Evening star., 1937-12-15
Forcing Child
To Practice
His Music
Try to Encourage
Youngster if He
Has a Talent.
Ey ANGELO PATRI.

THE bane of the music teachers
lives is the practice work Of their
pupils. Children want to play instru-
ments; they love their music les
sons" but how they hate to sit down
and count and finger over and over
the same phrase until they master it.
He'd be a real musician if he would
only practice. He's made splendid
progress considering his lack OF prac-
tice." Those words almost say them
selves 50 often have the music teach
ers said them. Lack OF interest"
would mean the same thing and come
nearer explaining the children's
hatred Of the practice hour.
We all understand that few of the
children learning how to play musical
instruments are going 10 be musicians
in the professional meaning CT the
term. But many of them could learn
to play well enough to give pleasure
to other people and provide spiritual
repose and enjoyment for themselves
Playing an instrument is a way of
freeing ones spirit of the pressure of
"At. 0fCAybOAS 2CSdo cOllC SuClA
outlet. But children do not know
what you are talking about when you
tell them that All they understand.
is that they have to sit or stand in
one place for certain number of
clock ticks and translate notes on the
paper into notes on their instrument
while the other happy children run
free in the sunshine.
Parents want to do what is best for
the children. They think that learn
ing music will benefit the child. They
find, he can learn and execute his
music lesson. But he hates it. Are
they 10 drop the music? Make the
child practice and continue to learn?
That must be according to the child.
II he is not overworked by school
lessons, If he is well, If he has enough
talent to play passably, why not take
his lessons as he takes any other
training? We make him learn the
names of the States and the 'Presi-
dents and the extraction of the square
root. The practice hour holds no less
meaningful ideas. and certainly no
greater hardship. And the ability
to listen to music understandingly, to
play little, will certainly give him
as much Joy as other accomplishments.
Sometime music lessons are an op-
preston OF the spirit. Then they are
bad. Music should release the spirit.
It is the language Of the soul and
should never be distorted into
punishment. Sometimes a parent re-
members his youthful longing to
create music. He was denied the
privilege, but he determines that his
child shall have 1t at all costs. But
this child has no such desire and no
talent. He is oppressed by the idea.
That will do no good. We cannot give
taste or talent to a child. He
must have 1t in him to begin with or
he will never have it.
To those parents who make great
sacrifices to buy pianos and violins and
pay for lessons for children who cry
and storm and run away at the
mention Of practice time, my word is,
Don't. It isn't worth It," To those
whose children show plainly that they
can play, but hate the discipline which
learning demands, my word is go
ahead. See that they do their stint.
Many children who cry about prac-
tice hour will do nicely if they can
practice IN group or play with an
orchestra That is the best plan for
music teachers to follow. Musicians
need audiences, and a group of chill
dren learning together will have much
more interest, much more desire to
play than they possibly can have as
individuals. g..
Mr.. Patri will give personal atten-
don to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and de-
yelopment Of children. Write him in
care Of this paper, inclosing three
cent stamped, self-addressed envelope
for reply.