St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-05-02
AMATEUR SINGERS.
They should Attempt Ambltisus Feats II
Public with Cautton.

they should Attempt Amhltious Feats II
Public with Cautioa.
The average American to day knows
more of music than he did 20 years ago
End only those who have worked for
years under the guidance of the best
masters feel like playing for others
not within the innermost circle of ad-
miring friends. But, alas! the case
seemD to be quite reversed in singing.
How often have we made one of band
OF unhappy but smiling victims. forced
to listen to sor1e otherwise charming
girl, who, after perhaps not more than
one quarters lessons, tries to enter.
tain 4 room full of company, totally
unconscious of hercruelty! Apartially
trained voice is at times most beauti-
full. but is lamentably at the mercy Of
circumstances. A slight cold; q close
room; q little neIvousness-what hor-
rible visions Of failure they conjure up!
But look at the experienced artist. He
Is also mortal, but he has learned to
cover up little defects: KNOWS just
what his voice Will and will not do, and
SO makes himself master Of the situa-
tion.
Singing should be perfectly natural.
but We are constantly straining after
effect, and trying to make our untu-
tored voices perform seats which only
years can accomplish. Some little un-
rretentious ballad in our mother
tongue sung TO friends who enjoy it
for the singers sake as well as the
songs, may give ever % much pleas.
ure; but a German, French or Italian
mate skill that the music alone brings
unless rendered with such consum-
mate skill hat the music alone brings
out the composers thought, might
much better be played on q violin. BY
all means study the works Of the mas
tiers. but do not try to interpret them
for others until you can handle your
voice at will. Another thing is to keep
in mind that good voice and a correct
enr are not the only necessary attr:-
butes of the successful singer. Schu-
mann says: "The most important
thing for musician is to cultivate his
inner sense'--that indcscribable some
tuluS WuiCu ScuukNAo V1nSAo ~ ASSs
what you feel. The artist must have
it. or who will buy his bits Of canvas
and patches Of color? The writer must
have it or who will wade through his
effusions? The speaker must have it,
or his audience will be gathering the
fleecy coats from the occupants Of far
distant pastures instead Of his gems Of
thought. The pianist must have it, or
his music will simply act as stimulus
to conversation. Alas, then, for the
singer who has it not! He may as well
use q speaking trumpet to address his
hearers or turn the crank of a phono-
graph. When you tingle al. over with
the feeling of the song, are swayed by
it, lifted out of yourself-then. and not
until then, are you singing. II you are
only making certain sounds according
to the directions Of your singing mas
ter. you are wasting your breath.
Many people have this real musical
gift, but it is latent and waits to be de-
veloped; therefore. my plea is for more
cultivation among amateur singers.
Why should you not work as industri.
ously rs those who play the piano? II
people will listen to your voice unculti-
waited. why should you stop there and
never develop the grander possibilities
within reach?-Thc Outlook.