The Gymnasium of the Soul
"It is hard to discover a better method of education than that which the experience of so many ages has evolved; and this may be summed up as consisting in gymnastics for the body and music for the soul." This statement of truth we find in the form of a footnote to Edgar Allan Poe's beautiful essay, entitled "The Colloquy of Monas and Una."
A musical education is not only good for the soul of the individual, but is one of the greatest developers of the mind, character and personality known. Let us see how the study of music may be classified as a mental developer.
1. Mental Development
Any great piano composition will do as an example, but we will use one of the Beethoven Sonatas here as a basis. The many intricacies in rhythm and changes in tempo that we find in these masterpieces make the student shrewd in calculating and in perceiving the relative value of time qualities and their divisions and sub-divisions. No less than three of the senses are brought into acute activity during the practice hour— Sight, Hearing and Feeling. When three of the senses are centered on one subject, the result must be, Concentration—that greatest of factors, to which all eminent men in all walks of life attribute their success. Then again let us take technique into consideration. Muscle control is nothing else than mental control, because every movement made with the fingers is first prompted by the mind. So you see that serious musical study is bound to be a great developer of the mind, if the student puts the best he has into his work while practicing.
2. As a Character Developer
Any student of the piano can talk for hours about the amount of stick-to-itiveness necessary to become a truly fine pianist. Honest, self-criticism is another, "often dormant," quality brought into play. Accuracy, precision and a great deal of "plugging" are necessary when striving for the goal.
If a student brings these finer points of his character into play for six or seven hours daily, he is sure to possess them as a definite and abiding asset when dealing with his fellow-men during the remainder of the day. So you see that music helps to make one a better member of society, of the community, country and world.
3. The Personality
I believe that one's personality reflects one's soul. Edgar Allan Poe writes this about the effect music has upon the soul: "It causes harmony and rhythm to penetrate most intimately into the soul, taking the strongest hold upon it, filling it with beauty and making the man beautiful minded; he will praise and admire the beautiful; will receive it with joy into his soul; will feed upon it, and assimilate his own condition with it." If we possess integrity, a staple character, and a "music-lighted" soul—the result is a charming personality! For proof of this statement, come into contact with any of our really great artists.
Every child should have a proper musical education. It is a parent's duty to the child and to society to see to this. Another point—"Any teacher" won't do, to begin with.
When one thinks of the enormous amount of talent lying dormant—yes, perhaps even genius undeveloped —because of inadequate and erroneous instruction, one cannot but feel that Poe's beautiful essay on the impotance of a musical education has been written in vain!