The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-02-14
ABorr PRACTlCING.

Adult PRAOAiNANG-
I presume one OF the most frequent
complaints music teachers hear from
the parents Of their pupils Is that their
children do not like 70 practice. and do
not practice as much as they tthe parentsl
think they should 1t is quality. and no.
quantity that Is the important thing to
observe in practice. would much prefer
that my pupils practice one hour daily
in a careful. thoughtful way. than two
hours with the mind far away or taking
a vacation. Children shouid never Be
allowed TO practice alone during the nFse
year Of music study. and should have the
supervision OF the teacner or some older
person in the family during the second
year: all this Is necessary in order 70 pro-
tect the formation OF bad habits The
mind OF a child is not retentive. and
thA teachers instructions are easily for
gotten, hence the importance of frequent
lessons. So great teacher and musician
as Or. William Mason has said that IN
his experience OF forty OF nifty years
teaching. he never had pupil come to
him who knew how % practice. ard Mr.
(. W. Perry says that ne did not learn
how 10 practice until he vas thirty years
old So IL seems that thls subject OF
pract!c!ng is no triiins matter. OF course
DR. Mason and Mr Perry mean that
knowing how 20 practice consists in max
ing every minute tell one prolific course
for this dislike OF practice on the part q
pupils. is the condition of the piano.
many parents thinE any kiod OF piano
VIII do 10 practice on. never was there
a greater mistake. ! have been appalled,
at the mlssrab bic. old. worn-out pianos
have found IN the homes % some cf ny
pupils. To practice Oh such instruments
Is very harmful. the ear becomes vitat-
ed wrong IDEAS of tone Color are ac-
quirCd and faulty technic. all this and
more. Is the result or pTactiCing on 4
piano whose action Is worn out~on The
contrary. a fine instrument with a SYM
pathetic. singing tone and responsive ac-
ton IS an Inspiration and are incentive 20
practice \ piano should always Re KEEP,
in tune. four times q year Will keep 4, in
splendid condition. it is cheaper 70 en-
gage a tuner by the year. ard ne should
tune Il. rs have said. four times during
the year. The piano IS a very sensitive.
delicate piece OF mechanism. very suscep-
and regular tuning 81 order % resist the
extremes Of heat. cold and dampness.
when good instrument i purchased and
kept in good condition. it Viii give forth
such delighiful sounds when played upon
thar practice will De source 81 pleasure
and much cf the dislike complained ot
will be eliminated. one can hardly blame
the pupils who contrast the luc ins,Eg-
nents they ind iu their teacher 8 studio
with the one they finG az home. which
is chgonicaliy out of tune. because Il iE 50
worn out u wont respond % the tuners
efforts. when the keys stick. or refuse 10
speak "a al. pedals that are almost USE
less. lost motion. ..ad muny other att
ments due fo old age. or because the
piano was of no account even az It's best.
F. y. Never saye. u t. great thing To
give a child "a sunny background 10 is
life. as Il max ever have "a corridor -
memory. s. picture gaiIery. into which u
may return for refreshneat and sfimnias
Let the practice hogr b. one % tie
beautiful pictures Ia that saliory.
THEREsE RYAN