The Detroit times., 1910-12-19

College, who mas ~ II
lately given much n -.
attention TO the {X%<4 60
question. Ss
While, from an
artistic standpoint, any mechanical
adjunct seems distinctly objection
able. IL is generally admitted that UNI
der certain conditions the music from
an automatic piano has advantage
for use In the public schools the
Improvement which has been made In
these instruments has done much TO
enhance their musical value, SO that
now, despite much opposition, the
consensus of opinion among music
teachers from various parts or the
country seems TO endorse the auto
matte piano. at least as an accom-
PIANIST TO other instruments. Ii Is al
so useful for the marches and other
music required for the physical cul'
ture exercises for the schools.
There has been great increase Ill
the number OF school orChestras over
the country during the past year, anu
they are accomplishing excellent
work In many cases these orches-
tras begin their practice 10 the &C
compartment of the mechanical
piano This gives them a perfection
OF time not always secured even from
skilled musician. Besides It's util-
ity as a part OF the musical study OF
the schools. the automatic piano Is or
educational value because or the
pleasure il gives 10 children who
have little other means OF hearing
good music. AS these instruments
are not in popular favor with boards
of education, who regard them In the
light of Injuries, the schools are pur-
chasing them themselves through the
efforts OF the children. indianapolis
has eight OF these pianos purchased
in this way and in one school the
boys and girls Wed With each other
in selling papers and other articles
and giving the proceeds 10 the self
playing piano fund.
The importance OF popularizing
music with the masses is recognized
and therefore the systematic musical
training in the public schools is each
year becoming more general. Dur
ing the past year a number OF must
cal festivals held in various parts OF
the country have demonstrated the
value of the high school orchestra
and chorus. Full operas of recogniz
ed standing have been creditably pro-
duced, while the youthful students
have shown proficiency in musical
knowledge highly Creditable to a
country where less than Il generation
ago musical education was the excep-
ton rather than the rule in public
school circles.
t., b,i Io
to the utilization of electric force for
the production Of music. During the
past year some New York inventors
have applied some of the principles
of wireless telegraphy to the con-
struction OF new musical instru-
ment. This resembles a mighty pipe
organ in appearance, excepting that
wires are used instead of pipes. At
Il recent demonstration, some difficult
classical compositions were rendered
with a harmony pronounced absolute
ly perfect. A number Of smaller In
struments involving the principles OF
the party line telephone wire are now
being tested In several cities and
some great developments in electrical
music are promised soon.
One inventor has been at work for
years upon a stringed instrument TO
be played by electricity. The result
OF his completed efforts is an instru-
ment resembling large violin which
is called a coracello. Its wire strings
are made TO vibrate by means of cleo
tro-magnetic force 1t was introduc-
ed at a recent music teachers con-
yention in Boston and surprised
everyone by the wonderful purity OF
its tones and their many variations.
A piano keyboard has recently been
made with keys that slant upwards.
A number OF distinguished pianists
have endorsed IL after careful tests.
II has been claimed for some time
that an inclined keyboard would in
volve less strain upon the hands of
the pianist than the fiat one now In
use. A German musician has been
experimenting for several years with
keys which slant downward but
musicians who have tested both, pro-
nounce the American invention more
practical and desirable.
Perhaps no more important use Of
modern invention in musical Develop
ment promises SO much in real value
as the use Of the gramophone 70 re-
cord the human voice. A distinguished
European teacher during the past
year has arranged a course of study
in music from the gramophone after
the same method which has been
found so successful in teaching Ian
guages. While 1t will be some time
before this innovation is likely 10 be-
come generally known, the gramo-
phone is recognized as having import
ant educational value in creating rec
ords which can be preserved for fu-
ture use. With the voice register of
Melba. Patti, or Farrar in actual dem
the music student of the
future will have excellent opportunities
for comparison. There is no doubt
that in the years TO come the collec-
ton OF gramophone records will be as
important to the musical department
of the university or school as is the
reference library to other depart
ments.
American musicians. after years OF
despondency, are now rejoicing over
tho fact that the nation is beginning
10 recognize that there have been, and
are. musical geniuses in this country
The recent death OF Mcdowell is
largely responsible for this. Like
most great geniuses, Mcdowell labor
cd without reward and died in power
~ II was not until after his death
that the Boston symphony orchestra