The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-28
VENTRILOQUISM.'
REAL SECRET OF THE ART OF
! "THROWlNG THE VOICE."

ventriloquial Sounds Produced by tho
Vocal Organs Alone-How Astonishing
Effects Arc Produced - Instructions
Which ANY One Can Follow.
yentriloquial sounds are produced by
means of the vocal organs alone. The en-
preston, talking down the throat" is some-
times used when alluding to the subject Of
rentriloquism, as we'll as talking in tho
stomach" Neither conveys proper idea
of the art, the first being only partly true,
and the latter having 10 claim whatever to
our attention. Sometimes it may be found
necessary to ccntine the sounds to the
region of the larnyx in order to produce
certain effects; the little service the stomach,
or more properly the abdomen, is called
upon to perform is in aiding tie lungs by
muscular action.
The art is divided into two parts-ven-
triloquism proper and polyphonism. The
former comprises those limitations in which
an illusion as to remoteness is intended;
whereas, the latter means limitations Of
voices indifferent persons close at hand,
cries of animals, etc. Most modern ven
triloQuists belong to that class The ear is
easily deceived with regard to tho sources
of sound. Such noises are often heard as
the beating of q drum, ringing of a bell,
rumbling of carriage, etc, and the list
ener is uncertain at first IS to their true
direction But after while, when tho esr
becomes familiari2ed with a particular
sound, the location is easily determined,
and it is not again readily cheated by the
same sound undcr similar circumstances
So it is with ventriloqusm. The performer
changes the tone of his voice, Disgusting 1t
in many ways, and offering many obstacles
to its free egrcss by the tongue, teeth and
lips, as tie aforesaid sounds are obstructed
In their passage by rows OF buildings, ETC.,
causing them TO bound from object to OBJ
ject until, when they reach tho ear OF tho
listener, they seem to come from any direc-
Gion but the true enc.
TO PRODUCE ASTONISHING EFFECTS.
Much stress has been laid by some ven
trilo iuists upon the fact that it is possible
to face an audience during their perform
anceS, aud without betraying any percepti-
ble movement Of the lips or muscles OF the
tare. Such performances greatly detract
from the success of their intended vocal
illusions 10y thus directing the attention of
the au iicnce, not to the supposed sources of
the sound, bat to the real source, the ven-
trioluist himself 1t is simply challenge
to the aVdleuce to detect, il they can,
whether the performer really does talk With
out moving his lips Some ventrlloqulstS
claim to be superior to others upou tho
ground that they always face SIuarely to
the front; but while this is an easy matter,
other and lar more skilled performers fire.
Quently turn their backs to the audience,
and very sci :ona present more than pre-
lille view of their faces. In order to pro-
tGce astonishing effects, it is sometimes
found necessary for even the most prol-
tient ventriloquist to conceal him self alto
s,ether from the view of the audience. In
every case where the Nentrilo luiSt faces
the audience they will discover that his lips
do move, all assertions to the contrary Lot
withstand. 1t should at all times be the
aim of tho vcntriioYuist to divert the atten-
tion of the audience from himself entirely.
OF late years u large number of ventrilo-
0uists have come to tho front, each one b.
ing in most respects an imtator of his
predecessor, and their exhibitions consist
ing generally of q dialogue between two or
srore puppets aud the performer himself.
Such performances are within the power OF
any person who has talent for m!mcry,
reasonably good voice, and the courage to
face an audience Practice will do 1t all IN
q short time Not SO, however, with true
ventrioy yui!m fer no one can become pro-
fciept in this. art without devoting to it
much study and years of practice. 1t is
essential that the student should have all
eur 90 we'll attuned as to readily distinguish
tho different qualities OF sound; he should
also possess q voice of great iiexiUility,
ranging in compass from the deepest bass
to lalsctlo, and his bump Of imitation
should De largely developed. All this does
not imply that there should be any peculiar
construction of the vocal organs, aid any
who assert that vcntrilo, .uists necessarily
dlller III this respect from other individuals
either do SO for purpose or thereby eN-
gose their ignorance Of tie subject
REAL SECRET Or ThE ART.
The real secret of ventriioqnism can be
very briefly explained, viz: EentriloIuism
is the inlitation of sounds SO that they seen.
to core from distance from tie person
speaking: or, tie imitation Of sounds as they
are heard on coming from distance. This
is the whue secret OF the art, and the &C
complishmcnt depends upon practice AMI
deSterity. .asts.a.
Any person possessing q good voice,
sound lungs and q moderate amount Of
1nimctic talent, may, with perseverance,,
acquire more or less proficiency in the VEN
triloIuial art, according to the time devoted
to lis study The student should always
COPY after nature, either familiar human
voices or cries Of animals. Always talk
during expiration instead OF inspiration, as
some endcavor to do. Stand or sit erect,
expand the chest and initiate the lungs before
talking in the ventriloquial voice. Select
short sentences and control the air in the
lungs so as to have sufficient to finish each
one before taking anoth.r breath. Take
ample time between each question and ans
wer for breathing purposes, and lot tho
Questions given i'll the natural voice I've of
suifici, mt length TO allow time to fully over
come the fatigue which necessarily follows
this manner OF speaking. The student is
advised in all cases relating to distant
sounds to let the ear lie his guide us to tone,
pitch, louIness, et;, for he can not be gov
crened correctly by any fixel rules i'll such
matters The practice Of listening to vari-
GUS sounds in the open air, and noting et-
tentirely their pc, uliarities, Will III short
time enable tie eur to determine with ccn-
siderable accuracy all that is essential fcr
the study Of ventri!oIuism. y great variety
OF sounds may lie produced with but Slight
changes of the tongue and lips and their
action upon the teeth. A little practice
will, however, do moro in this respect than
long explanations or rules The professional
ventrlo4uiSt requires great confidence and
scIf-possesSion, with IL ready How OF small
talk to keep ~ to interest
1t will probably appear strange to the
uninitiated when they arc informed that
the voice from above, the voice beiow and
TIA ynica at q disianca and OIL l.no from