Page:How to Write Music.djvu/55

Rh 53.—Should it be necessary to erase and re-write a note, the blurred effect too often resulting may be almost entirely avoided by penciling the correct note before tracing it in ink. This produces a lead-lined groove and prevents the ink from running.

54.—Orthography is taught by the careful making—drawing rather than writing—of large letters. The formation of a more rapid and individual hand does not come till later. So with musical phonography. The student, at whatever cost of time and patience, must first acquire accuracy and clearness. Not till these are gained must he think of rapidity and ease. Hence the consideration of facility has been deferred to the last.

Facility is well worthy of consideration, especially on the part of those who have much music to write. A little thought will often show how a character may be made in one stroke, which in any other way will take two or more, and that without any loss of clearness.

Thus a half note can be made in one stroke if begun at the point where the ring joins the stem; that is, at the top of the ring for upward stems, at the under part for downward stems.

Fig. 41.