The morning journal-courier., 1908-11-28
Tone Talks.

The following article was taken from the Herald, It will interest many readers of "Tono Talks"
 "Eyery girl learns to sing It may he that she possesses a rare and beau tlrul voice though the world even the fashionable world, produces com paratively few of theso-but whether she Is a second Melba or the owner of harsh and unmusical voice, she Is taugat to sing, to improve the quali- ty and tone of her notes, and incident ally she is instructed in the correct way to stand, to hold her head, to boise her body and to breathe. Sing ing teachers would probably hesitate to admit that they belong to the class of physical cuturists, but there Is no denying the fact that a properly traln- ed voice almost invariably means a properly developed chest, Witl Q knowledge of breathing and standing that makes for health and strength. Almost the first thing a singing teach CT does when q new pupil stands be- fore her Is to show the girl the incor- rectness of her position, Position comes before tone, one might almost say. The practIced eye of the teacher knows how impossible 1t Is for any one, even the greatest singer to pro- duce a perfect tone when standing with the spine curved, the chest Cramped and the head dropped, The singing or the speaking voice which cmanates from girl assuming such posture Is most unpleasant, while the girl herself cannot be otherwise than unattractive. So the first lesson in singing Is a physical culture one the pupil is taught tho correct stand Ing position. She is given demonstra- tions of the great difference poise makes in the voice. She learns how 10 balance the body in a straight vet graceful line; she Is instructed in the correct method of expanding her chest not by drawing the abdomen in and pulling the shoulders back Ierklly, but as singers expand from the diaphragm and hy lifting the chest An average speaking voice can not fail to possess resonance and ful- ness when lt proceeds from well de- yoloped and correctly expanded chest.
 With this increase in chest dimen- sions comes a corresponding increase in shoulder breadth and an improve ment in the general health. The girl who knows how to stand and walk and breathe has provided herself with one of the most successful woap- ons against Illness and age. Every correct inhalation and exhaation Imeans health, and health means beau ty and happiness.
 Singing teaches girls self f-possesslon It makes them sure of themselves and sure of their voices. and some day they may be called upon to speak be- fore a large gathering when stagc fright might seize them if they had not early been taught self-composurc and how to command the voice. IL |, a pleasure tO listen to a woman who makes a graceful and melodious speech of thanks or appreciation; yet there /. pINDHDiN never was one who could 0C this who had not studied tho art Of breathing, standing and of voice pitch , English women of wealth and fashior arc frequently called upon to addrcs, gatherings of tenants. and 1t may bc SO that the American girl of the ris ing generation will take part in simil ar demonstrations, in which event sht i will be more than grateful for ner early voice training
 A well modulated voice is one o tho greatest of feminine gifts II out
 lines beauty gayety and youth. | compensates for many unattracttve oi negatively attractive qualities, ant when pleasing voice Is so easy tt acquire, few months training belns l all that is necessary to develop tho i vocal tone, quality and pitch, the won der ls that every girl and boy in eyer, walk in life does not take slnglnt 1 lessons"
 GEORGE CHADWICK STOCK.