Anne Rodwell's book, subtitled 'A Mirror of Music for Infant Minds', is presented in the form of conversations between mother and daughter, a typical format for the period as the engravings portray. The idea was to amuse as well as teach the child and reduce 'the fatigue of imparting instruction'. All that is known about Rodwell is her description of herself as 'Teacher of the Piano Forte'. Her book succeeds in presenting us with a striking contemporary background to private music teaching as it existed in fashionable London at a time when the possession of a piano was a luxury. For other...
Anne Rodwell's book, subtitled 'A Mirror of Music for Infant Minds', is presented in the form of conversations between mother and daughter, a typical ...
James Turle (1802-82) was organist of Westminster Abbey and Edward Taylor (1784-1863) was originally a Norwich musician who later worked as singer, teacher and music critic in London. Their book is subtitled: 'The Art of Singing at Sight taught by Progressive Exercises' and its aim was to equip middle-class families, studying at home, to savour the delights of part-singing, 'the cheapest, the readiest, the most social, the most innocent, the most diversified of amusements'. The authors use musical notation, rather than the many versions of sol-fa, derived from German models where 'every child...
James Turle (1802-82) was organist of Westminster Abbey and Edward Taylor (1784-1863) was originally a Norwich musician who later worked as singer, te...
The title page of this book refers to Miss Fitton as the author of Conversations on Botany. She later wrote How I became a Governess (1861), describing her own musical background and how she worked in Paris, teaching English to perfect her French. This paid off when Conversations in Harmony was published in a French translation. Her approach follows the conventional conversation treatment, usually between mother and daughter but this time with a boy, perhaps reflecting an increased acceptance of music as not just for women. Rainbow sees these chapters as the equivalent of effective lesson...
The title page of this book refers to Miss Fitton as the author of Conversations on Botany. She later wrote How I became a Governess (1861), describin...
Mary Elizabeth Inman's book was first circulated in manuscript then published in Edinburgh (1875) with further editions in London (1877, 1882). It was designed as a preparation for the study of harmony and Rainbow found its factual content overwhelming and some of its demands extreme. But there is also common sense in urging piano pupils to continue singing; to get access to a good quality instrument; and providing information. .
Mary Elizabeth Inman's book was first circulated in manuscript then published in Edinburgh (1875) with further editions in London (1877, 1882). It was...
