I.KSSONS IN MUSIC. 





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Wliy each note on the scale should have a particular musical 

 \ve do not know. We can only notice the fact, and 

 make use of it in teaching. There must come to us, along with 

 the actual sound itself, some mental association of the relation- 

 ihiji of interval (indicated by preceding notes) which has been 

 thrown around it. The memory of notes just heard hovers 

 around that which we now hear, and gives it its character. 

 Quick succession approaches in effect to co-existence, as is 

 familiarly shown in reference to the eye by the zoctrope and 

 other optical toys. Thus when once the key is established by 

 the opening notes of the tune, it is still felt to be present, as a 



mental element, with every single note that follows. In a 

 Mtuilur manner, the effect of a given eokur the artist will tell 

 UK is modified by the surrounding ones, or tboe on which the 

 eye baa just rested. This in a deeply interacting subject, and 

 deserves to be well studied and further explored, especially in 

 connection with harmonic combinations and effect* ; and it w 

 to be hoped that something will soon be done in this direc- 

 tion. 



These mental effects of notes in key have often been noticed 

 in books of science. Dr. Calcott refers to them in bis " Musical 

 Grammar." M. Jen de Bornoval, Professor to the Royal Aca- 

 demy of Music, in his " Music Simplified," illustrates them very 

 ingeniously and beautifully. Dr. Bryce introduces them into 

 his " Rational Introduction." It would seem surprising that 

 these interesting facts, so well calculated to aid the pupil, nave 

 been so little used in elementary instruction. It is obvious that 

 the moment a pupil can recognise a certain musical property in 

 any note, he will bo able to produce the note with the greater 

 accuracy and satisfaction. Prom extensive experience we have 

 found that infants and persons with untrained voices are able 

 to appreciate these points, and derive constant pleasure and 

 assistance from the knowledge of them. The teacher will find 

 himself well repaid by a most careful attention to this subject. 

 There is much to be learned in this department of music, even 

 by people who have studied the art for many years. 



EXEBCISE 17. AS OFT IN MY SMITHY. KEY C. M. 138. 

 (The Tune OLD ENGLISH. The Words by the Ecv. Professor PLUMPTBE.) 



