Favorite Songs and Hymns For School and Home, page: 0082

450 Of The World's Best Songs And Hymns, With Lyrics & Sheet music for voice & piano.

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	82                           FAVORITE SONGS FOR A WRITER fn a late art journal says: " How many composers in the country, native or foreign born, can, without the aid of an instrument, sit down at their home or while riding in the cars, or while walking along the street, and write out such musical ideas as they may, in inspired moments, conceive; and more, how many Americans can write an acceptable harmony to these melodic ideas either with or without the aid of an instrument ? A composer must be able to realize the effect of chord connection, inversions, suspensions,	SCHOOL AND HOME. sequences, doubling or omitting of notes according to circumstances, progression of individual parts, nature and characteristic peculiarities of the voices or instru�ments to be employed, etc.,�all this in his head clearly, besides a practical conception of the effect of the legaio and staccato, in any kind of phrase or passage in the duophonic, triphonic, tetraphonic, or polyphonic ar�rangements. Then he must be a person of originality, both in melodic and harmonic ideas. The music must be correct in every particular, which means perfection
	In form, phrasing, counterpoint, proper distribution of expression marks, proper marking of the tempos, good taste in the use of any of the embellishments, such as the tirata, direct, inverted or full turn, also the turn after any kind of note or dotted note, the prepared or unprepared trill,spring or mordent, simple or compound appoggiaturas, after-notes and harmonics, and withal an eye for the fitness of things for which the composition is intended, as well as a good knowledge of dramatic effect. Now, sir, I hope that any American who thinks	be can compose according to the above conditions, will quietly set to work for his own satisfaction, and each year compose an overture, sonata, concerto, symphony, song without words, fugue, poetry, and music enough for a half hour's performance. Study harmony at least three months each year at the end of two or more years to revise these pieces, and those which are as good in his estimation as when written to be played over before inti�mate friends; if they are satisfied with them other folks-will be; if not, the compositions should be destroyed.'*