Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-04-11
Culture of the voice.

Whilst singing IS an almost universal
accomplishment, few appreciate the time,
labor and instruction necessary to attain
excellence as singer. For ten who per-
form well on the piano, it is difficult to
find one who can sing simple English
song as it deserves to be sung. The
amateur vocalist usually prefers Italian,
as being more liquid and easy to sing,
and as the language is a mere nullity to
most of the hearers, the singer is not
fettered with the same necessity for Civ
ing expression to the thought that is re-
quired in the English language, for an
English audience Although the Ital-
ian has its value, in giving strength,
fexibility and development to the voice,
yet having acquired these, it will GER
tainly yield the greatest amount Of
pleasure to listeners to have the singing
done in their own tongue. All lovers OF
foreign music can be amply gratifed
with the finest expressions of the opera,
and in public concerts, but in the quiet
of home they prefer the simple English
ballad.
A good voice, good ear, and cor
rect accent, though all necessary, will
not alone produce the charm created by
the well-trained and sweet singer. To
learn how to take breath, how to avoid
the harshness of some of the cOnsOnants,
and how to convey the varied emotions
of the mind and renter the song truly
eloquent, and studies that demand, and
will repay much attention from those
who desire to use theT voice, as means
of eonferTing pleasure upon others.
They are the results Of method and expe-
rience, and do not always come by nature
so much as by careful instruction and
patient effort. A study of the words
from every point of view, first acquiring
their most perfect expression in reading,
and SO adapting that expression to the
melody, as to excite the same effects of
utterance, is a most valuable, but by no
means an easy task. Breath taken in a
way that disturbs the sense of the words,
or breaks the flow of the language, is
always in bad taste. To sing is but to
recite rhythmieally. Much of the strong
emotions of hope, JOY and despair are
rendered effective by the proper manage
ment of the breath. Every singer should
know, and keep within the capabilities
of his or her voice. An effort to strain
the voice beyond its compass always in
lures it, and, if persisted IN, wears it out
prematurely. Perfect self-possession aud
freedom of feeling is necessary to ex-
press delicate shades of meaning and
in nothing is an effort at display so trans
parent as in private singing. 1t is a
great advantage to all singers to play
their own accompaniments. No one else
can so we'll understand how to make the
necessary changes of tone and time to
suit the voice or maintain the sympathy
of expression that should exist between
them.
The genuine vocalist viii always per-
form with skill that no mere rules can
give. In order to sing well, not only
must the pupil be taught well, but must
exert his or her own powers of thought ;
and to excite a feeling in the listeners,
the singer must first be truly possessed
of that feeling. Art and nature ought
to work hand in hand. 1t is known that
the proper cultivation of the voice is ex-
ceedingly conducive to health, particu-
larly in expanding the lungs and devel-
oping the power of breathing, and it may
be hoped that some of the time so assid-
uously devoted to the piano may be
given to this most healthful and pleasur-
able art. The introduction of vocal
music into the Girls High School has
been favorable in all its effects, aud the
best development of the voice, for both
reading and singing, ought to be con-
sidered an essential part of education.