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6 Sep 2009 2:29 AM

A few days ago, my wife and I went to one of the U3A's art appreciation meetings.  In the main, the members are female and many of them are older than my wife and I.

One lady, who we have met several times now, used to teach me when I was in my senior school. Old habits die-hard for I still feel as though I should not call her by her Christian name.

On this occasion, I plucked up courage to tell her how awkward I felt by not calling her 'miss.' She said she understood my dilemma but I should not bother myself with it and that I aught to call her by her first name.  I tried, found it difficult but, now I have broached the matter, I feel I may now be offending her if I call her anything else other than her usual name.

Once my problem was out of the way, there was little time tokeep on talking for the meeting was about to take place.

The coordinator, for this meeting, is a fantastic explainer but, when his title went up on the white screen, I though 'what has the topic to do with art?'

The title was about the 'Tonic Sol-far' or, if you prefer, the Doe, ray, me musical scale. 

Some time ago, it was one man's wish to try and teach as many people, as he could, to sing and as things progressed, the Curwen Press was formed, and the book went on to teach 186,000 people all over the world. 

The booklet changed, over the years and, in the beginning, it was wordy.  At a later time, the pictorials became ornate and graphic and, latterly, the booklets were both wordy and ornate.  The attention to detail made the books expensive and this was to become the demise of the book.

Sales plummeted and the 'company' was eventually 'wound up' and many of the printing blocks were sold off or went into museums. 

Eventually, the building used for the 'Press' went on to be used by artists. 

It has taken me a long time to get to the art bit but I feel it has been well worth waiting for. 

Before writing this piece, I thought it best to ask my friend if he minded me using some of his information in my blog.  He had no problems but I have given him anonymity and left out some of the major points he has taken time and trouble to research. 

In November, one of my favourites, my friend will be giving a talk on Mackintosh and I cannot wait for the meeting to begin and to be able to share with you what new knowledge I have gained.

By for now,

John.

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