“SLIMY SEMI-TONES”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12455, 25 May 1926, Page 3

“SLIMY SEMI-TONES”

GOOD MUSIC AND BAD ADDRESS BY MR D. E. TAYLER An interesting and instructive address on good and bad music was given by Mr D. E. Tayler, director of music under the Education Department, at Victoria College. A large audience listened to the discourse. “Does it matter if music is bad,” asked Mr Tayler, striking a discord on a piano. “That sounds bad," lie added.. “Possibly you cannot describe it—you feel it is bad. If a man eats a bad egg, it upsets him physically. Bad music may also upset him, but in a different manner. It may have an evil effect on the emotions. Many people," continued the speaker, “are too apt to imagine that the ‘emotional' does not count. But if one can get emotional enjoyment without bringing the ‘intellectual* into it, so much the better." The speaker then illustrated < the ' various effects of music on individuals, and showed how much better soldiers marched to music than without it. Sailors always worked much better when they were chanting their sono;s. Music stimulated people, a» in the case of dancing. When the music was good, one was stimulated more than when it was pooi. THE “SUGAR" TYPE Physical exertions were considerably lessened when there was good rhythm in music. Since music had surh an influence over man then he should choose music that was appropriate to liis needs. Mr Tayler put on a gramophone record (a dance number) which was suggestive of dogs harking. 3 hen he replaced it with a record that was beautiful and had an enchanting rhythm. The first he spoke of as being of the “sugar-type"—gay, catchy, and full of noise, but without any soothing influence or depth of souk 'he second was beautiful and soothing. Then again, there was what iur Tayler called “geometrical” music. This was supplied by bugles. It was pure music, but off little -value, tmc music liberated the imagination, but did not paint. Of course, added .the lecturer, an excess of rliytbm might becomes monotonous just the same as an excess of discord might become lrritant. Next. Mr Tayler dwelt upon the social side of music, especially where children were concerned. Only the best was good enough for children. Good music was often unpopular owing to bad performances. . “How are we to tell what good and what is bad?" be asked. There are several tests, the main one being that of ‘sincerity.’ So long as the impulse that caused a composer to write is genuine, then there must bo some good in the music. One often feels, instinctively, that music is good. There are many ways of telling bad miism. Even a hymn may seem ridiculous if played flippantly. Mr Tayler played a popular piece that was, according to him, “suggestive of a sly wink," smd which, he said, liad an evil effect on the emotions. These cheap tunes, he said, are full of sugary harmony, and “slimy semitones." In conclusion, Mr Tayler once again stressed the fact that children should bo given simple tunes with pure, wholesome words. He .strongly objected to the “cheap, slap-dash trash" heard these days.