Short Musical Notes by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 25, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 25.

Short Musical Notes.

By Editor

TIME being of prime importance in performing music, various devices have come into use to enable the performer to measure the time with some degree of accuracy. In learning instrumental music the pupil is made to count with regularity until he becomes accustomed to the movement. In vocal music the performer is taught to beat the time by motions of the hand. Indeed, beating is almost the only method by which it is possible to keep a body of performers together, and a leader generally beats the time to both vocal and instrumental performers. As we give these notes for the benefit of church music only, we do not admit of the fiddlers' device of marking time with the motion of the foot. Yet, and we almost groan as we write, there are some so ignorant of the proprieties of the occasion, and of what belongs to good manners, as to stamp the time in sacred or Sabbath-school music.

Time is often represented in the masculine gender. Musical time is a patient old man; good natured to a fault. He will bear any amount of beating, and it agrees with him, but he does not like to be kicked. In this our sympathies are altogether on his side; and when we hear this foot-racket, as we are sometimes compelled to, we wish that musical time, like "Old Father Time" in the Almanacs, were armed with a scythe, that he might turn and put to flight his insolent abusers.

In our travels we have generally called attention to this annoyance when it occurred. But we do not travel much now, and we speak on general principles; not to a few. If you regard musical time as of any value, treat it with common respect. Do not kick it, lest it leave you altogether.