The Etude magazine, February 1909, p. 133
CHILDREN ARE MUSICAL
A NOTED German
musician was once asked why the children of the little villages
of Germany are so musical. He replied, "Because they make
fun of music." This is very true. The little folks of the
fatherland have very simple amusements. Although Germany is the
land of toys, the little folks are not laden down with extravagant
presents. Some little boys can amuse themselves more with a little
violin than some of our boys could with a $200.00 electric toy
railroad.
I wish that all who read this article
would try at the next practice hour to get just as much pleasure
as possible out of their playing. Treat it just exactly as you
would a game. Look at the little picture upon this page called
the "Practice Hour." See the eager faces of the little
folks and how earnestly they are striving to get enjoyable musical
effects out of their crude musical instruments. You may learn
a great lesson from the children of Germany, many of whom have
grown from peasant homes like the one pictured to become great
masters. Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and Bach came from homes of
this kind. Without one-tenth of the advantages that most of the
readers of this page possess they achieved immortal fame.
