Musical Myths and Facts, Volume 1 (of 2)Engel, Carl
History
Musical Myths and Facts, Volume 1 (of 2)
Engel, Carl
Music -- History and criticism
"64. What is the number of performers in a properly constituted band?
"65. Is there a leader of the band? How does he direct the performers?
"66. Does the band play in unison or in harmony?
"67. If vocal music is combined with instrumental music performed by the
band, is the instrumental accompaniment in unison (or in octaves) with
the voice, or has it something of its own?
"68. Is the _tempo_ generally fast or slow?
"69. Are there sudden or gradual changes in the _tempo_?
"70. Are there changes in the degree of loudness?
"71. Do the musicians, on repeating a piece, introduce alterations, or
variations of the theme?
"72. Do they introduce embellishments _ad libitum_?
"73. Mention the occasions (religious ceremonies, social and public
amusements, celebrations, processions, etc.) on which musical
performances take place.
"74. Are there military bands? and how are they constituted?
"75. Is music employed to facilitate manual labour?
"76. Are there songs or instrumental compositions appertaining to
particular occupations or trades?
"77. Have the people a national hymn or an instrumental composition
which they perform in honour of their sovereign or in commemoration of
some political event?
"78. Describe minutely the musical performances in religious worship, if
there are any.
"79. Have they sacred dances performed in religious ceremonies, at
funerals, etc.?
"80. Any war-dances, dances of defiance, etc.?
"81. Any dances in which they imitate the peculiar movements and habits
of certain animals?
"82. Are there dances accompanied by musical instruments, by singing, or
merely by rhythmical sounds such as clapping of hands, snapping of
fingers, reiterated vociferation, etc.?
"83. Give a list of all the dances.
"84. Endeavour to ascertain whether the rhythm of the music accompanying
the dance is suggested by the steps of the dancers, or _vice vers‚_.
"_Cultivation:_--
"85. Do the people easily learn a melody by ear?
"86. Have they a good musical memory?
"87. Are the children taught music? and if so, how is it done?
"88. Are there professional musicians?
"89. Any performers who evince much talent?
"90. Any minstrels, bards, reciters of old ballads?
"91. Any professional improvisators?
"92. Are there professional musicians of different grades?
"93. Who composes the music?
"94. Do the musicians follow other professions besides music?
"95. Are the ministers of religion also musicians and medical men?
"96. Have the people some kind of musical notation?
"97. Have they written signs for raising or lowering the voice in
singing, for giving emphasis to certain words or phrases, or for similar
purposes? If so, describe the signs.
"98. Do they possess treatises on the history, theory, etc., of music;
instruction books for singing, and for playing musical instruments,
etc.? If so, give a detailed account of their musical literature.
"99. Have they musical institutions? Give an account of them.
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