The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-11-04
THE voTcE.



The manner of using the voice by a large
proportion of singers and speakers is deplora-
bic, and many are taken from the stage of ac-
ton by its loss, from neglecting or failing to
learn its proper use.
Volumes have been written upon those Or
gans by which it is formed and controlled, and
all sorts of isms put forth, but how few seem
to get at the basis, or what should be the
foundation of all correct practice in singing
or in speaking
The air acting upon the vocal chords, set
ting them into vibration, together with the
air vibrating throughout the vocal tube, pro-
dnces the beautiful sounds we hear in a Guilt
waited singing or speaking voice.
What is meant by the vocal tube is that
passage for the air, from the vocal chords to
the front of the mouth. The singer has
therefore to learn how to control the vocal
chords in their vibrations, and also to govern
the vibrating column of air. This cannot be
done by the study of anatomy simply, nor by
watching the action of the vocal chords with
the laryngoscope, however interesting that
may be to the student, any more than watch
ing OF the lips while person is whistling will
teach them to do the same /; but only by
properly practicing the different vowels for
which the voice was made. Therefore all the
vowels should be practced with proper regard
to the compass of the voice, with purity of
tone and distinctness of shade, with the air
vibrating from the bottom of the throat to
the front of the mouth. They should also be
practiced in the detached or staccato, and in
the connected or tigato style.
The vowels thus practiced have wonder
full effect in bringing the vocal chords into
such close proximity as to prevent a waste of
breath, and give an eveness of voice through
out its entire compass.
Much has been written upon how the
vowels are produced some say by the shape
of the cavity of the mouth, some by the
tongue, and others by the pharynx. Expert
ments have plainly shown that tubes will
produce different vowels according to the
different shapes given to the tubes, aud upon
this principle no doubt tho vowel element in
our voices is formed. One of the most re-
markable features of the vocal tube is that by
its tiexibility and elasticity the breath can be
so managed that the vowel element may seem
to be produced at either end, in the mouth by
certain shape given it, or mostly By the
pharynx.
The vowel elment must not be COMPOUNDED
with the column of vibrating air or breath,
which produces the beautiful tone quality of
the voice, but considered as an element which
peryades or enters into it, as light does the
atmosphere, giving color to the tone.
Many interesting instances are recorded of
persons who could sing and speak distinctly,
having met with u total loss of the tongue.
"Dunglison's Human Physiology" page 324,
gives very interesting account of n lady
who could sing admirably, who lost the whole
of her tongue when child from a generous
affection.
The question then to be answered u.s.
How should this vowel element be produced
in singing? Unquestionably by the pharynx,
which should be so trained that according to
The strength of sound desired to be given, the
mouth can be widely opened or closed in a
flexible manner (soiM no contorttoas Of Tie
face) without affecting or destroying the vowel
desired to be made, TINS rendering the move
ments of the mouth entirely independent of
the pharynx.
BY enlarging the cavity of tho mouth and
drawing the lips over the teeth certain vowels
can be practccd, but such practice mpedcs
the development of the voice, smothers the
tone, cramps the throat, restricts the move
ments of the mouth, comforts the face, and
causes muscular habits to be contracted both
in the mouth and throat which are not easily
overcome.
The interruption of the voice by which ar
ticulation is produced is more naturally and
beautifully accomplished by the tip of the
tongue, teeth, and lips than by any other
organs.
Indistinct enunciation, which is a terrible
fault in singing, arises generally from one or
two causes, viz, the vowel element of the
syllable is wrong by not being properly
shaded, or the voice, as contained in the vi
brating breath, is not brought in contact with
the articulating organs Either fault is the
result of a bad method of vocalization.
The area Of the German empire is only
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