The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-21

ZION is Dest proved Dy the nice voices
of some of the leading actresses.
The women of Russia, Italy ireland,
England, all have better voices than
the women of America, so IL cannot be
urged that our climate is responsible
for the trouble. for each of the coun-
tries named has varying climate.
that of England being especially inju-
rious to the vocal organs.
The pitch of the American woman's
voice seems to be it's most important
defect. 1t is noisy. brassy. assertive.
Even in the colleges and at college
gatherings the strident high voice Is
noticeable. The laughter of the Ameri-
can girl is nothing short of Disagree
able, and this can always be noted in
matinee audiences when a comedy is
being presented.
This, of course. applies to women OF
the North. The Southern women have
a peculiarly soft and charming voice.
one of their greatest attractions. 1t
expresses refinement. cordially and
gentleness, for the voice. next to the
eye, is expressive of the character, and
some say that 1t tells far more in its
unconscious notes.
An American contralto has opened a
studio in New York for the purpose of
teaching American women how to use
and train their voices. The idea of
| ington reception. where a statesman
| called her attention to the chatter
around them and said that when he
| had the money to spare he would en-
| dow "a college where American women
might be taught to talk correctly.
The new teacher, like the others who
| have observed that the American voice
| has grown worse instead Of better, has
| noted that even on the stage at the
| best theaters some of the leading wo-
men are now allowed to talk in this
disagreeable, high-pitched fashion.
| possibly for the reason that the idea
| is to initiate fashionable talk.
Considering the fact that women pay
so much attention nowadays to the
identifying of their complexion and
hair and the accenting of their charms
generally, It is surprising that more
care is not taken of the voice.
Deep breathing, which is now pre-
scribed as remedy for many ills. is
| an excellent tonic that speedily shows
| It's effect in the deepening of the con-
versational tones. Singing is an excel
lent exercise. and little girls who in
sist that they do not know how to
sing should be encouraged to learn, as
the voice for speaking will mellow and
grow musical. even though the sing
ing may not become a marked accom-
| plishment.
| A coarse voice is hardly more disa>-
| greeable than a harsh. shrill one. and
| few American women have coarse
voices. A distinct low tone is the prop
err manner in which to speak. The loud
voice not only shows bad training, but
indicates an unpleasantly domineering
| spirit.
| Calling or shouting from one room
| to another, habit to which children
are addicted should be discouraged.
| Shouting and screaming at play, which
| many school girls delight in doing has
a bad effect on the voice.
| The tendency to cry in anger, pain,
surprise, JOY, should be corrected.
| Scolding will permanently ruin wo-
mans voice. Even though she be
| praying her voice betrays the unpleas-
| ant disposition.
Throat diseases allowed to run I'M
checked because they may be slight
will make the voice unpleasant in time.
| 1t will become hoarse and indistinct.
When one is suffering from a cold or
sore throat which produces hoarseness
1t is wise to refrain as much as posi-
BILE from using the voice.
Onions and lemon Juice are both ex-
| cellent tonics for the voice. Some ply
| sicians prescribe a preparation Of per-
oxide of hydrogen for singers. Baked
| apples, the Jokes OF raw eggs and but
termilk are said TO have properties
that improve and clear the voice. To-
| bacco and alcohol are both injurious
and highly-spiced food Is not good.
Inhalation and fumigation are good
for the vocal chords. There are many
candles possessing ingredients that are
beneficial and certain fruits are good.
But deep breathing of pure air and
exercise will soon have a beneficial
| effect on the voice. Deep breathing
J exercises will change a mans falsetto
voice to a full and rich one, will cure
sore threats and give fiexibility to the
tones. Deep breathing is really a sys-
tenn of lung gymnastics.
The bad American voice is best
known to the musical directors who
choose girls for the choruses Of operas.
| They do not expect Musical ability
among the applicants for places in the
chorus. but they must have voices that
will harmonize.
A girl with a pretty face and figure
will seem an acquisition until she
sings the few lines that are used as a
/ test for the chorus voice. Even among
those chosen the voice are as a rule,
| peculiarly unmusical, fact which win
be always noticed when a Girl has a
line or two 20 speak IN a burlesque or
comic opera.
In talking 20 servants. 10 tradespeo-
pie, 70 children, a. much care must be
observed A. IN conversation IN the
drawing room. Once the habit Of mod
ulating the voice becomes fixed the
victory IL assured. There IL certain
hypnotic effect 10 which women afe
susceptible when c0nyersipR with an
other woman who may pitch her voice
a. fhe high nervous tension.
unconSciOualy fha other woman wfil
follow fhe iaAd and in few moments
10th viii be carrying o. the tynacaily
i0pa American conversation entifelF
au1iele ~ eyeFy pefeop within ZEN fees