The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-15

larynx is modified by the shape, 81 70 and
density of the parts through which the
vibrating column of air has to pass be-
fore 1t issues from the barrier of the teeth.
These resonators include the part of the
larnyx above the vocal cords, with the
little sounding board, the epiglottis,
covering 1t, ths upper part of the throat
or iarynx, the nasal passages with certain
echoing caves in the bones of the skull
which communicate Herewith, and the
mouth. with soft palate and uvula,
tongue, cheeks teeth and lips. 1t Is to
these resonators SIS well as to the size and
shape of the larynx itself land those parts
like the features of the face are never ex-
actly similar in two Individually that the
distinctive quality or timbre of the voice
is due.
DR.. Fillebrown described the quality
and power of resonan oe of tuning fork
placed with one end upon table or plate
of glass and the effect of holding vibra-
tory fork before the opening of bottle
and the different sound if the opening in
the bottle is closed. The walls and con-
tanned air of the head cavities present a
vibratory surface of scarcely less than SO
square inches and contain from 10 to 20
inches of air and they constitute a
resonator of wonderful power but if these
cavities be shut off from the vibratory
cords by the closing Of the velum against
the posterior wall of the pharynx their
resonating power is lost and the tone goes
out undeveloped. The vibrations of the
vocal cords alone are insignificant. 1t is
the vibrations of the resonant apparatus
of the human instrument which give
pleasure to the ear and are sonorous and
far reaching. The nasal tone in the
yankee voice. 80 much dreaded By
vocal teachers is not produced by an open
palate but by obstruction Of the nasal
passages principally by contraction Of the
alae of the nose. If the nostrils are con-
tracted by muscular actions or by OUT
ward pressure the nasal twang will be
pronounced but If the nostrils be fully
opened full clear tone Is given out
That the velum is drawn forward allow.
ing a free passage into the posterior mares
during the vowel sounds, l have had
proven by observations. Prof. Harrison
Allen of Philadelphia kindly gave his
attention to the matter and made exami-
nations for the purpose and found this to
be tn case.
DR.. Fillebrown contrasted speech and
song. "Speech differs from song as walk
ing does from dancing, speech may be
called prose. song the poetry of vocal
sound DR.. Fillebrown continued to con-
trast. song and speech. Even speaking is
an art and it requires much labor to
master 1t. DR.. FilIebrown told what the
"pure tone'' is. 1t is the natural tone
and to learn this tone is very difficult and
is only the result of prolonged and severe
discipline. Unframed naturalness Is the
perfection of akwardness. To properly
form and deliver tone all the organs
should be correctly trained and well used.
Correct breathing is very essential and
this is almost universally conceived to be
the lateral abdominal breathing. The
weakness of many singers is the result Of
weak breathing. My studies lead me to
believe that there is but one register of
the voice Or rather no such thing, farther
than it applies to the compass of the
voice. Head, middle and chest registers
are artificial divisions made by education.
Public speaking requires training. To
attempt to speak in public without
previous training is like trying to climb
tho Matterhorn without preparation and
is just as certain to end in failure if not
disaster. To obtain the best results each
trained but well formed in all It's past.
The NAL arrangement of the teeth will
disagreeably affect the voice. The train
ing Of the voice should begin at the
cradle. The child should be surrounded
as soon. as it begins to lisp with people
who speak well. DIR. Fillebrown thought
it pity that all children could not be
taught the proper use of the voice.
Mr.. Richard Wood Gone Of Boston, one
of the most successful teachers of elocu-
tion in that city followed DR.. Fillebrown
with paper on "The Speaking Voice;
the Importance of its cultivation in our
schools. From his long experience as a
teacher of elocut1On Mr.. Gone was able to
treat his subject in a mastery and inter-
esting manner. He spoke OF. the imper-
lection of the natural voice It's harshness
and unpleasant tone in many cases. BE
said that it was possible without much
difficulty to make the voice easy and 40
ceptable to listen to. 1t is practicable to
have such instruction in the public
schools as to teach every child the proper
use of the voice and to SO train the young
pupils that they may understand Its
beauty when properly used. Children
| immitate their teachers and If the teach
er's voice is properly trained it will be an
easy matter to train the voice of the child
Mr.. Cone spoke Of the method of instruc
ton which should be followed and told Of
the success of his system in the schools in
and around Boston.