The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-03

Piano teaching is so entirely different from what it used to be that unless one | is familiar with the methods 1t seems like so much Greek
 The old-fashioned idea of five-inger ex- ercises, scales and arpeggios, with an occasional piece" to show off before company, is now relegated to the shades of retirement, while the silent keyboard blocks charts and ear training have taken the place of the cruder methods, and form most interesting progression in music, the knowledge of which is delightful. Perhaps the first of the new thought ideas in piano teaching originated with Mrs. Evelyn Fletcher-Copp, whose meth | cd has proven so successful that it is now in use not only all over this coun- try, but in the conservatories abroad, all of which pronounce it excellent. | Knowing that Mrs. J. S. Bridges was the exponent of this system of piano in struction in Birmingham, l eagerly ae- cepted an invitation recently to see its results demonstrated by one of her classes of little tots who are nothing short of marvellous in the remarkable way they have learned the fundamental prin- l ciples of music and the practical way in which they are applied.
 A score of tiny boys and girls had | gathered for the occasion and Mrs Bridges and her able assistant, Miss Mar Warren Yancey, cordially welcomed us to the cozy studio where a beautiful 1 Mason & Hamln grand stood ready for the little folks to play on, while the charts, maps. blocks and blackboard were arranged for the demonstration. In chatting with Mrs. Bridges about the work the question was asked in just what way the Fletcher-Copp method was distinguished from others, to which she replied:
 asY .l eu4 r,,.a. +ho orioyipator of the system Is thorough musician. One of the most excellent who has ever been in this country, and she has made 1t a lifework After studying here, Mrs. Copp went abroad pursuing her studies under such well-known masters as pr. Hugo | Riemann Oscar Brucker QAammer Vir- tuosdD, Herr Albert Fuchs, Wilhelm Sad ony, Henriette Schmidt and Dr. Orland Mansfield, always with the idea in view that there could be established sim plifed and modernized method of piano | instruction. After creating this method Mrs Copp returned to Europe and intro | duced it into the conservatories III Ser lin, Leipsic, Dresden, London and Brus- sels and so great is the demand TOT her work that she goes abroad every year and teaches normal classes in the great musical centers."
 And what is the main point of differ ence in the Fletcher-Copp method ana the others?' l asked.
 arhe motto of the Fletcher-Copp meth od." replied Mrs, Bridges, 'is that the teacher should always be the most eager student and that the simplified ldeas ol teaching time, rhythm and the luiua mental principles of music give the child a systematic and logical education In music in a way that is natural and pleas ureable. and thus makes 1t possible TOT music to develop the child mentally phys ically and 'artistically."
 what is the proper age for child to take up the study of music accorolns to the Fletcher-Copp method?' I inquired.
 ..T-he method is applicable for pupils or any age and actual use and public dem onstration have proved that at the end of il very short time a child is able to read music, Is perfectly familiar wlth the keyboard, scales, chords, intervals time' rhythm: can play in any Key ana mas systematically memorized many htlie compositions" said she.
 "It seems to me that it would engender and develop a love of music that the obsolete methods never could,' l sug- gested.
 Exactly" said Mrs. Bridges quickly. You see the natural love of music has not been forced out of the child's heart by this system because 1t is interesting to the childish mind, which grows and de- yelopes with the gaining of knowledge. while his ear has been so trained and his power to express himself and his own thoughts in music so developed that his pleasure and freedom in the art robs It Of all drudgery. and the practice of music instead of being burden becomes nat ura delight"
 "Is the method used for any other in-