Advice to Young Musicians. Musikalische Haus- und Lebens-Regeln   By: Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

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ADVICE

TO YOUNG MUSICIANS,

TRANSLATED BY

HENRY HUGO PIERSON.

LEIPSIC & NEW YORK.

J. SCHUBERTH & CO.

LONDON,

ENT. ST. HALL. EWER & CO.

(This work is copyright.)

Entered according to act of congress AD. 1860 by J. SCHUBERTH & CO. in the clerks office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York.

The cultivation of the Ear is of the greatest importance. Endeavour early to distinguish each several tone and key. Find out the exact notes sounded by the bell, the glass, the cuckoo, etc.

Practise frequently the scale and other finger exercises; but this alone is not sufficient. There are many people who think to obtain grand results in this way, and who up to a mature age spend many hours daily in mechanical labour. That is about the same, as if we tried every day to pronounce the alphabet with greater volubility! You can employ your time more usefully.

There are such things as mute pianoforte keyboards; try them for a while, and you will discover that they are useless. Dumb people cannot teach us to speak.

Play strictly in time ! The playing of many a virtuoso resembles the walk of an intoxicated person. Do not take such as your model.

Learn betimes the fundamental principles of Harmony.

Do not be afraid of the words Theory, Thoroughbass, Counterpoint, etc.; you will understand their full meaning in due time.

Never jingle! Play always with energy and do not leave a piece unfinished.

You may play too slow or too fast; both are faults.

Endeavour to play easy pieces well and with elegance; that is better than to play difficult pieces badly.

Take care always to have your instrument well tuned.

It is not only necessary that you should be able to play your pieces on the instrument, but you should also be able to hum the air without the piano. Strengthen your imagination so, that you may not only retain the melody of a composition, but even the harmony which belongs to it.

Endeavour, even with a poor voice, to sing at first sight without the aid of the instrument; by these means your ear for music will constantly improve: but in case you are endowed with a good voice, do not hesitate a moment to cultivate it; considering it at the same time as the most valuable gift which heaven has granted you!