Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1912-07-12
Learning to
Sing

"Do you hnoWs muneu tue blTl NJ
the piano, "that singing isn't an art,
nor a talent? It's just record OF so
many dollars and cents. And the
more dollars and cents you've spent
on your voice the better your voice is.
THAT doesn't mean, either" she
went on, that It's ell q matter OF
training. II should take hundred
lessons ut 81 a lesson I'd be considered
just about one-third as advanced and
proficient In vocalizlng as I should be
II I'd take . hundred lessons at SO a
lesson"
why this pessimistic mood?" In.
qulred the man who was sitting near.
I'm not pessimistic." replied the
girl calmly. "Tve Just discovered an.
other truth. You try II and you'll see.
With the plano or the violin It's differ.
ent. While l grant that with them
dollars and cents count lot. still, II
you can play the keys and the notes
the same. people will listen to you,
and. perhaps, enjoy the playing-but
with vocal music everything depends
on the money cost. There seems to
be a quality in the tone. or something
that tells people just who your teacher
Is and what you pay for your lessons
and you get complimented accord.
ingly."
"Yes?" The mans voice invited
further explanation.
WELL" the girl proceeded, "even II
one practices alone on the piano one
can accomplish something. can't one?
But when a poor soul tries to practice
singing alone the nelghbors shut the
windows and the members OF her own
family beg for mercy, and even the
children make fun Of her. But let
that same person announce that her
vocal lessons are figuring in the high
numbers--that Professor Somebody
ievotes whole precious half hour to
her voice every once In a while-and
the nelghbors sit out on their porches
evenings to listen TO her scales. Her
family Is impressed.
NOW. I've been singing of and on.
for my own pleasure, since I was
baby. I've always had a modest de-
gree Of respect for my own voice-but
have generally seemed to be alone
In my opinion. II sang II was usually
an accompaniment--and when was
younger II used to hurt my feelings"
why. I've always told you that
Ike your voice" The man took on a
tone OF reproach. but II didn't seem to
work we'll
YOU" she laughed. "Why. OF course
you--but mean people who count, in
music!"
THAT seems to dispose OF me effec.
lively" conceded the man.
"But as was saying proceeded the
girl. its absolutely no earthly use to
have a nice voice. You may sing like
bird. but II your voice has been
trained outside OF first-class studio
you simply cant sing. no matter how
well you sing. That's all there Is to
H. Why. n Melba herself hadn't had
nrstclass voice teachers no one would
have ever realized what voice she
had. People would still be telling her
TO sing something instead OF forever
practicing scales. whereas they gladly
pay 81 or so for seat to hear those
very scales put into some handy
song"
From all Of which," commented the
man. summing the matter up. ut ap
pears that you are sick Of II all and
are going to leave the vocal field &c
the moneyed classes and stick to the
plano. really think you are wise
myself. Singing isn't such q grea
stunt after all, unless one has flB4
selection OF songs-and even then thu
same things cant please every one
On the other hand, II you play. 20,
can play to please the whole bunch
and"
You are entirely mistaken" inter
rupted the girl. deeply offended. 81
you think that after all this work In
going to give up just because m!
teacher didn't give me n decent soil
In that recital. SO that my voice woul'
show of well beside the others, your
badly deceived.
I'm going to spend some rea
money on good teacher. that's wha
I'm going TO do! I'll show them tina
they were all good and mistaken!
Then she pounded the piano keys.