Unfortunately, this scientific analysis of piano technique led James to the conclusion that the methods employed by his former teacher at the Academy Tobias Matthas, which had been examined crucially in the book, were not the best solution to acquiring an excellent technique. This was not received well by Matthay’s supporters and the book received an unfavourable review, despite its scientific foundations. James became rather isolated amongst the musical elite although he did have quite a strong following of devoted supporters. At this time James became a visiting teacher and musical advisor at Downham School, a girls’ boarding school in Hertfordshire. In 1936 he appointed Principal of the Brighton School of Music although he still maintained a studio flat in London where he could prepare for his own concerts . This also allowed him to continue teaching his own private pupils and preparing them for recitals at the Wigmore Hall. At this time he continued broadcasting for the BBC and to playing in the Promenade Concerts. In 1939 he had been booked for three Promenade Concerts; the first in August went off successfully but the other two had to be cancelled when all London Theatres and Concert Halls were closed in anticipation of the expected German bombing of London. It is not clear what happened to the Brighton School of Music at the outset of war but there is no reference to James being connected with it after that date. Possibly it was closed down or went into decline because of the war. The whole of the music department of the BBC was rapidly transferred to Bristol where it stayed until later on when it was transferred to Bedford.