be extremely
careful in the selection of pieces for the
pupil Avoid all trashy compositions
and hold steadfast to that which is
good, but give variety. Music of the
masters of grade within the pupils
capacity should take precedence of re-
cent dance music. Make it duty to
cultivate the memory of your pupils SO
that they may be able to play in com
pany when necessary.
When teaching very young children
the lessons should be frequent and short
Three lessons week OF 30 minutes
each is better than less frequent and
lengthy lessons.
Do not reduce your fees with the idea
of cutting out other teachers. a teach
er to be thorough must be up to date
Must be enthusiastic and patient; must
mind his own business and not find
fault with other teachers; must have
tact and good judgment and therefore
must succeed. +. A. I.