The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1911-09-12
A Zrpc4L MN NZLAGE

there is tremendous wealth of Indian music to
be studied and chroniced in permanent FORM
each individual tribe having had from time i'm.
memorial its distinctive songs and chants. A
man who is attempting to compile complete pic
toria record of the Indians has already spent
twenty years in the work and 1t is likely that
as much time will be required IL there is to be
mrrored for the benefit Of future generations the
distinctive music of all the various tribes
Private individuals, musicians scientists, have
from time to time in the past made effort in q
small way to Derpetuate American Indian music
and while they deserve credit for what they
have accomplished 1t is undertaking which
through its sheer magnitude, if for no other
son. needs the resources of the national govern
ment. That it is pre-eminently government func-
ton is likewise attested by the fact that 1t has
promise of success only when prosecuted through
the organized channels of intercourse with the
Indians--channels which enable federal officials
to get into the confidence of the intellectual
of all the various tribes in a degree that
would scarcely be possible except in the case OF
an individual who lived for many years among
the Indians whose secrets he sought
The governmental study and perpetuation of
Indian music is being conducted under the aus
pces OF the Smithsonian Institution and National
Museum at Washington The bureau of Ethnol-
ogy is the particular branch of this great seat
of research which has the Indian music investi-
cation in charge. Probably the most interesting
phase Of the whole undertaking is that which
has to do with the activities of Miss Frances
Densmore. Miss Densmore, who is an accom-
pshed student of music, has spent much time
among the Chippewas and other tribes whose
music is at notable and representative and
has recorded many two hundred songs be-
longing to single tribe.
Oddly enough the photograph has been the
chief of capturing the songs of the for
est There is system of written music among
most of the tribes and the photograph was hit
upon the only possible means of providing
the means OF studying the music carefully and
lesurely AS may be surmsed it anything
but an easy task to induce some of the
perstitous of the red to sing into tho strange
machine OF to induce them to even permit the
recording apparatus to be set up within earshot
of their camp fires when there In progress
those ceremonial rites and dances which call up
the musical lore of the savages.
Finally after much perseverance however. at
Indian agencies and elsewhere the music hunters
have succeeded In making creditable beginning
In securing the priceless photograph records of
Indian music. In the of one or two tribes
he song collection of canned music" Is prac-
Ideally complete After records OF Indian songs
OF music are secured they are transcribed in pi-
score and studied scientifically Meanwhile
the collection OF records will be kept on file for
the benefit Of the musical students OF future
generations who will find It priceless boon to
hear the Indian music as originally rendered
The researches which have been mad show that
Indian music is as complex as is the tribal life
of the original Americans. An accompaniment OF
song Is provided for every public ceremony an
well for every important in tho career OF an
Individual The music Of each ceremony has It's
peculiar rhythm. have also the classes OF songs
which pertain to individual acts such as fasting
and prayer hunting, courtship. the playing OF
games and the facing or defying Of death. An
Indian person thoroughly yersed In Indian