Arizona republican., 1917-07-01
Official ORGAN
State Federation
W@aaam'g Clubs

In the June issue of the Musician
appeared an article of exceptional
worth by Mrs Henry D. Ross former |
president of the Arizona Federation of
Womens clubs and an active member
of the Musicians club and Womans
club of this city. The article. replete
with interesting facts follows:
A Rock Foundation
BY Margaret Wheeler Ross
l wish that it were possible for some
kind fairy godmother to ascend the
highest peak in the country, and pro-
claim in tones that would reach every
beginning music student the doctrine
of a rock foundation; that she might
shout a warning against the cheap,
inexperienced teacher to begin with,
and yet a louder protest against I'M
due haste in the early stages
Honestly and conscientiously, and
with wisdom born of bitter expert
ence, | would urge all beginners to
Iinger long over interval making and
scale construction; to spend hours in
ear training; and to avoid, as they
would a dangerous enemy, that in
sidious foe to later music proficiency,
namely, playing difficult music before
the muscles and mind are prepared
for it.
When the wise man is ready to build
a structure he first plans good foun-
dation. The student who sets out to
build music career should plan as
iudiciously. The temptation to adj
vance quickly is strong, it's influence
is subtle and unconscious, and many
become victims through ignorance of
basic laws. Inscriptions teachers
will urge the brilliant and talented
student toward quick showing for
mercenary means, or to advertise their
methods and increase their classes and
thus many a promising career is
wrecked by the over ambitious, ignor-
ant, or money seeking instructor.
The result of such Ill directed peda-
gogy is proved by the vast army of
poorly equipped musicians everywhere
to be found. The singer with the
splendid physique and satisfactory
voice is deficient in the first princi-
pies OF sight reading, interval forma-
ton, or tempt; the truly temperament
al pianist is lacking in the elementary
knowledge of key relationship and
chord construction. The true listening
ear-the salvation of piano playing
and the only thing that makes il worth
never been trained, and failure comes
only too frequently after years of hard
work.
The teacher whose standing is Sc
cure, whose reputation has been estap.
hshed by long service is not afraid to
hold pupils to slow, careful, simple
work at the beginning; therefore it is
wiser TO employ such one, even if the
expense is greater at the start
Inc playing of music far in advance
OF ones mechanical development is
most disastrous in its results. One is
almost certain to become a bunglir 2
stumbling performer, if this sort oj
thing is done, and the singer who es-
says to run ahead of himself will he
come stiff in the throat and set in the
Jaw, and the tone will be hard and
lose Its carrying power. The effort OF
DONG the thing beyond one physically
always reacts to ones DISADVANTAGE
NOT TO strive onward would be folly
ana II we did not push ourselves anG
LEY thlnSs out occasionally we would
never know our strength But do II
wisely under careful guidance. anf
never hasten Few persons have thu
patience TO do ground work, wher
they've been looking out of four Of
oAJ NlhuoWS, therefore the wis,
STUDENT Will be satisfied with a slow
caIeIul beginning, and will never in.
slst upon rapid advancement
The annual year book of the Ari.
iona Federation of Womens clubs ha,
Just been received from the printer,
ana 1t a credit to the committee hav.
ing the work in charge. 1t holds ;
fund of information for the clul
woman and should be on file in ever,
club in the state.
It gives on its first page the prin
elples for a Woman's club:
Justice to all.
Courtesy to ALL
one thing at d time
The rule of the majority.
Ihe rights of the minority,
and follows this with narc of e,,q