The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-02-08
a Plea for the Cultivation of the
Voice in Speech.

Comparatively few persons realize
the wonderful influence of the human
voice. ANY one who has to do with
children, invaIids or persons of nervous
constitutions should make this a study,
for there is no doubt but that much suf-
ferlng and annoyance could be avoided
by proper use of tone.
In talking, Some time since, with a
pupil of the public school, she told me
that at times the sound of her teachers
voice drove her nearly frantic, and vet
she was fond of her too; only she
wished that instead of yelling at them
her teacher would lower her tone and
speak more distinctly.
1t is 4 fact much to be regretted, that
many otherwise excellent instructors
are lamentably ignorant concerning the
first principles necessary for the correct
use Of this wonderful musical instru-
ment.
So far as am able TO learn the course
OF instruction in our Public Schools fails
cultivation of the voice in speaking. 1t
Is not considered sufficient that the
pupils should learn to sing simply by
ear but special instruction in vocal
music is provided This is good, but
where possibly one pupil in ten may
make use of the voice in singing, every
pupil should be obliged to put in prac-
tee IN daily life instruction in the prop
er use Of the voice in speaking.
Such instruction should include cor
rect methods of breathing, the proper
understanding of the different qualities
of tone, and how distinguished one
from another, also Pitch, Time, Cadence
and Melody as we'll as attention to
vowel and consonant sounds and care
in enumeration.
In these days of clubs. political, liter
airy and Social, boys and girls as we'll
as men and women are bound. sooner
or later to give expressions to their
ideas before the public composed of
few or MANY
1t is not enough that they should be
able to express themselves clearly and
dramatically, for half the force of
thought is lost if the delivery is poor
The tone, enumeration, and infection.
as well as the expression of the face all
add to, or detract from the thought.
However, the need of training for
public use becomes of little account
when we consider the value OF melodi-
Gus well controlled voices in the home
and ordinary conversation.
\ large number of men and women
never learn to read aloud They may
think they can but upon careful investi-
CATION it Will be found that they are
simply able to call words. Is is not a
grave error to neglect this vocal instru-
ment which has SO much power for
good or evil according as it is used?
| believe III the study of foreign
languages, but not at the expense of a
complete understanding of English; so
| am in favor Of teaching music and
drawing in our public schools, but first
and foremost let the children be taught
how to gain complete control of the
wonderful musical instrument our Gre
ator has given each one Of us. Let
them learn to speak clearly without
either mumbling or screaming and in
tones that will sooth instead of irritate
nervous eXcitahle persons
We should not loose sight of the fact
that there is also a reflex action in
speaking.
Ordinarily those most apt to use dis
cordant, harsh tones are neryousIy in
cllned, the nervousness showing in this
way: the sound not only jars upon the
listener but reacts as well upon the
speaker. Space forbids nv dwelling
longer upon the matter, but | think
enough has been said to show that the
subject is many sided and will bear
careful study
BERTHA REN-N0T rs