Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-07-04
From tie Musical Gazette.
"OPEN YOUR MOUTHS"
SINGING MASTER.


Il always detested a number. Nv Calbe
I once took boy, one John Pod, from the N
: House, TO bring up, and the only trouble w
had with John was, that he was an cveraSin ING
number, speaking azilyand lubbery, as fhC
had too much pudding in his mouth. His man
ner was after this sort, viz:
Father. "llaye you driven up the COWS
IJohn.n
JoIm "Rareubzur."
Father. "What do you say, John? Speak
distinctly"
John. "Rareubzur."
Father. "Hcar me now, John Pod, and
speak as do, They are mp SIR"
J0kn. "Rarcubzur."
My father could get nothing else, and so
gave up the point,
One Sunday morning my mother undertook
to hear him read.
Mother. "Here, John, take the book and be,
gin where it says-We will reason by anal
|ogy, &c"
John, "Will Reefs son by Anna Logy.n
Mother. "Stop, stop, John, for mercy's
sake, and go no further, Let me hear you
sing, John; | understand you can sing We
Try weI--Let me hear you sing Sweet
| IIome.n
John. "Meed pazhahus.sand palusses thou
IOlmarum,
Betaver sawrumbe thurs nau plcz loik
hum"
Mother. Enough, John, you may 60"
Now, Mr.. Editor, John Pods manner of spea-
king, reading and singing, is a true specimen
Of our modern musical performers, as it res
poets their articulation. We are told, that the
design Of singing is 20 impress Us more deeply
and senslbIy with the sentiments delivered; ;
but how, in the name Of common sense, are we
thus to be impressed, unless we know what
these sentiments are? Not long since visited,
by invitation, the school Of highly respecta-
bic instructor Of singing. lie laid it down as a
rule for his pupils, that, in singing, the mouth
should be open so wide, as to admit the fore and
middle fingers; and observed that the school
generally paid attention to the direction. But
yet there are those among our singers who
open their mouths too wide for distinct and
PLAIN utterance, and so their pronunciation
becomes sort of baaing, and in some voices
almost believing, | am confident that this
part OF musical performance is too much negec. |
Ted; that our singers, amateurs, stars and com.
cts, do not make it the important point, as it
really Isl that they neglect it in their drilling,
and seem to think that the time, the flourish is
he main thing.
Some there are who scarcely separate their
Fps, SO that all we hear is kind of buzzinr,
md their pronunciation never comes nearer to
he true words than that Of John Pods rareub.
mr. ] think it is high time that the public
houd discountenanco this dwelling, mutter.
ng mode. acknowledge, that there is now
nd then an exception; and as often as such an %
Instance occurs, the singer is sure to meet the :
nbIc applause,
Having the words printed before US is no ex-
use for the singer. What shall we say of
Ibc orator or lecturer? Shall he print his
idress before he delivers it, that we may read |
as he speaks, and be able in this way only
understand? Some are too dim of sight in
,o n,Sh' time, nay, some who have fine taste
music cannot see at all yet they would fain =,
, ,ssno our musical performances but we want
"o', say they, as well rs sound. Finally, III
' = Gre 10 nave nothing but empty sound" we
,o'oL " near 1t from the instruments alone let
o"oIerS and lawyers be silent.