Music Teaching Tips

I may safely say, that at least nine out of every ten had never been grounded at all, and even though they had been learning Music for a considerable time, they were totally ignorant of the very elements of it.

Now, this seems very strange in a country where, as in England, Music is so much thought of, and naturally leads to the question: "What is the reason?"

I have been pondering this question for sometime and think it can be answered to this effect; that in almost every single case an inferior and inexperienced teacher has been procured for the beginner. Parents are so apt to say: "So-and-so will be quite sufficient for the beginning, it is not good having expensive lessons for one so young," and there the first mischief is done. The young nursery-governess, or perhaps an elder sister or aunt, even the mother herself, set about teaching the young pupil, although they mostly have no idea of and no experience in teaching; but they can play a few pieces themselves to the apparent delight of a drawing-room audience; why then, should they not be able to teach?

Now I have another grievous point to touch upon, that is the great neglect of the different signs of symbols as the occur in the Music. There are first the accidental sharps and flats or naturals, which many pupils will mind right enough where they first occur, but if that note comes again in the same bar they cannot remember it, because their first teacher used to put the accidentals against the notes in pencil. I have had pieces in my hand where repeated accidentals were put in pencil all over, and also wherever two notes were tied the second one was crossed out. I need not say that I rubbed out these reminders at once, but the harm done cannot be wiped out so quickly