David Patterson's Tone Patterns: The Didactic Materials and Principles of Piano Technics, 1926
Item — Box: 1
David Patterson's self-published "Tone Patterns: The Didactic Materials and Principles of Piano Technics" (1926) is a method for piano technique (and music theory, to a lesser extent). The work is an attempt at a scientific and artistic pedagogical approach to developing piano facility. Patterson's method incorporates psychological theories from that time. According to promotional material, the method "accomplishes by means of sensory motor training what practically amounts to producing, not merely 'cultivating' or 'developing' musical talent." Materials include parts one through four of the Tone Patterns method and a "Master Chart" on tone patterns. Also included is a contemporaneous promotional pamphlet on Patterson, "Ear Marks of Genius."
Box is brittle and repaired with cellophane tape in places. The adhesive for the original binder tape holding together an accompanying chart has desiccated and the two parts are at risk for separating. Decorative tissue paper bound into one of the booklets is starting to separate and is also degrading.
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Materials are in public domain.
.25 Linear Feet
6 Items (one box)
David Patterson, American composer and pianist, was born in Minnesota sometime in the late 19th century. He began music study at age ten, first on violin, while supplementing his education with individual study from borrowed books. Following the destruction of his violin by his disapproving father at age 14, Patterson set out on his own. Later, he self-funded a college education studying composition and theory, and piano with teachers including Leopold Godowsky and Rafael Joseffy. The institution for his college education is unknown. By 1910, he was teaching at Northwestern Conservatory of Music in Minneapolis, and was musically active in that city as a performer and composer. During this time, he composed works for piano including a sonata, concerto, and fugues, none of which were published. He enlisted in the US Army during the First World War and served in a medical capacity. Following the war, he undertook graduate studies in bacteriology and chemistry at Yale University and Johns Hopkins University. By 1924, he was associated with the National Academy of Music in New York, and again performing nationally as a concert pianist. At some point after 1926, he relocated to Los Angeles, California. One of his more notable students was the composer and theorist George Tremblay.
Patterson, David. "Ear Marks of Genius. A paraphrase concerning David Patterson, American Composer-Pianist."
George Tremblay papers. Special Collections in Performing Arts, University of Maryland Libraries. http://hdl.handle.net/1903.1/19198 Accessed May 24, 2019.
Jean DeBernardi donated the materials on May 17, 2019. Dr. DeBernardi inherited the matrials from her late mother, Marie DeBernardi, a music teacher in northern California. However, due to the name "Margaret Dowd" appearing as the addressee for the box Patterson used for shipping his method, it is safe to infer that the materials originally belonged to Ms. Dowd, who also signed her name on multiple pages throughout the volumes. It is unknown how Marie DeBernardi ultimately came into possession of the materials.
Box is brittle and repaired with cellophane tape in places. The adhesive for the original binder tape holding together an accompanying chart has desiccated and the two parts are at risk for separating. Decorative tissue paper bound into one of the booklets is starting to separate and is also degrading.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library