TEACHING MUSIC

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 11

TEACHING MUSIC

Importance Of Ear Tests

Not enough importance was attached in New Zealand to ear tests, and the development of rhythm and pitch, the basic essentials of music, in young people, three examiners of the Royal Schools of Music agreed at an informal gathering of teachers and pupils. The examiners were Dr. Sydney Northcote, Mr Cornelius Fisher and Mr Malcolm Boyle. “So many children I examined here, found it difficult to pitch their voices to a certain note,” said Dr. Northcote. This overlooking of a basic principle was an aspect of music teaching in New Zealand that puzzled him. It was often thought that teachers who took the youngest age groups were not important. This was not so. It was on their work that more advanced development was built. Music, like language, was only learned at the mother’s knee. Children learned to express their thoughts in language that came from within. It was not a conscious process, he said.

From Within

The sense of pitch and rhythm was in the children. It could not be taught; it came from within, but pupils must be taught from the earliest stage to develop it. “If they can't express pitch and tone, they are only half musicians.” he said.

The vast majority of children today got music from a machine, not from people. Unless they could respond with something from within themseleves, this was a very artificial process. “It all starts from within,” he said. Aural tests are perhaps the most important part of music training. If a pupil hasn’t an acute, sensitive end intelligent ear, he may as well give up. Aural work is a fundamental of basic teaching,” said Dr. Northcote. Agreeing with Dr. Northcote, Mr Boyle added that he had found that not enough importance was attached to other aspects, such as scales and sight reading. In particular the scale work in the higher grades should be pepped up. They should be rhythmic, and have a firm touch and clarity. "If scales are not up to standard the candidate can’t cope with pieces to the best advantage.” he said. A musical interpretation of his colleagues’ comments was given by Mr Fisher.