The following points in the above version are to be carefully noticed by the student: The light style of the opening measures, thoroughly in keeping with the simplicity of the melody. Often the theme stands out better if it is entirely without accompaniment for a few notes, as in measures three, five, etc. Observe the freedom from a fixed number of parts; sometimes the chords have two parts, sometimes six. In the last measures animation is gained by changing the eighth-note motion to triplets. Of course at (a) and (b) sonority is gained by the sustaining pedal.

$170. A set of melodies is now given which the student is to treat himself. Strive for variety and beauty in the accompaniment. Mendelssohn's "Songs without Words" furnish an endless variety of accompaniment figures for lyric melodies, and they may be studied with great profit in connection with the original work.

1. Andante cantabile

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The next melody gives opportunity to use an accompaniment of iterated chords, which may be interchanged in places with other figures.

$171. In connection with these exercises the student is strongly urged to begin work entirely original. Short pieces should be composed for the piano in some of the dance rhythms,- minuet, gavotte, bourrée, scherzo, and in two-part or three-part form. A constant effort should be made to stimulate the inventive faculties and to enliven the imagination. Like any other of our powers, the imagination grows strong from practice. Nothing will teach the student so much about pianoforte style as to try his own powers, under competent supervision, in actual original composition. No matter how latent they may seem at first, they will surely gain strength little by little. Facility of expression oftentimes reacts most favorably upon the ability to have something to express.