The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-24
MUSICAL PRUDENCE
A Demand That Voice Builders
 Should Be Licensed to Pros cute Their Profession.
VOICE TAINTED BY ART
Suggestive Advice to Young Singers by One Who Has Studied and
 Observed.


 {. It would seem that the signs of the times would point to more conserva- tive action along all lines as well as along the financial There are few per sons who do not at least feel that they have considered one particular ques- tion wisely. Now that voice culture has become more prevalent than it was thirty or forty years ago, mothers espe- cially, economize in every way to give their daughters training along this line. and the great question is Who shall teach my child how to use her precious gift" To use an unmusical term we will answer immediately "A mighty tough question" for many req sons. There is seldom if ever now adays, much stress laid upon the fit ability of people who teach voice cul- ture. A doctor or dentist must have a license to practice, but there is no such law regarding the voice teacher. and the demand is imperative for such legislation. Teachers should teach more for arts sake, instead of for bread and butter. This article may sound like a voice from the wilder ness, but 1 am confident that were the facts realize as they actually are something would be done speedily to protect innocent victims from being numbugged This can he readily prov ed to your absolute satisfaction, at least as far as testimony from singers goes. if you use this simple formula. Take six persons who have studied a number of years. and ask them "how do you like so-and-so as a teacher?" Oh I don't study with that teacher now, he came near spelling my voice
 but my present teacher has T lovely method" Then you inquire, how long nave you studied ?" The reply Is almost as evasive as lady's would be in tell | ing her age. Close questioning shows two years with one, and more or less with two or three others; from four to. seven years say, and with what re- suit? Now results are the great things to be considered. What has been gain ed from these years of study? You hear, "Yes, she has lovely voice, al- ways could sing but doesn't seem to improve any" This reminds me of tho man whose wife took up study of the voice; he was accosted on the street by friend--"I hear your wife is talk ing singing lessons" "Oh, yes, she's studying. and I>don't think the neigh bors enjoy it much" replied the hus- tband. Well. I hope her voice is inn proving and shell get good results, T said the friend The husband was si- lent minute, then, T don't know about the improvement. but it is cer-
 tainly lots more noisy" But to return
 to the matter in hand, In fourteen or T fifteen years of personal observation
 many people have come. and I'm sorry
 to say, gone, and no more is heard of
 them. A shameful fact, for much Of
 the material was excellent It makes
 one long for singers of "Lindy's" type
 whose voice "wa'nt tainted by art
 There is probably no other stud,
 where imitation seems as necessary as in singing Even before study has
 been thought of, the child initiates
 some singer whom it admires Wher a boy I used to try to sing like my
 pastor who had beautiful voice, al.
 SO untainted by art
 One readily sees the importance ot
 the teacher being good singer II a pupil sings a note poorly, and they
 all do, how is he to he guided alright
 By hearing a tone properly produced
 Telling you that t must be so-and-sc
 will not do. You can buy quite few good books with months tuition. oi
 you might as well study voice by the
 correspondence method. and I am not
 sure but if done carefully. this would
 be in many cases an improvement up
 on initiating poorly placed tones h.
 teachers. Many people are ignorant oi
 the fact that the better teachers do no
 make wild statements as to ability o prospective pupils. This does not ap
 peal to the vanity of the parents, thu
 satisfying of which often sacrifices what might have been a splendid ca.
 reer, and they usually listen to thu flstterer I often hear the strong claims made by fathers and mothers abou : how anxious this or that teacher is tc get hold of certain member of tht : family who shows a promising voice Claims that are simply ridiculous. fol when one hears the person in ques ton sing, it is painful. to say the least and it is hard to get away without sac : rificing friendship.
 How much better for a teacher tt ] say: "Yes, a good voice; I'll do mA : best for you, and we'll see how it de velops.' At the end of the first year i
 Will be impossible to sing opera, ever Tn Judges Cave. At the end of the sec ond year it would be advisable not tc apply for church position as soloist Careful use of the voice in a gooC chorus. choir would be profitable. Bl 'iits iliHe ofe SnouIu ne dDle iu SDiS al
 ordinary song in English sweetly anC : acceptably as beginner only. A
 this time. too. there should he evidence of good foundation else the building will surely fall Wrong use of voices i
 unquestionably the reason why s' many give out years before the! should. Some pupils advance more rap idly than others. but never should an! voice be permitted to try coloratur' work and operatic gymnastics until tn : torres are placed. which will take thre' : years. two lessons 2 week at least, ant iiEe years would he much safer. Tom . quality is what counts. and a goot foundation means good tone quality which is only gained by good instruc FosAl f,,n1. l.r-% %t,.. t,tr