Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-12

or bought under the guidance OF a
teacher, AS not all OF them are alto
Sethcr desirable. II should always be
borne In mind that Schumann pcrma-
hentiy injured his hand as Il result Of
100 strenuous use OF AN implement OF
TINS KIND, and was thereby prevented
from becoming virtuoso pianist. \
practice clavier--which is little more
IMAM silent keyboard--iS sometime
employed by modern teachers. II is
even possible to get small practice
ciaViers OF about II couple of octavcS
in compass that can be readily packed
up ana carried about. but In general
iuil-siZed Keyboard is used. \ music
satchel is Il line gift for student
preferably one that permits the music
TO be carried fiat. Young children not
sufficiently developed in the LEGS to
reach the pedals with ease would got
| much comfort fro man implement now
on sale at reasonable cost designed to
form connecting link between the
rect and the pedals. 4 suitable piano
STOOL Is also 4 @!ti that can be OF great
benefit to STUDENTS. Young children
especially need some support for the
back. rracticing tho piano il a weari-
some business, and everything should
be done to make the unhappy student
as comfortable as possible during this
tiresomc process.
Gifts the Music student Needs.
An Indispensable addition TO the niu-
SIC students equipment is metro
nome. A mctronome is an instrument
that beats time. Many varieties OF
greater or less value are on the mar
ket. but all practical needs can he
! served with the ordinary pyramid
SNAPPED MaelZel mctronomc. costing
from - up. Some OF these arc fitted
out with Il bell, which Indicates tho
hrst beat Of the measure. but this is no.,
Il vital necessity. and AZ a rule students
are happier without IT,
Ihere Is always great temptation
10 give young students new piece
| OF music. or an album Of piece. Such
Gift is not an uniniXed blessing how
ever Children and young folk are
rather apt To despise music that in
TOO easy" on the other hand their
attempts TO play music that is too din
cult invariably result in the formation
Of bad habits which seriously hinder
their future progress. Piano playing
. Is largely matte, OF formin. the
'isht habits Of finger and arm move
'hehi and music teachers devote much
time-espectaliy at the bcg!nnins-in
laying down right foundation II IL
unfortunately just as easy TO form bad
habits as good ones. and these once
formed. arc hard 20 eradicate din, :
cult piece OF music given 10 "a child in
ALI Innocence may easily mean MAN..
extra music lessons and not few
, tears. On the whole. when giving new
music TO young musicians still in the
embryonic stage. IL is better for Santa
Claus 10 consult the music teacher
Chrintmab Gifts for the Nuslc- Rooru
Many musical people keep the piano
and other instruments In Il room spe-
cta!ly devoted to music. Gifts for the
welcome. One Of tho most necessary
articles for such room Is a good music
cabinet Many music cabinets Of all
shapes and sizes and prices are to be
mad but the most satisfactory type is
that which permits the music to be nut
away on its longest edge in alphabet
caliy arranged compartments The rnu-
sic can be filed under the cnrnpoBer's
maine or by title. and is readily Access
sible and easily put away. Pictures
and photographs OF musicians. plaster
casts. plaques buBts OF celebrated
artists or composers. are often most ,c-
ceptable. In the choice Of such pic
lures or busts 1t il well privily to con-
suit the taste Of the proprietor Must
cai people often have strong prejudices
The writer remembers one musician
whose lie was embi,tcred and whose
MUSHROOM became uninhabitable to
MIN because he had 20 find In il
prominent place for photogravure
oil Franz Aot that had been given him
by maiden aunt. from whom he had
financial expectations Abt is an al,
most forgotten composer OF German
inale choruses. and had little appeal for
"A musician who almost ido.ized Chopin
Many Kinda of Music Gifts.
ihose who have reached an advanced
sage OF technique as pianists, vio-
!lhistS. singers or performers of All
xmas. like to have new must, though
III is sometimes difficult 10 know tus,
"hat I" give them. On" is ALWAYS
SAFE however. in falling back on
classics.
Even though these works NAV not
De performed very often. they are
selid additions 10 the musical lbrorv.
New rolls Tor the player pianist max"
spichoid Christmas offerings but here
again the matter Of personal taste en-
terh III largely. In the better class
music rolls there are. broadly speak
inS, three kinds avaiiablc-,inmar
rotS. leaving the player free to evolve
ms own Interpretation; rolls in which
an indication OF the proper internrc-
laion Is given by some pianist Of
standing. and temporiz.d rolls. in
which the speed trallentandos. din,in
ucnt"s, rubatos. etc.) are arbitrarily
made.
Music Books as Gifts
or the making Of books, there is no
end and musical books are especially
plentiful nowadaya These run all
the way up-"r down--from mighty.
reference works. such as Groves Die
uonary of Music and Musicians lin Ave
foiumes), to de luxe Musicians Birth