Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-01-09
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Notes
Hints to Laymen
How to Get More
Out of Music
BY ELENA DE SAYN.

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has become more and more matter
of course, much has been done to
assist the layman in acquiring
knowledge. However, such aids as
''how to listen to music analyses of
standard compositions, biographies.
educational radio programs, books
on pedagogy, ETC., are Of no avail if
the belief persists that only those
who possess a working knowledge of
some instrument are musical"
L am not musical is the frequent
regretful remark of an adult who
had not had the advantages Of music
lessons in childhood. but / love
music" he would invariably add.
Should it not follow that he who
loves music is musical If only by
virtue Of that inner urge which
makes him seek it?
| Since music is a natural endow-
ment, those who are receptive to it
are closely linked, even if their pur-
suits are dissimilar. Some may have
only taste. Others have an in
clination for making music, varying
in degree. In a chosen few this in
clination may become an obsession
Needless to say. those who are OBJ
sessed accomplish most. All have
one bond in common-a desire for
better understanding. Hence under
standing of music is the keynote and
the goal OF all musical pursuit.
AS it is not given every one to
attain the perfection of a profess
sional who spent lifetime special
izing, those musically inclined should
first of all seek to improve their I'M
Outstanding. The first step to un-
Outstanding Is to teach oneself to
listen. Those who wish to acquire
a good musical foundation must be
diligent listeners. To accomplish
best results they should follow a
certain routine covering standard
compositions in every form. Repeat
ed hearings of the same work create
familiarity with 1t, exercise analyti-
cal faculties and excite a desire for
comparison. Reading of musical his
tory, articles on music and of musi-
cal biographies is also a great help
to understanding Books give con-
crete information about composer
the period he lived in. which lend
a human touch to his music.
For the benefit of those who love
music, but believe themselves lack
ing in essentials of musical culture.
because they cannot read notes. a
word Of consolation may be ex-
tended that lessons alone, not
backed up by systematic listen
ing, do not contribute to musical
culture to the extent it is gener-
ally believed. They are only the
first faltering steps on the road
to whatever benefits may be de-
rived from it in the future. Parents
who give lessons to their children.
but omit to provide stimulation in
the form of concerts or do not encour-
age their reading. often find them
selves at their wits end when the
child suddenly shows a disinclina-
ton to practice or stops altogether
The secret of a musical edu-
cation lies in listening. study OF
harmony and reading. Without this
lessons will not bring the hoped for
results. Hearing great artists is part
OF the game to spur children on, to
fire their enthusiasm and to give
them an incentive to work harder
They should be made to hear per-
formers on other instruments than
those they themselves play upon
and become acquainted with SYM
phonic and chamber music, oratorio
and opera and should be grounded
IN every musical form.
Where music is not a pastime OF
family circle. the environment is
not conclusive to the study of music.
Parents who make sacrifices to paw
for music lessons should be aware of
1t. Nor should they delude themselves
with the idea that their children can
accomplish something worth while if
they devote only as little as 20
minutes to the instrument or treat
the subject specifically. When we
think of the long hours spent in
schools, colleges. laboratories, in
postgraduate work or in the exer-
else OF some sport, how can we ex-
pect to excel. let alone make the
grade, in music without devoting an
equal amount Of time to it. What
ever one puts into an endeavor, one
generally gets out of it.