Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-08-18
Copyright by James Elvcrson.

LrlcKB LndC are DclIlB SohpthNo-'S
invented by the ingenious artists
and opponents of the magic art, it is rather
surprising that its sister accomplishment
"ventriloouism"-an art now, as ever, quite
as mystifying and equally entertaining-is 80
little understood -,
The prevailing idea is that the ventriio-
quist throws his voice" in the direction III
which he wishes it to sound This Is ai.o
gether wrong, and little serious tnougls
would convince any one that it is so; pu' !.
is just for the want of this serious thousn'
that persons remain in ignorance about IT,
They accept the theory and trouble tneir
heads no further on the matter. ),
Perhaps some reader will say, How Is ~
that when ventriloquist calls to some mo
ginary person, say under the floor, the an
swering voice comes from under the HUI
/ say that the voice does not come from unael
the floor. If the ventriloquist is GOOD per
former. the voice appears to come from unoer
the floor. I admit but, in reality, it is not so.
The secret of the art lies in the correct imi-
tation of sound as it is heard after travei
ing from distance; and the effect OF the
voice appearing to come from under the hoor
is obtained by the skill of the artist IN pro-
ducing a sound exactly resembling a person
speaking in that direction, as 1t wouid pe
heard after coming through the floor.
There is another idea very general apouI
ventriloquism. 1t is thought that speciai
gift is necessary. This, to certain extent
is correct, as natural qualifications are neces-
sary to become proficient in any gaining =
man is naturally mechanic, whiie aho,ne. -
more fitted for lawyer; this man "ouiu I'D
coed best as farmer, while that man w.
get on better as a vocalist or musician.
But it is not exactly in these quahhca',:: 49,
III a. LED ,,ooosss.rv is supposed to exist
It is imagined that peculiar fornia.lon -.
the throat and vocal mechanism Is requs
This is also wrong The lungs ana oVnJ
local organs should be in sounu'
healthy state. :. .r;red
If this is the case. all that is requneJJ
when the following instructions are -..t;ob
is practice and perseverance, WITHOUT
nothing can be accomplished
One other remark l should like TO make
here and it is necessary that the lntehuine
student should understand it before ne CON-
mences practice Avoid straInng ai1er 81
feet. IF certain sound or voice cannot pc
obtained at first easily-which is likely to be
the case-do not strain to get 1t, put pray
tice gently until it can be produced eashy.
This advice cannot be too often repeated as
beginners are likely to forget it.
The first thing necessary in commencing
the study and practice Of ventriloquism is TO
learn to speak without moving the mouth
an accomplishment not very difhcult, Dut
which must be learned before anything FUR
Their is attempted.
II would be advisable for the student,
when practicing this part OF the lessons, 70
stand before a looking glass; he Will then De
able to detect any muscular movement OF the
face or lips, and correct 1T.
When in this position, let him open his
mouth slightly and hold the jaws firm, as II
he was irving to prevent some one from
opening them. The front teeth should be
about a quarter of an inch apart, and the
lips held naturally.
he should now go through the alphabet
slowly sounding every letter distinctly. ana
in loud, fultone of voice.
The yowels will be easy enough, but some
of the consonants will be difficult to artlcu
late plainly without moving the lips. These
must be initiated as closely as possible, and
with little practice, this can be done well
enough to be indistinguishable at short dis
4 lance. -,
3 The most difficult letters to pronounce with
n out the action of the lips are, in their order,
Hp. m, b, and V.
g P being the most obstinate letter to pro-
&nounce. we will tackle it first. 1t is utterly
Iimnossible to pronounce it correctly without
moving the lips; another letter must there
fore be substituted for it.
The student will find that is the nearest
approach; he must, therefore, when sounding
words he must substitute the k for the p
whenever it occurs-as kut for put kerhaks
for perhaps, kussy for pussy, etc.
"A with a little practice, this substitute letter
aon he pronounced so much like the original
that very few will distinguish the difference
-