MAYNARD’S MUSIC COPY BOOK.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2784, 19 January 1872, Page 2

MAYNARD’S MUSIC COPY BOOK.

To the Editor. SlK,— In your issue of the 12tb, in reviewing Mr Maynard’s Music Copy Book, speaking of musical reformers, you simply pass over the tonic sol-fa method by saying that it seems like introducing the elements of Babel into universal language. But, instead of this, the tonic sol-fa method has been found to be the easiest and surest way of mastering the difficulties of the old notation. In proof of this, last year the Society of Arts’ examination in the theory of music—examiner, Mr John Hullah—which examination is conducted in the old notation, the first prizeman and a large majority of the prize-takers were tonic sol-faists. The exanimation in elementary musical composition —examiner, Mr G. A. Macfarren—examination also conducted in the old notation, the second prizeman and a very large majority of the prize-takers were tonic sol-faiste. The previous year’s examination the sol-faiats had a large majority of prizes. There is a great deal of error and prejudice on the part of old notationists against the easy, cheap, and true method of teaching music. An extract from an article which appeared in the “ Monthly Musical Record” of July last on the tonic sol-fa system may interest your readers. Apologising for taking up so much of your valuable space, - 1 I am, &c., George Brownlee. January 13, 1872.