The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-04-22

soft palate, pharynX, larynX, ct, In
voice production for each tone.
don't think that she has the least
idea of what it all means for she is
worried to death with explanations
of things she cannot see Another
teacher teaches to breathe from the
spine and the girls are all enthusi-
astic about it. | have studied medl-
cine long enough to know that some
of this amounts to physical impossi-
bilities and | made up my mind to
ask the question. Who is right and
why are there so many conflicting
methods? l want to be singer, but
am rather discouraged. I. l..
Let me assure you that all mysticism
in connection with vocal culture is
fraud. There are certain fundamental
laws of nature which we must obey. The
right method develops the voice uncon-
sciously.
The pupil has enough to study In
languages and thorough knowledge Of the
fundaments of music without being puz-
zled 1t is a pity that so many teach
for money alone. Recently lady spoke
to me OF her daughter who was study
ing vocal and doing fine" Her teacher
used to be our piano tuner but he found
more money in teaching music
As long as parents select teachers with
no more education for training such a
delicate organ as the voice so long will
thousands of lovely voices be ruined.
As to breathing, we all know that our
lungs were given to us for that purpose
and to fill them with air before singing
is the first requisite. To govern the
nd ha
this breath is entirely controlled by the
diaphragm What is easier to under
stand?
Length of Daily Practice.
How long may one practice with
out harm? My friend lives for her
vocal lesson once a week. She sings
an hour but is a wreck for the rest
of the day. V. S. b.
One should not practice more than ten
or fifteen minutes at time. Stop and
practice breathing exercises for. ten
minutes and then resume vocalization or
song for ten minutes and then use the
yawning exercises ten minutes. This re-
lakes the muscles, opens the resonating
cavities, pulls the tongue down at the
base and rests ones nerves at the same
time If one has unlimited time to spend
on music, sit down with your song or
aria and memorize it. Work out its sa-
lIent points. It is not necessary to sing
all the time in order to learn tempo,
phrasing, etc. This should be a part of
your silent practice. This is also the
time to memorize the words. Do this as
If 1t were a story and your listeners will
enjoy your work more.
Language Best to Sing in.
My teacher is a German and wants
me to sing everything in German, but
one of my friends advises me to let
it alone. What is your opinion?
S. D. A.
There is nothing like a proper respect
for the opinion of ones teacher, but in
this case / think your friend is right If
you are but beginner, and that must
be the case from the purport of your
communication While placing the voice
the Italian language is most desirable, as
it is richer in yowels than any other,
and as singing is but the prolonged VOW
els propelled by Consonants you have it
in a nutshell in the italian language.
When your voice is properly placed you
may sing any language with equal ease
If you will use the labial muscles and
pronounce on the lips.