WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN-IN

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 41, 27 April 1928, Page 5

WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN-IN

(By

B

Sharp

(Specially Writteu and Voluntarily Supplied to ‘Radio Record’’ by a wellknown Musician.) | J STARTED learning music when five years old, and it looks as if my youngsters will be like their dad and take to music easily. ‘The old days when I practised 4, 6, aud sometimes 8 hours a day proved at times a nuisance because I wanted to play ‘kick the tin," "fox and hounds," ‘‘snowballing," and "tin tack’’; still, I will never be able to thank my dear old mother enough for paying the fees for my lessons. I had two lady teachers, then finished off with a master, the result beiug I can now tread almost any music tapidiy at sight, can accompany fot singers, and have a keen ear for all music, especially instrumental music. Therefore, the remarks which follow are penned by one who can appreciate good music, and without in any way desiring to be egotistical, I offer the following suggestions for what they are worth, , All people love music; music acts upon the nervous system as no drug, tonic, or medicine can possibly act. After a hard day’s business, with the nervous system just about ready to break, when men reach jlome they feel the want of complete quietness and rest from business worries. Very good; have you seen such a mat, after dinner when his friends or child plays the piano, or some other instrament, or sings a nice rollicking soug? That man changes his whole temperament; from a smileless face, with lines possibly drawn across through worry, probably over his business finatices; he suddenly smiles, and within a moment that man’s whole countenance has changed completely. His wife shows her pleasure at the change, his: children become more frolicsome, and the home atmosphere has turned tight round. Well, now, there cre not many to-day who desite to practise; many ate too busy to study; others, whilst loving music, have not the desire to test their ability out to see what they can really accomplish. Others again have no piano, and may feel they cannot afford to buy a piano, on the off chance that one of the family might practise, or some kind neighbour stroll along occasionally and play it for them. This is where radio broadcasting comes in handy.

I sit in my chesterfield nightly, with my quiet smoke, ald paper or book, and I have the musical world-so to speak-at my very feet. I put on my carpet slippers, rest my weary legs, sit comfortably back and reflect whilst the beautiful music pours forth into the loudspeaker. The strains of some beautiful melody, perhaps one well known to me, come from the broadcast studio or conce1t hall, probably many miles away. The marvellous, finest, and most beautiful melodies visit my home all the way from Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, America, Java, Holland, London, Japan, India, aud so on; and what do I pay for it? Fees, 2s. 6d. a month, not the price of 50 cigarettes. Remarkable when one thiuks for a moment. The cost of installing a set, of course, enters into the matler; but as reasonamle terms can be obtained this should not preclude anyone from becoming a wireless listener. A crystal, with or without amplifier, will provide excellent entertainment. Consider for a moment the happiness radio brings to the home: You have music waiting for you just when you please; and the kiddies can listen-in to the children’s sessions and derive considerable education, musical advancement, and happiness therefrom. Some people always take a long time to make up their mind to do anything, whilst others enter right into the spirit of the thing and have the satisfaction of obtaining knowledge, education and musical entertainment. It seems hardly possible that anyone could live in these days without knowing what radio really means; there are, however, many who do not realise the great pleasure to be derived from radio broadcasting. It is simply astonishing the strides and advancement which the radio engineers have achieved. In a few short years we have found out how to trausmit music and speech right round the world-truly remarkable. Are you a.listener, I would say in conclusion? If mot, let me of: fer my very best advice as a_listener of several years’ standing, and a musician of 38 years’ standing: Do it now! See your local radio provider, and you will find your home a different one from a social point of view this coming winter.