The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-09
The Natural The Relaxed and Local Effort Schools
by J'-stin Leroy Harris.)

In the golden days of the Old Ital-
feet of Nature and learned of her.
They knew little of the science of
voice as we know it today. but they
did know the great fundamental prin-
ciples of singing which are Natures
laws. Nature herself is an expression
OF Gods thoughts and Natures laws
are Gods laws. This principle of
and rules everywhere in nature and
in art. Everything man does or says
under normal conditions is self-expres-
sion, an expression of his inner ma
ture. If this expression. however. is
not under the law, it is unnatural and
therefore. artificial. In nothing is this
principle of mans expression more
evident that in the use of the singing
voice.
The old Italians mae stros learned of
nature that the singing voice demand
ed freedom of form and action. spon-
taneity and naturalness, and conse-
quently turned out some few great
singers, but they We're event
ually misled by those who STYLED
themselves scientists. and who ina.
gined they had discovered the true
science of the voice and so the
principles of the old Italian School
were changed and lost and their art
became artificial.
The vocal world owes much TO
science, for true science is true know
ledge. But there is difference be-
tween science and art The end of
science is knowledge. In art know
ledge is merely a means to the end.
which is an expression of mind and
soul. The art of song is based upon
the science of voice; but the true art
of song is not so much study of the
mechanical action of the parts as it
is a study of these forces which move
the parts automatically in accordance
with nature. True voice is more psy-
Geological than physiological. A sing
er is not a mere vocal machine, but
a living thinking emotional soul.
This means that no man can ever
learn to sing because he lowers or
raises his soft palate. because he fiat
tens his tongue, because he opens his
throat as in yawning, because he pulls
or pushes the diaphragm in or out in
high chest at the expense of form,
position and strength in every other
way. 1t is true that the body is the
medium through which the soul gives
expression to thought and feeling. but
voice that is simply mechanical or
physical is always common and me an
ingless and often unmusical.
The two great teachers of the world
are Nature and Common sense. Ma
ture teaches us the fundamental prin-
ciples of voice. Common Sense tells
us what devices to use for develop
ment in those principles, and the
best teacher or student is the one
who uses the most Common Sense in
studying Nature. Any vocal student
the penalty. That penalty is hard
harsh, unmusical tone, or ruined
voice. All beautiful, artistic tone is
the result of certain conditions de-
manded, not by mans ideas and fan
cies, but by nature. All teachers are
agreed that these conditions depend
upon adjustment and form; but some
teachers attempt adjustment and
form by locally influencing the parts, |
the tongue, lips, larynx, palate, etc. |
These teachers belong to the
LocaI-Effort School.
By direct control and manipulation |
of muscle and of the vocal parts they |
to compel the phenomena
of voice. The result must always be