be musicians unless we are willing to learn perfect order in all the
music-tasks we do.

In this, music is a particularly severe mistress. Nothing slovenly,
untidy, or out of order will do. The count must be absolutely right,
not fast nor slow as our fancy dictates, but even and regular. The
hands must do their task together in a friendly manner; the one never
crowding nor hurrying the other, each willing to yield to the other
when the right moment comes.[3] The feet must never use the pedals so
as to make the harmonies mingle wrongly, but at just the right moment
must make the strings sing together as the composer desires. The
thoughts can never for a single moment wander from the playing; they
must remain faithful, preparing what is to come and commanding the
hands to do exactly the right task in the right way. That shows us,
you see, the second quality and a strict one of music. It will not
allow us to be disorderly, and more than this, it teaches us a habit
for order that will be a gain to us in every other task. Now let us
see:

First, we should study music for the happiness it will give us.

Second, we should study music for the order it teaches us.

There is a third reason. If music gives us happiness, do we not in
learning it gain a power to contribute happiness to others? That is
one of the greatest pleasures in learning. Not only does the knowledge
prove of use and joy to us, but we can constantly make it useful and
joy-giving to others. Does this not teach us how thankful we should be
to all those who live usefully? And think of all the men who have
passed their lives writing beautiful thoughts, singing out of their