Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-02-23

The one thing above all others,
that has been the target of the
critics for years, is the singing or
playing off pitch by singers and
Violinists. This one shortcoming in
an artist, the critic cannot overlook,
because true pitch is the very first
essential necessary to the artist who
has to create both pitch and tone.
lt is not our business here to dis
cuss the scientific meaning of pitch,
defined as the rate of vibration, or
the acutoness or gravity of any par
ticular sound The average music
listener is not concerned with the
scientific analysis of pitch, but is in
terested in melodies and harmonies
sounding in tune.
Singing off the pitch is traceable
to two causes. and two only,-in-
correct musical ear, and lack of vi
tality. Playing the violin off pitch
is due almost entirely to faulty mu-
sical ear; although occasional lapses
are sometimes due to lack of per-
feet technique. We are speaking
now of professional or public per-
formers and not students.
The piano artist will not perform
on a piano until it has been thor
oughly tuned,-that is-put on the
pitch for him. He has an artistic
and sure stroke and strikes the keys
in such a manner that the best pos
sible tone is secured, but he had
nothing to do with the pitch. The
piano tuner did that. In Chicago, a
lady brought her niece to me, for
voice trial, and wanted a frank
opinion as to whether the young lady
had singing possibilities. If 1 told
the guardian that the niece had
neither voice nor talent, / might be
stepping on the neck of dear Aunt
les Judgment; and if l told her that
Angelina had a wonderful voice and
great talent,-which she did net pos
sess at ALL would have been STRAIT
ed later, so in a moment of great
inspiration, ] became one of the
worlds foremost diplomats, CAL
though the world does not know it)
/ advised Auntie to let Angelina take
piano lessons. l have not vet seen
her name in print or on electric
signs in front of concert halls. Now,
Angelina's voice wasn't so bad, but
it was not on speaking terms with
the pitch.
An Unhappy End
Possibly she came to the same
unhappy end as the man in the fol-
lowing story--a lady belonging to Il
church in Massachusetts went to her
pastor with the complaint that the
unmelodious singing of the man in
the pew in front of her was posi-
lively unbearable; that his voice
was harsh and that he had no idea
'of a tune. Cant you ask him to
change his pew" she asked the
pastor. The kindly pastor was sore
ly perpleXed, after n few moments
reflection, he said, well, I natur-
ally would feel a little delicate on
that score, especially as 1 should
have to tell him why I asked it.
But, I'll tell you what I might do"
Here his face became illuminated
by a happy thought. II might ask
him to join the choir"
OF Tremendous Importance
Not everybody appreciates the
value of correct pitch. 1t is of tre-
mendous Importance. People who
allow their pianos to become Woe
fully out of tune, and who can sit
and play on this same piano by the
hour, will make a heap of unpleas-
ant conversation if they hear even
an amateur sing a single phrase
out of tune. Many people sing off
pitch that do not themselves sus-
pect it. A, good voice does not ne