Music Lib.

MT 820 G216 1891

HINTS ON SINGING BY MANUEL GARCIA

TRANSLATED FROM THE
FRENCH BY BEATA GARCIA

NEWs^REVlSED EDITION

Copyright, 1894,

Price 6/- net

By

E.

ASCHERBERG &

CO.

Asc})rber^,I1opwood
j6

a^ncl

MorCimar
NEVn/

St.

Crew, Limited. London. W.

CO.

YORK

E.SCHUBERTH *

The axporiatioH of'thi* copy

to the

Lnited State* <^-A.ttterica

is

prohibiUd.

r^
HINTS ON SINGING BY MANUEL GARCIA
TRANSLATED FROM THE
FRENCH BY BEATA GARCIA

NEW^REVISED EDITION

Copyright, 1894,

By

E.

ASCHERBERG &

CO.

Price 6/- net

Aschrber^,11opwood a^nd Crew, Limited.

J6

Mortimer

St.

London. \v^.
CO,

NEW YORK
E.SCHUBERTM %

The-exporiativn of tH/tcnfiy to the Unitfd iitates of America

is

prohibiUAm.

JNIV.

OF CALIF. LIBRARY. LOS ANGt Lt

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

This remarkable
year, has
little

work,

first

issued

when Manuel Garcia was

in his ninetieth It is

now been
(for

before the public for a period of seventeen years.

treatise

perhaps the
but in
its

most concise and compact

original

on the Art of Singing yet given

it

to the world,

form

which

was

partly responsible)

has not proved entirely satisfactory,

it

while the publishers have for some time been anxious to bring

out at a lower price.

I

Hence

this

"new

and revised" edition, the preparation of which

have undertaken

as a labour of love and endeavoured to carry out with due reverence for the wishes and
intentions of the illustrious author.
I

have corrected a good many errors and supplied

I

several omissions which constant use has brought to light.

have re-arranged some of

the chapters, and here and there altered the grouping of the exercises so as to
easier of comprehension.

With
it

the

same object
I

in

view

have ventured

to insert a

make them number made

of explanatory notes

and references, which

is

trust

may

be found useful both by teachers

and

students.

Otherwise

hardly necessary to add that no change has been

either in the text or the technical content of the book.

That
there
is

its value was adequately appeciated during the life-time of its venerable author, some reason to doubt. True, it has become known in every part of the globe
is

where singrng

taught through the

medium

of the English tongue.

Its terse,

vigorous

language and clearness of definition have been especially recognised

in the

United States,

where the name

of

Manuel Garcia has been one

to conjure with ever since the visits of his

most famous pupil, Jenny Lind, some seventy years ago. But in this country it was only after he had attained his centenary (in 1905) that musical folk fully realized what a privilege it had been that the great teacher should have made London his home during the
entire latter half of his extraordinarily long career.
It

may

be, therefore, that

under these

new

conditions a

much more extended

sphere

of usefulness and popularity will be opened up for

his

"Hints on Singing."
all

As a matter

of fact,

what Manuel Garcia so modestly styled the contents of this volume consists of a
his last

great deal more than mere "hints."

Apart from being

word on the

subject, they

embody

the profound knowledge, the penetrating observation, the rich experience, the

logical deductions

and conclusions of three-quarters of a century of active devotion

to the

study ana practice of vocal science.

Let who

may

learn this "catechism," they cannot but feel that in doing so they

come

They in some measure under the spell of Manuel Garcia's wonderful teaching power. his personal magnetism much of as can verba his ipsissima so from will certainly absorb influence is worth a legacy be derived through the medium of the printed page. And such
possessing, since
it

provides something more than a clue to that which he himself describes

as very nearly,

if

not quite, a "lost art."

HERMANN

KLEIN.

MUSIC
LIBRARY

Mr

PREFACE.
*
Since the
fifty

publication of " L'Art du Chant," * the invention of the laryngoscope and

years of additional experience have naturally enabled

me

to acquire

many
I

fresh
offer

ideas,

and also

to clear

up

all

my

pre-existing doubts.
I

The

result of this

now

to the public in as concise

and

clear a form as

have found possible.

The study

of the physiology of the voice has been greatly facilitated by the use

of the laryngoscope.

This instrument, by laying bare the interior of the larynx,

proceeds to produce sounds and registers.
qualities are
distinct
in

shows how the

the

glottis

It

shows, also,
to the voice.

manner

in

which the ringing and veiled

communicated

These
the

qualities

produced
timbres,
this

by the
and

glottis

are

from the characteristics of

another

voice

called

are

originated

the pharynx by quite

ideas
afloat

mechanism.
of
voice
I

All

should

dispel

many

false

on the question

production

introduce a few anatomical figures to facilitate

is

my

explanations.

The study

of

the

anatomy and physiology of the vocal ocgans

useful to the teacher.
It

not indispensable to the pupil, but

is

might be most

will

enable him, when a defect

to be

amended,

to detect the organ

which

is

at fault,

and to suggest the proper correction.

"Traitd Complet de

I'Art

du Chant," par Manuel Garcia.

Paris

Brandus

et Cie., 1840.


IV

PREFACE.
pupil
it

For the

is

enough

that,

localising

his

sensations

through
his

his

master's

explanations, he should learn to distinguish

the

the various

parts of

instrument and

manner
I

of using them.
also

have

added

several
forth.
it

exercises

to

give

the

pupil

the

opportunity
flexibility

of
is

applying the precepts set

At the present day the acquirement of

not, perhaps,
is

not in great esteem, and were

for the

venerable Handel, declamatory

only must the art suffer,
florid

music woul-d reign alone.

but also
congenial
;

This

to
to

be regretted,

for not
brilliant

the

young

fresh

voices,

which

the

style

is

the

most
It
it

the harder and

difficult

more

settled organs

being best suited for declamation.

decline of
the florid
style.

would not be
suffice,

to trace

the causes

of the

Let

however,

to

mention, as one of the most important,

besides originating
influenced
offer

the disapperance of
it

the

race of great singers who,

of

this art,

carried

to

its

highest

point

excellence.

The

impresario,

by the
gifted

exigencies of

the

modern prima
virtuose
to

donna, has been constrained to

less

and accomplished
the
role

the

composer,
to

who

in

turn

has

been compelled
orchestral

to simplify

of
is

the voice and

rely

more and
lost

more upon
the

effects.

Thus, singing
or

becoming
used

as

much

art

as

manufacture of

Mandarin china

the

varnish

by

the old masters.

In adopting
the
difficulties

the

form of question and answer.

to

have endeavoured
1

to

foresee
of
in

likely

occur

to

an

earnest

student.

subjoin

sketch

the the

laryngoscope to satisfy the curiosity of any student

subject.
is

who may be One

of

interested

The laryngoscope

consists

of

two

mirrors.

them,

(very
at

small,)

attached to the end of a

long

wire and placed

turned

against

the uvula
It

the

top of

the

pharynx,
that
to

the
it

reflecting

surface

downwards.
the
first.

must

be

moderately
mirror
is

heated

may

not

be
of

tarnished
light

by
the

breath.

The

other

employed
the

throw
will

rays

on

The

form

and

disposition

of

mirrors

be

shown
:

more

clearly

by

the

following

illustrations

than

by

any attempt at explanation*

Observations on the

Human

Voice,
24th.

by Manuel Garcia.
1855. p. 399 to 410.

Proceedings of the Royal

Society

of

London. Vol. VII.

Meeting of

May


PREFACE.

Laryngoscopic mirrors, half

size

wish to express

my

gratitude to Dr. S. G.

Shattock

for his great

kindness in

undertaking to

make

finished drawings from

my

rough sketches, and rectifying

strictly technical.

am
I

amove any physiological or anatomical description that was not

have also to thank

my

old pupil,

Mr. HERMANN KLEIN, for

his indefatigable patience

and

skill in

preparing the

MS.

for the press

and correcting the

proofs.

MANUEL GARCIA.

Cricklewood,

London,

October^ 1894.

LOWE AND BRYDONE PRINTERS

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY LIMITED, LONDON, N.WJO

HINTS ON SINGING.
PART
1.

I.

OBJECTS OF VOCAL STUDY.

in its intonation, firm, strong, flexible,

Q. What is the object of vocal study? A. To make the voice irreproachable extended, and to correct its faults.
Q. A.
Is that all
?

teach the student the art of phrasing, to familiarize him with the different styles, and to develop his expression.
2.

To

DESCRIPTION OF THE VOCAL APPARATUS.

Apparatus

Q.

A.

Of what does the vocal instrument consist ? ! 1-1 /-\r r LOf four distmct apparatus which combme

their action

! constituting the ! but with special Human voice.

:

functions, each being entirely independent of the rest.

These apparatus are

The The The The

Q.

Bellows 7iamely, Vibrator Reflector Articulator

the lungs.

glottis.

pharynx, and (when words are added) organs of the mouth.

at the base of the instruA. v!^^^^ ''^atu*. ment. Essential organs of the respiration, the lungs perform the function of an organ

Give a concise de.scription of the vocal instrument. The Lungs, a sp(Migy matter where the air is stored, are

Fig.

I.

Fig. 2.

The
1.

Cartilages of the Larynx viewed from the front (S. G. ^hattock).

1.

The

Cartilages of the Larynx viewed froio behind (after Sappey).

cartilage.

2.

Upper horn of the thyroid cartilage. Thyroid cartilage, articulating by

its

inferior
2.

Upper horn of the thyroid Thyroid cartilage.

Santorini.

horn with the cricoid. 3. Lower horn of the thyroid

with the cricoid.
4.
5.

3.

cartilage, articulating

4.
5.

Arytenoid of the right

side.

Cricoid cartilage.

Upper end of
epiglottis
is

the trachea.

The

not represented.

Cricoid cartilage. 6. Lower horn of the thyroid cartilage, articalailx^ with the cricoid. 7. Upper end of the trachea. The epiglottis is not represeoted.

iriNTS

ON SINGING.
They
are placed, one on

bellows, furnishing the air necessary for the sonorous waves.

each side of the chest, the expansion of which makes room for their inflation, and the Above comes contraction of which compels them to expel part of the air admitted the Larynx, as sort of cartilaginous box; it is conspicuous in front of the upper part of the neck, and forms that protection known as Adam's apple. This box, in which every vocal sound is produced, is open at both ends, and communicates by its lower opening directly with the lungs through the Trachea, an the higher opening communicates with the Pharynx, and, when wc elastic tube swallow, is closed by a sort of cartilaginous leaf, called the Epiglottis. The larynx is surmounted by the pharynx, a large cavity which forms the back of the mouth
;

it is

limited behind

by a proper muscular

wall, in front

by the

pillars of the fatues

Fi(-..

3.

and middle line ; the partition between the right ). from Saprey {Modified view to exposed fossa nasal left cavities of the nose has been removed, and the left side. 7. Arytenoid cartilage of the left 1. Opening into the pharynx of the Eustachian tube 8. False vocal cord. the passage which leads to the middle ear or drum. True vocal cord. Between the two is the ventricle
Vertical Section of the head

made

to the left side of the

2.

The

soft palate.

9-

3.

Anterior pillar of the fauces.

Tonsil.

of Morgagni.

4.
5.

Posterior pillar of the fauces.

Epiglottis.

"

10.

Trachea.

CEsophagus. or gullet.

6.

HINTS ON SINGING.

The pharynx communicates with

of the
is
;

of the mouth, and extending from the pharynx to the nostril.

the nasal Jossce, two cavities situated above the roof The palate is the roof

mouth the anterior two-thirds are bony, the other third, called the soft palate, a movable curtain continued backwards from the hard palate. The pharynx, on account of the numerous shapes it can assume, confers the colouring of timbres on sounds produced in the larynx, and contributes to the formation of vowels.
3.

RESPIRATION (BREATHING).

the

iheLung* What facts can you mention concerning the respiratory organs ? A. The lungs, as has been said, constitute the breathing apparatus, and contain air, which is the substance of sound. To be admitted into and expelled from the

Q.

I.

'J'he

Thyroid Cartilage of the Larynx.

.2.

The

Cricoid Cartilage of the

Larynx.

Fig.

4.

The Lungs, Trachea, and Larynx,

1.

as viewed from the Front.

2.

3.

cricoid cartilage of the larynx. the lung and end Trachea, or wind-pipe, terminating in the bronchial lubes which ramify through
in the vesicles.

The The

thyroid cartilage of the larynx.

ulti-

mately

HINTS ON SINGING.
must traverse the mouth or the nostrils, the pharynx, the glottis, and the acts of inhaling and of exhaling constitute respiration. The lungs are contained in the chest, a sort of cage formed by twenty-four ribs, together with the sternum, the vertical column, and the Diaphragm. This most important muscle (the diaphragm) forms the base of the cage it is convex, and holds the act of respiration
lungs, the air

trachea.

The two

The Ribs and

Diaphragm.

under

its

controL

Ribs.

Diaphragm

(not represented).

Vertebral Column.

Fig.

5.

How

to tak*

Breath.

Modes

ot

HINTS ON SINGING
1.

5
lips,

Draw

a breath slowly through a very minute opening of the

then exhale

freely.

Breathe freely and exhale slowly through the same small opening. Breathe freely and retain the breath during ten seconds or more. 3. N.B. These exercises are independent of each other, and should never be continued
2.

till

fatigue ensues.

necessary always to regulate the pressure of the air from the lungs > The glottis being under the direct influence of the lungs, any jerkiness or other irregularities in the action of these organs affects the sounds and impairs that continuous flow which is the charm of execution.

Q. A.

Is it

Undoubtedly.

Q. A.

Whdit

dire

the /au/ls 0/ dreat/im^ ?

Shbg.
the air
"^

The
in

greatest are that the breathing should be scanty, hurried, noisy, or

raising the shoulders.
is

drawn
jerks,

by

When

is

inhaled gradually and not by

fatigue.
The Remedy

it

does not rebound, and

retained

by the lungs without

Q.

How

are these faults to be remedied

A
glottis.*

The first three by breathing slowly and deeply, and by opening wide The noisy aspirations are caused by a semi-opened glottis.

the

How can you obtain the sensation of the glottic action ? Q. A. By coughing almost imperceptibly. The glottis then closes and opens through these actions we feel it distinctly.

Acfioa''"
;

* The importance of the larynx, as the producer of ail vocal sounds, justifies us in studying it more minutely than other parts of the instrument. the thyroid, the cricoid, the two arytenoids, The frame-work of the larynx includes the following cartilages
:

surmounted by two nodules, called cartilages of Santorini, and the epiglottis. These cartilages are movable by means of appropriate muscles. The interior of the larynx narrows toward the centre to a mere chink or fissure This opening, which can be seen with the laryngoscope, is bounded by two edges placed one on called i\ic glottis. These edges constitute the lips of the glottis. Posteriorly they are formed by the right and the other on the left. The vocal cords are two deep folds the internal surface of the arytenoid cartilages, and in front by the vocal cords. of membrane. In each them, immediately beneath the edge of the fold, lies a band of elastic tissue of the mucous known as the inferior thyro-arytenoid ligament or true cord the outer side of this fold is filled by the internal thyroAt a little distance above these folds are placed two others called false cords, which are arytenoid muscle. separated from the former by two cavities the ventricles. The lips of the glottis alone produce all vocal sounds, with their modifications of ringing and veiled quality, of The space between the lips, in the act of respiration, has nearly the form of a horizontal isosceles piano and forte. The triangular is the form of silence, the linear triangle, and becomes linear when preparing to produce a sound.
;

of activity.

The

closing of the lips I call

" pinching of

the glottis. "

(Figs.

6,

7,

8.)

Glottis Opened.

Glottis Opened.

Glottis Shut and Vibrating.

Fin.
6.

6.

Fig.

7.

Flo.

8.

a Eminence formed by the cartilage as seen with laryngoscope during easy inspiration, Fig. The epiglottis, d, is seen in bird's eye view ; the of Santorini, which lies on the summit of the arytenoid cartilage. b The true vocal cord between this and ili eminence close above the cords is its "cushion" {Shattock). c The false vocal cords. fellow is the chink of the glottis,
glottis,

The

Diagram of the larynx in horizontal section, showing the chink of the glottis, bounded behind by Fig. 7. The the internal surfaces of the arjtenoid and cricoid cartilages, and in front of these by the true vocal coras. dotted lines show the position of the cricoid cartilage and vocal cords when the glottis is opened ; the direction posterior is indicated by crico-aryfenoidous muscle) the arrows. (the force contracting the of
Fig.
8.

The same parts showing the position of the arytenoid cartilage

tlie

and vocal cords of the

glottis,

drawn
lijs

Ohervooonoo

HunukD Voice, by Manuel Garcia.

Proceeding* oi the RovaI Society of London, Vol. VII.

No.

ti.

>

HINTS ON SINGINa
i

4.

SOUND (RESONANCE).

made in the ear by vibrating air.* does the glottis produce sounds ? The two lips of the glottis, which are separated in the act of breathing, meet when preparing to produce a sound, and close the passage with the degree of energ)'
The
sensation

Q. A.

What

is

soiindf

Q. A.

How

together (by the arytenoid muscle), aad closing ihe glottia.

Fig. Fig.
9.

lo.

FlO. 9.
1.

vertical section of the larynx carried

from side to

side, the anterior half of the Section

being

represented.

Cushion of the

epiglottis.

2.
3.

Section of the thyroid cartilage.

Section of the cricoid.

4.
5.

Section of the

first

ring of the trachea.

6. 7.

true vocal cord in section, showing the internal portion of the thyroarytenoid muscle lying in the fold of the mucous membrane. It is by the action of the true cords stopping and opening the air passage that the voice is produced.

The The The

false

cord in section.

ventricle of iMorgajjni.

Through of the Trachea as viewed from its right side. shown the arytenoid cartilage, a, and the vocal cord, b, forming together the right lip of the glottis. The dotted lines show the position taken by the arytenoid and cricoid cartilages, a c, when the cricoid is drawn upwards by the contraction of the cricothyroid muscle, acting as shown by the arrows. The dot, /, of the inferior horn of the thyroid marks the ideal centre of movement. It will be
Fig. 10.

An outline of the

Larynx and upper side

the right ala of the thyroid cartilage are

seen that the result

is

to increase the distance between the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage

and the thyroid,

and

in this *

way

to tighten the vocal cord.

it

When

a cord of a musical instrument oscillates,

air

behind an amount of expanded

are inseparable,
either side of the cord,

equal to that displaced

condenses the air on the side it approaches, leaving these two portions of air, compressed and expanded, ;

and form what is called a wave of sound. The waves of sound, in inverse order, are propagated on and if the succession be regular or rhythmic, and sufficiently rapid, they form a musical sound. Any irregular succession of waves produces only nois-e. In reaching the ear, the condensed portion of the air wave forces in the membrane which closes the bottom of the auditory meatus the rarefied portion draws it out again, and these oscillations transmit to the brain, by means of the auditory nerve, the vibrations which we appreciate
;

Bs found.

HINTS ON SINGING

demanded by the nature

of the sound and the power with which it is to be emitted. Then, being pushed upwards by the air, they give way and allow a portion of air to escape, but immediately return to their original contact, and recommence the action. These intermittent emissions or explosions of air, when regular and rapid enough, form a sound. Q. Can you name any action which is an illustration of this } A. The action of the lips of a horn player. Q. Are the sounds obtained always of the same character ? A. No. They may be bright and ringing or veiled. Q. How do you obtain these bright and veiled sounds ? vi?ifd"sou"iis. A. If after every explosion the glottis closes completely, each impinges sharply on the tympanic membrane, and the sound heard is bright or ringing. But if the glottis is imperfectly closed, and a slight escape of air unites the explosions, the impressions upon the tympanum are blunted, the sound being then veiled. The waste of air can be verified by placing a lighted match before the mouth. The brighter sound does not stir the flame, the veiled one will. secret of Q. Has this observation any J importance? f Tone-Colont A. Coupled with the theory of timbres and that of the breath, it puts the singer in possession of all the " tints " of the voice, and indeed initiates him into all the
'''

secrets of voice-production. (See Timbre, page 11).

pch. Q. What produces pitch } A. The number of explosions that occur in a given time. The greater the number, the higher the pitch.* intensity of Q. What causes intensity of sound ? Sound. A T A. Intensity of sound is not due to the amplitude of movement of the glottic lips, but to the quantity of air which makes one vivid explosion. The resistance

by the lips to the pressure of the lungs determines this quantity. The amplitude is therefore a result, not a cause. After each explosion the glottis must be reclosed for if the air found a constant issue, the greater the expenditure of air the weaker the sound would be.
offered
;

Q.

How
What

is

A.
Q. A. Q. A.

The volume

volume of sound obtained ? of sound depends on the expansion of the pharynx and of the
.*

voium* of

vestibule of the larynx.

range of vibrations can the human ear perceive According to Helmholtz from 16 vibrations to 38,000 in a second. How is the rising scale formed ? By the gradual tension, shortening, and thinning of the glottic lips.

Formation of
the Scale.

5.

THE SINGING VOICE REGISTERS.

.''

Q. Is a voice of the same nature throughout its range A. Every voice is formed of three distinct portions, or registers, namely, chesty medium, and head. The chest holds the lowest place, the medium the middle, the head the highest These names are incorrect, but accepted.

mi = 164. fa = 170. sol = number of its vibrations.

Number

of vibrations required to
199, la

213-5, si =

form each note of the scale beginninfi with 230-40, do = 256. The octave above any note

fm )\

^^

"

D = ^ -

"28,

re

144.

requires

twice the

HINTS ON SINGING.
Q-

Defininooota
Register.

What

IS

a register
is

homogeneous sounds produced by one mechanism, differing essentially from another series of sounds equally homogeneous produced by another mechanism, whatever modifications oi timbre and of strength they may offer Each of the three registers has its own extent and sonority, which varies according to the sex of the individual, and the nature of the organ.

register

a series of consecutive

Q.
Mechanism of
registers.

How

are these three registers obtained

preparing to emit a sound the two sides of the glottis, which are Separated for breathing, shut the passage, and if the sound be a deep chest note, they become slightly tense. The whole length and breadth of the lips (comprising
A.

Whcn

the anterior prolongation, or process of the arytenoid cartilage and the vocal cord) As the sounds rise in the register the tension of are engaged in the vibrations. Meanwhile the contact of the inner the lips increases, and the thickness diminishes.
surfaces of the arytenoids will progress

and extend

to the

end of the vocal processes.

tnereDy shortening the vibratory length of the lips. The medium or falsetto* is the result of similar actions, save that the lips come into contact, not through their depth In both registers the glottis has its length diminished from but merely at their edges.

the back, by the arytenoids, which advance their contact

till

their adhesion

is

complete.

As soon

as this takes place, the falsetto ceases,

and the

glottis,

consisting of the vocal

cords alone, produces the head register.

large surfaces generates the chest register,

The

resistance opposed to the air by the and the feebler opposition presented by the

edges produces the falsetto.

Break orchanue
of the Voice

Q-

What

is

meant by the

^
child
it

-pj^g ^qj^.^ ^^ ^j^g

break of the voice " ? ^gg ^f puberty undergoes a transformation

"

from that of a

becomes that of an

adult.
?
;

Age

at

which

begin.

in boys it acquires virile power and drops an octave in pitch. Q. At what agc should the serious study of singing begin A. From sixteen for girls, and from eighteen for boys, according to strength and climate, but not until the change is complete, as any tampering at this delicate period

Q. A.

What

are those transformations

In girls the voice acquires

volume and strength

.?

may

ruin the voice for ever.

6.
Classification

DESCRIPTION OF FEMALE VOICES.

Q-

Are
j^^

all

and Range.

^
show.

female voices alike in extent and character ? 'Jhey arc divided into three classes on account of the differences they

They

are

The Contralto, which is the lowest voice The Mezzo-soprano which holds a middle The Soprano, which is the highest voice.
Q. A.
Chest Register.

position

and

Q. A.

What is the range of these voices ? Generally from an octave and a half to two octaves. How do you dcscribc the registers in female voices ?
The
chest voice which
is

the

lowest,

is

generally strong and

energetic.

especially in contraltos.

In

its full

extent

it

ranges from

^
tf

5.

to

was so employed by The term "falsetto" is 110 longer in use as a name for the medium register in the female voice. It mechanism corresponds to that of the acute falsetto sounds which the male the author and his contemporaries, because its voice is capable of producing. (A/o<#, H. KJ

HINTS ON SINGING

Q
A.
tcrvice,

Is

that extent available in practice

Certainly not

The two
jj

lowest notes are

in

most voices too weak

lest

to be o(

and those above

must never be used

the result be

the ruin of the whole instrument.

Q.
A.

Where does

the chest register begin in mezzo-sopranos and in sopranos

In mezzo-soprano the cnest register begins on

i 5
limitation.
?

soprano

about

7u

and both are submitted

to the

same

Q. A.

What

are the characteristics of the

is

medium
all

register

Medium
^^'^^'"'

The medium

equal in extent in
is

strength and quality.

It

female voices, and differs only frequently weak and veiled its extent in practice
;

in
is

from

tfk

^^
.

the notes below being devoid of power.

tJ

Q.

^What of the head

is

register

Head Register

A.

This register

the

highest,

and

its

sonority

is

the

most remarkable,

particularly in sopranos.

It invariably

begins on one of the notes in this third.*

its

ij

r^

Contraltos

Cto

not often possess more than a third of

extent

-&
mezzo-sopranos
rise as

far as

^^ ~

and sopranos, of whose voice

it

is

distinctive, rise to its limits, generally

/U
t)

(for rare

high notes see page 10)

Q. A,

How
I.

do you compare the three registers ? The medium notes are weaker and more veiled than the corresponding

Comparison of

Regist^

chest notes.
2. They cause a comparatively much greater loss of breath, which is the Requiring a less vigorous contraction of the glottic reason of their veiled quality. lips than the chest notes, a relative relaxation of the vocal cord is felt when the

voice peisses from the chest to the

3.

medium on
is

Tne
is

point of sensation for the

the same note. same sound emitted

felt

{i.e.

mixed

tone.

H.K.)
point,

alternately

by the two
this

registers

not

identical, for there

a sudden displacement
this

of

accompanied by a shock of the larynx, and

higher the note
4.
is.

sensation

is

the

more marked the

in

Though

theoretically these

two registers! may have a ninth

common, from

to

D flat,

practice only admits a third

i w

s>-

The beginning

"mixed tone" forming the bridge between the medium and head i The chest and medium.

of the head register within the limits of this interval should be understood to imply the blending notes or (Note. K.) registers.


JO
5.

HINTS ON SINGING.

following results

The comparison of the medium and the head registers will give us the The medium does not possess the same power of penetration as The difference shows itself at once from the point of junction. In the head register. in weak or unhealthy organs the robust organs, the two registers blend with ease The first two or three notes are inclined to break. This uniofi is often troublesome. Here is a table showing how the (s one of the difficulties in the contralto voice.
: ;

registers are distributed


HINTS ON SINGING.

II

And

here

is

a table of the combined extent of the

Head.^

human

voices
If?-

m^

Chest.

"C

i m
*'

22;

:aE

:4te2:

= ^

-^. This 5th is very iz rare, and when not spontaneous must never be attempt-

^ _ =
th-i

Table of
Voices.

Human

ed.

.^. Medium.

Q.

Why do

you give

several notes to indicate the limits of

registers

A.

Because the

limits are not invariable

Q. Can a teacher change at will mezzo-soprano into a soprano, or raise the pitch of a baritone to that of a tenor ? A. The experiment has been tried, and, when the subject has been young and vigorous, a short success has seemed to justify the attempt, but, if not stopped in time, the final result has been the inevitable ruin of the voice.
8.

and depend on the state of the vocal cords. the pitch of a voice and turn a c6ntralto or

Altering a voice

TIMBRE.
Varieties of Ti'mire.

meant by Timdre f A. Every sound of the voice may assume an from intensity. Each of these is a timbre.
Q.
is

What

infinite variety of

shades apart
How
produced

Q. A.

What
They

produces the variety of timbres?

are due,
first,

to

permanent causes that

third, to

affect

the voice of each

;

individual, such as the constitution, age,

health or disease of the vocal apparatus

secondly, to the action of the glottis

the changes of form in the tube which

the sounds traverse. Q. Can you explain these changes? A. The path of the sound, being formed of elastic and movable parts, varies its dimensions and forms in endless ways, and every modification even the slightest

has a corresponding and definite influence on the voice.

Q.
A.

How

is

a student to select from

among

these intricacies of timbre?

Open and
7 imSres.

closed

The timbres mav

be divided into two classes, the clear (bright), or open, and the

These two opposite qualities are obtained principally through the agency of the larynx and the soft palate. The movements of these two organs are always in a contrary direction. The larynx rises when the soft palate falls, and when The high vault produces the dark timbres, the the larynx falls, the soft palate rises. arch rises when we are in the act of yawning, and lower arch the clear ones. The
dark or closed.
falls

when we

are in the act of swallowing.

Clair
iBright).

Open Timbre

Closed Timbre Sombre

(Dark).

Fig.
Fig. 12.
Vertical section from the front to the back of the head, showing depression of the soft palate and a high

13.
soft palatp

Diagram of the same parts, showing the raised and the larynx depressed.

position of the larynx.

IZ

HINTS ON SINGING.

Sh
Fig.
14.

%
Fig.
15.

The

space between the tongue and the palate as

seen through the mouth during the production of the dear (or brigbt) timbre.

space between the tongue and palate aug mented during the production of dark timbre.

The

Q.

What

exercise will give

command over

the various timbres f

A. This: In the same breath, on the same note, and on each of the vowels a, e, i, o, the student must pass through every shade of timbre, from the most open The sounds must be maintained with an (or bright) to the most closed (or dark). equal degree of force. The following table shows what change each vowel undergoes the process must also be inverted : in passing from clear to dark
;

A
E

approximates to

o.

eu in French. u in French. I u in Italian. O The Italian I and the French U in the head and high chest notes must be rounded rather more than in speaking, or their tint would be unpleasant. Carried to excess, these timbres would render the voice respectively hoarse and hollow, or harsh and trivial, like the quack of a duck. The student should thoroughly understand that the ring or dulness of sound is

and mechanism, completely distinct from the open and closed timbres. ringing and dulness are produced in the interior of the larynx, independently of the position, high or low, of this organ, while the open or closed qualities of the voice require the bodily movement of the larynx, and of its antagonist the soft
in effect

The

Hence, any timbre may be bright or dull.* This observation important for the expressive qualities of the voice.
palate.

is

most

9.

PREPARATION FOR EMITTING THE VOICE.

Q. How do you prepare for emitting the voice ? A. By giving attention to the position of the body, the separation of the jaws the shape of the throat, and the breathing. How would you describe the position of the body ? Q. A. The body must be straight, well planted on the feet, and without any other support the shoulders well back, the head erect, the expression of the face calm. Should the mouth be opened wide as a means of obtaining power and beauty Q.
;

of sound

This is a common error. The mouth should be opened by the natural fall of the jaw. This movement, which separates the jaws by the thickness of a finger and leaves the lips alone, gives the mouth an easy and natural form. The tongue must be kept limp and motionless, neither raised at the point nor swollen at the root. The exaggerated Finally, the soft palate must be raised as in taking a full breath. opening favours neither low nor high notes. In the latter case it may help the the face loses charm and the voice vocalist to scream, but that is not singing assumes a violent and vulgar tone. The real mouth of a singer ought to be considA.
;

ered the Pharynx

Compare observation on "Rin^infj and Veiled
Sounds.'" page
7.


LIBRA"

HINTS ON SINGING.
Q. A.

I3

Why

so

Because it is in the pharynx that is found the causation of timbres. The Still, if this door were facial mouth is but a door through which the voice passes. not sufficiently open, sounds could not issue freely. Q. How can you regulate the opening of the mouth ? A. Those who find it difficult either to diminish or increase the opening of the mouth will do well to place laterally between the jaws, from back to front, a small
oiece of

Q.

wood not thicker than a pencil. Are there other defects of a similar kind
Yes.

}
;

Defects.
;

A.

the lips for

Pushing the lips out like a funnel protruding the jaws the sake of showing fine teeth, and knitting the brows.

separating

Q. What is the remedy ? i,^^^^^ A. The chin might be held back by a band of paper round the neck, and pinned through the ends in front of the chin. This band, which ought not to be wider than a finger, acts, of course, as a reminder. Any one afflicted with these or kindred habits should sing before a mirror. Q. Have you anything to add to what has already been said about breathing? Manner of '^^' '"^' A. It may be added that when the lungs are completely filled with air, the natural tendency is to be quickly rid of the super-abundance. Consequently the sounds at the then they become weaker with the lessening of start are strong and often unsteady The majority of musical phrases demand the opposite method. On this the breath. account, the pupil should begin with a small amount of pressure, increasing it graduThe even flow of a long phrase, a long passage of ally as the supply of air diminishes. agility, the stability of a long note, all require a continuous and well-managed
;

pressure of the diaphragm.

locale to be considered ? pressure is especially felt in large steady Certainly. The necessity for a out in jerks does not travel. given Air halls and in places bad for sound. gradually puts in motion the contrary, the moderate and prolonged pressure, on given in this manner, if not sound, faintest the whole mass of circumambient air

Q. A.

Is not the size

and sonority of the

Sze oiucait.

drowned by the accompaniment, will reach the ears of the most distant {Maria Celloni.) sa respirare sa cantare."
10.

auditor.

"

Chi

THE ATTACK OF VOCAL SOUNDS.

'

Q. A. Q. A.
to

What follows after the preparation above noted ? The actual articulation or " stroke " of the glottis. What do you mean by the stroke of the glottis ? The neat articulation of the glottis that gives a

cVottrs."
=^=

precise

and clean

start

a sound. Q. How do you acquire that articulation? A. By imitation, which is quickest of all but in the absence of a model, let it be remembered that by slightly coughing we become conscious of the existence and The stroke of the position of the glottis, and also of its shutting and opening action. in that it needs essentially differing though the cough, similar to somewhat glottis is The lightness of air. of the impulse the lips not the and of action delicate the only
;

* It is of the utmost importance that these observations should be careful studied and correctly understood. The meaning been seriously misrepreof the term "stroke of the glottis," which was invented by the author (French couP de la glotte). has a physical act of which there should sented, and its misuse has done a great deal of harm. To the student it is meant to describe precise and clean start be merely a mental cognizance, not an actual physical sensation. The "articulation" which gives the clem, It is the sound itself, the attack of the note, begmnmg to a sound" is not/e in the throat (i.e.. the larynx) of the singer. the natural act ot beyond any sort action of clear, and true, upon the middle of that note, without preliminary movement or
:

simply to aid the A'.B.-The suggestion of an analogy between the stroke of the glottis and the act of coughing is intended to even think of its application, student in locating the position and realising the functions of the glottic lips. There is no need K^ when articulating or attacking a vocal sound. {Note.

14

HINTS ON SINGING.
is

Once under considerably facilitated if it be tried with the mouth shut. object of this is The vowel any on open mouth the with used stood, it may be to a note or the slurring up of defect the from free be should sounds start the thai at

movement

noise of breathing.

Q. A.

These
Q. A.

are the principal qualities of a good tone ? Perfect intonation, absolute steadiness of sound, and beauty of timbre. be considered as the tripod of qualities indispensable to good style

What

may

voice production.

How
With

are sounds to be attacked

The Italian vowels, a, e, as the stroke of the glottis just described. bring out all the ring of the voice. will They iri the words alma, sempre, must be used. is best manner of developThis the force. in equal The notes must be kept full and
ing the voice.
duration.

At

first

the exercise must not

exceed two or three minutes

in

do you not use what is called the " messa di voce " > " messa di voce " requires a singer to be expert in the control A. The At this elementary stage it would cause only fatigue timbres.* and o{ breath of the
Q,
use of the

Why

10.

FEMALE VOICES.THE CHEST REGISTER.

register
is it

Q.

On what

best to

commence

Unless one of the registers requires special care (as when the medium is If the former particularly weak) the singing of tones may begin on the chest or medium.

A.

be adopted, the notes from

yet
it

gjt

in contraltos,

seldom

offer

any

difficulty

sometimes happens, when the voice has not been exercised, that medium notes only can be obtained.
Q.

What
The

is

the cause

.?

A.

lips

of the glottis do not

should be tried
first.

come

into close contact.

These notes
e

m i
efficaciously

If the (Italian)

vowels a and

should not act

on the

glottis,

the vowel

should be employed with firmness, but without

violence.
Development of
Chest-Tone.

Q.

Will this method suffice

ringing quality characteristic of these notes doubtless will appear The first sound being well established, the study should proceed after a few trials. or F sharp in descending, and to E in ascending. by semitones to G

A.

The

The next
and
fives,

step

is

to

group these sounds within the range by twos,

threes, fours

thus : t

See " Messa di Voce," page 39. u. v u i . Sopranos would begin a tone or even two tones higher, but in tnai + This exercise is chiefly intended for low voices. case limit the study to three or four notes, so as not to carry the chest voice too high. {Note, H. K.)


HINTS ON SINGING.

15

^^m.
The same
exercise

:^z:i^

^^
A
;

may be tried beginning on flat and A natural. long at a time should beginners sing ? Length of Q. A. Not longer than 4 or 5 minutes but this may be repeated three times a Beginner"' If it causes the slightest fatigue it must be stopped at once for the rest of the day. day. Q. Are the chest notes above E difficult in women's voices ? Limitation of A. Women, whose vocal cords are one third shorter than those of men, have it^gfster" greater facility than any tenor for producing the chest notes above E but that part of the voice, constantly employed (as happens in music written for women) would in a comparatively short time iniure the whole instrument and reduce it to the state of

How

a "broken

voice."

{See below

"Abuse

of the Chest Register").

11.

THE MEDIUM REGISTER.

L^^ka
'" '^e

Q. What is to be done when the medium is veiled, and lets the air escape by continuous a leakage ? A. The leakage is caused by the lips of the glottis being imperfectly closed. The ring can be obtained by attacking with a sharp stroke of the glottis every sound

e of Air

Medium.

of the interval

I 5^
j,
^"1

:^22-

in the Italian vowels,

thus

J'^iJ^

J'\S^ J^^^

-t^^

a simile
e

The Italian i being the most ringing vowel, the same pinching of the glottis* which gives it its brilliancy may be employed to give brilliancy to other vowels. Passing from a ringing to a dull vowel on the same note may also be recommended Ex. ia, ia, ia, ie, ie, ie, io, to, to. to improve the latter. for weakness in the medium besides the nature of the cause any Is there Q. organ A. The abuse of the chest register, which sometimes has so weakened the
:

Abuse of

th

Chest Register.

medium
Q. A.
notes

as to

How
By

it almost disappear, can you restore it ? reversing the study of this portion of the voice and beginning with the The

make

Remedy,

22:

:fe

which

will

be about

all

that can be obtained.

The

student
there

must exercise them

till

they are well established, then descend to the

or

A flat

This expression refers

on

p, 3.

to the closing (and tightening) of the lips of the glottis described in the author's important footnote In the singing of the vowel i (ee) it is quite a natural and automatic process. [Nott. H. K.)


16

HINTS ON SINGING.

the student will do well to stop and to repeat the sounds both separately and in groups of

Two and three

notes, thus

-^

(Zf

g^IZ&XZ

<^

bo

r2_,s>_&c:^

ca

gy

^ g

>

rs?

g ^ G
,

&C.-

I w
Development of Medium Tone.

2z=:fe

22:

22:

:&c^:

'^

"

P fii

zesL

22;

iT&c:

Each group

is to be repeated several times in the same breath. Q. How long must the practice last? A. At least a fortnight. As soon as the pupil can master these notes, the G then the F sharp, F, E, and E flat, or, if possible, D, and even must be attempted The voice will the more easily descend, if the pressure of the breath be weaker. lower. A strong contraction of the chink would infallibly bring back the chest notes. Q. Do you imply that the process just described would only produce dull notes ? A. Just so, dull and veiled notes. But they must be accepted as the outcome
;

until the

medium

Q.

What

A.

We

thoroughly established. done next ? must try to impart to the notes brilliancy and volume.
is
is

to be

That

is

done

by

returning to the practice of the process to correct veiled sounds.

(See preceding page).

What becomes of the chest register during that period } Q. A. During that period, which should last five or six weeks, not one chest note must be used. Q. What is meant by the transition from one register to another ? A. The passing of the voice from the chest to the medium register or the reverse. Nature has sometimes rendered the transition smooth, but in most cases
facility is the result of

long and attentive study.*

?

Q.

Which

is

the best place for the change of registers

A.
rounded,

The
it

best place

is

between the third

-trcr

and,

if the

chest note

is

will assimilate itself to the

medium.

12.

THE HEAD REGISTER.

;,

Unity of Tone-colour through the Scale.

of the head register ? This register forms the purest and brightest portion of the soprano voice but frequently the charming softness, so pleasing in the high notes, is per\'ersely turned into tormenting yells that almost injure the ear of the listener. Q. When singing a long scale, say a twelfth, do you keep the same tint

Q. A.

What

throughout ? A. If the exact timbre-sha.de were retained from top to bottom of a long scale To satisfy the ear with an impression of equality, the effect would be discordant. increase the roundness of the high notes, and must the singer by skilful gradation
reverse the process in descending
*

For exercises

to

be used for blending the chest and

medium

registers, see

page

21.


HINTS ON SINGING.
I?
?
1

QBut does not this method introduce a real inequality in the vowel sound
1 1

Graduation of

A,

It

does

and the apparent equality

ol

the notes in the scale will be the result

-11

^owl Sounds
intheScaie.

Without this manoeuvre, of actual but well- graduated inequality of the vowel sound. which are suitable to the higher notes, would extinguish the the round vowels
ringing of the middle and lower notes, and the open vowels which give iclat to the lower would make the higher notes harsh and shrill. The neglect of this proceeding

causes

many

voices to appear unequal; but,

repeat,

it

must be used with moderation

and

taste.

13.

MALE VOICESGENERAL TREATMENT.

?

Q
A.
Italian

How
vowels

are male voices to be treated

Basses, Baritones,

and Tenors should commence

their daily study with

glottis*

low

and easy notes.

These should attacked with the stroke of the

on the open
Toobtainafree

as they sound in the words alma, fede. should you commence with d>n open timbre? Because, in order to render the voice free and strong, the clear timbre is the A. most efficacious with the vowels just indicated. Basses and baritones should rise as
a, e,

Q.

Why

far as

^
The open and

"^

T"
^
"

tenors to

^
?

^^-,

<rj

^^

iif
I

Q.

Are these high open notes

free timbre,

easily attained

A.

a long, patient,

which sometimes comes spontaneously, demands and careful study from singers who have veiled? their organ too much.
have great
difficulty
in giving the third

Formation of

Those with

this habit

otherwise than veiled, f and even then with effort and fatigue. Q. Can you recommend some other method ? A. The Portamento. (See page 20). The student ought to start from a bright
slur brilliant and ringing. note, and carry the voice to a veiled! one, keeping the notes are also Short scales of three, four, and five notes, commencing from bright

useful.

Q. Are not the chest high notes in clear bright hX"?Ilo'tes. slight veiling of A. When once the organ has been formed to the clear ttjnbre, a quality. the vowel will suffice to relieve the sound of its shrill or sharp last } to study this ought long Q. How least symptom of fatigue or unA. No more than ten minutes at a time, and the
shrill
?

timbre very

easiness should be the signal for a long repose.

14.

FAULTS IN VOICE PRODUCTION.

?

These are the most Guttural sounds, nasal sounds, tremolo, slurring. weeping qualities whining, shrieking, as striking others, such as flat, hollow sounds, or corrected. easily are they of voice,'we only mention in passing, as Guttural Sounds. these faults ? Q. Can you define the most objectionable of the weighs on tongue root of the the when noticed is A, The guttural sound of the sonorous waves. epiglottis, and that organ is pushed into the path

Q.

What
;

are other faults

A.

See note, page

13.

..

The term "veiled" here

signifies

darkened or

^ u i^ > covered. [Note, H. K.)

,,.,,,

I8

HINTS ON SINGING.
Q.
Is there a cure for this defect?

A Remedy.

The tongue must be kept limp, as it is when the yawning, or when breathing through the nose. The vowel " o." or the Italian u " may serve, or the tongue may be forcibly kept in its place by the handle of a spoon. These methods are good, but they require a fixed resolution to keep the tongue absolutely flat, loose, and still. Q. What is the tremolo ? A. The trembling of the voice.* This intolerable fault ruins every style of singing. Q. How is steadiness of sound to be regained when once lost ? A. As it arises from. successive jerks of the diaphragm and the oscillation of the larynx, or both, its correction is obtained by keeping the air submitted to a steady pressure of the diaphragm, and the larynx perfectly quiet while producing a sound. Q. How can you become conscious of the agitation of the diaphragm ? A. Any agitation of that organ is felt in the pit of the stomach, and experience proves that if the latter and the larynx are kept free from agitation, the unsteadiness of the voice ceases but both to be detected by the singer, require a keen observation, and, to be cured, an unyielding will. Q. Is the tremolo difficult to correct } A. It is very slow to cure, especially when it is brought on by the abuse of the chest or head registers. Q. What is a nasal sound ? A. Sounds become nasal when the soft palate is so much lowered that the voice This defect may be detected by pinching resounds chiefly from the nasal cavities. the nose while singing. To correct it, the soft palate must be raised as if yawning. Q. What is slurring the attack of a sound ?
A.
vcry
difficult One.
it

mouth

is

shut, also as

is
'*

in

A.
is

the act of
if

Next to the tremolo, it is the most universal and most distressing fault. It commencing a note by a rising slur. In correcting this habit, we must
If with a vowel, the note the note begins with a vowel or a consonant. a clean stroke of the glottis if with a consonant, the noise of the
;

notice

must

start with

consonant must begin on the exact intonation of the sound.

15.

FATIGUE OF THE VOCAL ORGANS.

ascribe the fatigue of the vocal organs
?

ailments of the vocal organs which concern the Besides the elongated uvula, tumours, polypus, anaemia, &c., tonsils, swollen physician colds, The practice of misdirected study, or overwork. such as causes there are other
different

Q. A.

To what would you

singing three or four hours a day will ruin the most robust organ three half hours a day at long intervals ought to be the maximum of study, and should give flexibility
;

Yet, if this should cause the least appearance of lassitude without risk of fatigue. reduced, or stopped at once. it must be uneasiness, or other symptoms any Are there Q. A. Hoarseness, relaxed throat, languor of the organ, which refuses to execute passages generally possible dryness or heat in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, fatigue after a few minutes' exercise, all these symptoms may quickly disappear after a little rest, with good simple substantial nourishment Should they persist, a doctor
.-'

must be consulted.
Notes of warning are constantly being sounded in the course of this work. All must be sedulously heeded, but none For every defect of method or fault of style a remedy is in this and the succeeding chapters. provided, nor can its value be overestimated. It is clear, however, that the author regards "prevention" as infinitely more vital absolutely latter never certain, whereas, by avoiding mistakes at the outset and The is "cure." of questions than student to the eschewing excesses of every kind, the singer need never apprehend serious trouble and is in a far better position to accomplish the labour essential for becoming a true artist. UVo^e. H. K.)

more than those which appear

HINTS ON SINGING.
Q. A A.

I9
Advantage r Enforced Rests

Will not the voice lose its quality through interruptiner study? r r J j r n .t. 1 he cessation ot work lor days and even for weeks will not occasion the loss on the contrary, after an enforced rest, when work is resumed, actual of past study progress seems to have been made. To insist on singing while the voice is suffering
-ru
.- 1
,

may

produce the worst results. Has the study of the piano any influence on the voice ? Q. A. A bad one if it is prolonged four or five hours a day. This, continued through the period of growth, keeps the vocal organ in a constant agitation, which, though quite imperceptible to the executant, weakens and exhausts the vocal instru-

pfMo"^praciice.

ment
Q. Has ordinary speech any effect on the voice ? A. Singers should be chary of their voices, speak little, and not read aloud. "Clergyman's sore throat" is a well-known result of the latter exercise. "Silence is
golden," should be the singer's device.
sparing in Speech.

Q. A.
scruple.

What is the use of transposition to singers ? To spare the most delicate and precious qualities
It

ran^poMii.m

of their voices, the velveti-

for singers, and ought to be used without be fitted for transposition, and would be disfigured by alterations, it would be better not to sing it than risk forcing the voice. The violent efforts required by a single air might be, and have been, enough to ruin a career. Q. What precautions should a singer take against climatic influences A. He should avoid sudden changes of temperature, never sing in the open air, and when passing from a warm to a cold temperature, especially after singing, he should protect his mouth and breathe through the nose ; in a word, if he desire to attain fame and secure wealth, everyone of his acts must tend to promote the healthy duration of his organ. "Chi dura vince" (He who lasts will conquer) observations to make on food and clothing ? you no Have Q. A. It is hardly necessary to remind the student that without nutritious diet and warm clothing the voice will not endure.

ness and the freshness.

was invented

If a piece should not

.?

fnfT^''"

Food and
Clothins;.

16.

STUDY OF AGILITY.

Q. While the faults of emission are mending, is there any other study to be pursued ? A. The acquirement of agility. Q. How is this to be obtained ? A. By the study of diatonic scales, passages of combined intervals, arpeggios, ^,^j^r<='^s to chromatic scales, turns, shakes, light and shade. Q. How long will this study take ^ A. Not less than two years. Q. Is agility the only result of this study A. When properly directed, it renders the organ flexible, even, mellow, besides whataflexiw* strengthening and preparing it for the florid style as well as for the plain and decla- achieve, matory {canto fiurtto, canto spianato, canto declamato, see page 75). Q. Cannot singers avoid all that trouble ? A. They cannot, but they do. Anyone who wishes to obtain proficiency in the art can no more avoid this amount of study than a violinist, a pianist, or any other
"i

20
instrumentalist
pieces.

HINTS ON SINGING.

A less ambitious singer may be content

if

with ballads or nota e ^arota

But even

the singer be gifted with a fine voice and talent, the organ will
culture,

show the absence of

Good
Vocalization.

by the uncertain and

irregular

manner
}
;

of uniting and

colouring the sounds. Q. What are the elementary qualities of good vocalization

A.
Q. A.

Firstly, perfect intonation

:

secondly, equality of note-value

;

thirdly, equality

of strength
The
Legato, Marcato, Portamento, Staccato and
Aspirato.

fourthly, equality of degree of legato

and
?

fifthly,

harmony of

timbres.

Are

there

many ways
:

of executing passages

There are five ways First, the legato, in which notes should flow distinctly and evenly, " perldes," i.e., smoothly, without either gliding or aspiration. This is the dominant characteristic of good vocalization all the others may be considered as The legato requires no special sign or indication. Next comes varieties of colouring. that an accent should be given to each note. which means This is prothe marcato, slightly on the pit of the stomach, causing a sort of rebound for pressing by duced every sound it may also be obtained by giving a vowel to every sound. This accent, which proceeds from forte to piano, is indicated by placing these signs TTTTTT o"
; ;

a passage


HINTS ON SINGING.
21

The third and seventh degrees of the major scale are often flat, more particularly in All the the augmented fourth, and the perfect 5th in arpeggios. descending dissonances and chromatic intervals also require special care. Must the pupil sing the exercises only in the key of C ? Q. A They may be transposed into as many keys as the extent of the voice will conveniently permit. The pupil must curtail or suppress those which exceed that
;

^fTxeST

extent.
18.

STUDY OF SUSTAINED TONES.

:

Q. A.

What kind of scale is to be used when studying single sounds ? The chromatic scale, comprising the three registers, limited as follows

C/iest register.

This register which,

different

t^ltiliug singi
5>ounds.

in the three voices, contralto,

mezzo-soprano,

and soprano,
for all three.

starts at

points,

must stop on the same note

would injure the organ.

g^

If carried to its

upper limit
register

it

Medium

register.
if

This
this

must begin on

for the three

voices, or lower

possible.

Head register.
beyond

In

elementary study, the head-notes must not be extended

i^^^
generally

for contraltos,

-Q

"^
ss>
for

mezzo-sopranos, or

-f ^\
S^

for sopranos.

Men

employ only the chest

basses

register,

which

in

this

study ought

J=2..

not to embrace more than a twelfth

baritones

IOl.

.2-

tenors

Those who would study

as

in the falsetto will

have to do

it

on

the

same notes

women,
head

this register being, in

childhood.
available,

As

for the

voice, with rare exceptions, very

for tenors.

men, the remainder of the voice of few notes are generally

and these usually

19.

BLENDING THE REGISTERS.

:

Q. A. passage

medium registers to be blended ? bierdin^thT ^"'^ passing repeatedly from the chest to the medium, and vice versdr This ^l^^ lium Registers. will take place on the following exercises
are the chest and

How
By

One Tone.

Half a Tone.

-rzt

On

r
the

I **
same
note.

*^-

arv^^-yr

:&ci

Some

notes,

common

to both registers, are preserved to facilitate the transit

and meet

<he requirements of particular passage-^. At the first succession of notes must be short, and sung very slowly.

Later on a

long succession
the medium

may

reach

= 100 of

metronome.

Care must be taken not

_^__^^___^^^_^.^^^

to aspirate

.^^
if

Although the term mixed tone \voxx mixte) is not used by the author it is obvious ihat these exercises for the lower refiisters were intended for the express purpose of developing and strengthening this particular tone which by correct breathing and well-rounded vowels will iorm usell io perfectly easy and natural manner (Sate H hi

blending Delped


22

'

HINTS ON SINGING.

20.

THE PORTAMENTO.*

Exercise on the Portamento.

i
^

r^_)'._r i-

u ^
xa:

-^^^-f^

::p2==

:^

^-

$ m=^
''^

^
:^
21.

r^:^

^^

_ri

BREATHING

IN EXERCISES.
.?

Brfa"th 'ii"^

Q.

How

do you regulate the breath when singing exercises

it,

Exercise*.

Whcn

the pupil cannot sing an exercise in one breath, he should not take a

hurried inspiration in the middle of

but stop on the

:

first

note of a bar, employing

the rest in refilling the lungs, example

JJ'^dJ
=^-rr-r^n^H^ i S
:e=^

J-y\^

^gi

^^s
^itit jT^*^ it^

zm

^^^^^m
Q. A.
the
first

^
A
hurried

What is the object To accustom the

is

pupil to

of these frequent and long pauses ? fill the lungs slowly and amply.
agitated.
;

inspiration

noisy, short,

and

At

first

the pupil

may

stop after singing

after the third

note of every second bar

or fourth bar.
*

later on it will suffice to stop At the outset the following exercise for the
63..

For remarks on the Use and Characteristics of the Portamento, see pages 58 and

HINTS ON SINGING.
22.

23

PREPARATION OF THE SCALE.

the

Second

i Ez -^
mm
rt
1

Z3SZ

II

II

i|

HINTS ON SINGING.

23.
*

PRACTICE OF MAJOR SCALES.

Ninth.

OcUve.

"Wtiut

Scalm

:a5:

I^=

Twelfth.

Seals Passages.

)=&

P'^^n^i^^
SE

1^

When

taken quickly these scales on the "octave" and "ninth" should always be sun* twice in a breath. (jVote. H.K.)

^
HINTS ON SINGING.
25

^^
F=F

1^^

^^m
^^
fj
j-

--*

^
at^t;

Itl3t

:g:

^
J3=

^^^
:^=?

|:g^^^g^

J=t

^^J^
^^ 121

26

HINTS ON SINGING

/fiV.

^
I

:g\

tJ

=^^^

atit

l^

^
24.

ta:fe^a:

5iF^

PRACTICE OF MINOR SCALES.

Q. A.
Harmonic and Melodic Minor
Bc-ale

Have you any remarks to make on the minor scales ? The 6th and 7th degrees need special care in both scales.

Passages.

P E^.

-^-^

S:

--it-

23:

I
^^t^

li^
^-

TOT

rc3z

^
33:

3t

cc);

r^

^^^

HINTS ON SINGING.
255.

27

RUNS OR

"DIVISIONS."
3ti:^^

i'J'''r'rr

^
i
--

On Two

Notes.

j^'r^^T^^?^ ^*^

ffi

* ^-^ * J
I
i

**^* --^

T'

^*

J ^'

^ J r^-r^ *J * J*J M^t=t*"^*^

I

'

J*^

^_ # ^

On

Triplets.

On Four Noies
up the Scale

iunfi first up.

The runs bearing corresponding numbers on this page and the then down the scale each in a single breath. iSote. H.

next are to be sung in s'X(ssion.

K.)

Thu No

tbould tm

28
)n

HINTS ON SINGING.

Pour Notes
the

wn
eale.

l-y-^rjT-

LLLT

LiS
|

if^lH-^

g^-^rf^?:3:jJ.
^l=ir^=i=i=^

^-T^

^niLl l r^iLi^p^f^^-^^
g

'

^-^^-^^^^

^ ^ ^^^ fe^
^

J.i;JJ"ij3

s^
^ J
1

^
i

S=C

^^
F-

On

Six Notes.

s^
rtfc

-*4-H-

ri

^^^E
Eii

-MM-

Examples.

On

Eif;hi

Notes.*

student

The author intended each line of these runs to be sung in a single breath. Should that be found rather trying at first, tha may take a rapid "half breath" after the fourth group, without, however, interrupting the run by a perceptible pause.

\NoU. H. K.)

HINTS ON SINGING

eii

m
Examplet.

Each
a and
b'.

repetition of tbe following

must be taken a note higher, as shown by Exs.

\*
-

Extended Ranti

30

HINTS ON SINGING.

a^

1^^

:?^

^~JTj^

* J *L

^ J

i^

^^g^^^;^
:^
5

z=^a:

S^

HINTS ON SINGING.

3i

7v

'

*^jjn

1^

3*

HINTS ON SINGING.

^>j;i^jjJ4'Ji^>^4%!
i r^
of
Legato and
Staccato bounds.

:&c.:

V
o
*
I

^-

^P

n=&c=i:

=p

"

iftc

^Tt I^at
forte

*-;
8 notes).

afterwards
fou"

Every note having received an accent, the piano and we interchange the accents (Exs. of 6 and
six, or eight

ought to be alternate, and

Any

other exercise

notes admits of similar combinations.

Q-

^
and

What do you Understand by legato and staccato sounds ? That thcse two efifects may bc Combined as has been seen with the piano

forte.

-jt:g.

t3t

Where

notes are united in groups, the last note of the group must be quitted as soon

as touched.

Q.

What

is

the use of

all

these combinations

A.

They form an abundant

life to

source from which the singer

may draw

the brilliant

colours which will give

his or her style.

Note once more

*

that breath,

where needed, must be taken as previously suggested.*

"Breathing in Exercises." This and the following exercises are intended to be sun rapidly both in the Ugaio and staccato manner. Sopranos should practise them a third higher, and, in working to perfect the aiaccato. limil bemselves chiefly to the head retiister. UVote, H. K.)

Compare

21.

TIINTS

ON

SINGING.

33

On

the Interval

Fouith.

:g

..^

Jr-

-^

rj.

,-
i_


34

HINTS ON PINGINa

Interval of the

Fourth

(cent.)

P~"

27.

ARPEGGIOS.

How are arpeggios to be sung ? In singing arpeggios* the voice must pass with precision and firmness from one sound to another, whatever the distance between, neither aspirating, detaching, nor slurring, but executing the sounds as in playing the organ.
Q.
A.
Advanced
Arpeggio
Exercises.

m^.
I'

a
*^
. |.^^
I

IJi* >l

1
1

*'J*'

t^

M Si*! <*:3t ii^"^- .4.4^

^J

'.

^gy-^
I

^a

jzL-

3l

^^^^^^ ^
?
i
J
may b

Simple arpeggios (sung both legato and staccato) on the notes of the common chord, or inversions thereof, practised with advantage before trying these more advanced exercises. ^Note, H. K.)

HINTS ON SINGING.

3S

^^
^&
^fJt

^^
^
?=:
-"r

5^^:^ itd^^

t
J=

^
I-

**av.

3^

^ ^ 4^ ^^ i w^
fi
^

^
^ ^m
I

f^
:}=:

%!-

J jg.

*J
i I

1*1

fl

36

HINTS ON SINGING.

28.

CHROMATIC SCALES AND PASSAGES.

chromatic scales and passages require any particular attention ? They do. They are only pleasant when absolute purity and firniness oi intonation renders each note of the passage easy of instant compreherion. Dissonances timidly given produce the effect of false notes. In descending chromatic scales we nearly always introduce too many sounds, showing that the intervals have been less than semitones. We facilitate a correct intonation by playing the notes on the piano, and also by grouping them by two, three, and four tones, and fixing in our memory the first note of each group this note, which acts as a land-mark, must
Q. A.
;

Do

fall

Chromatic scales must be studied very slowly and carefully for on a beat weeks and months, and even when sung in public they must not be hurried if
is

caterwauling

to be avoided.

Chrom&Uo
Scale in
Sections.

^^^^*^
^'
On
Octave.

J^

f'

=^

On

Twelfth.


HINTS ON SINGING.

^
le

FigJia^^
J^

^
37

Chromatio
Triplets.

*-*-

-^

^^

nir'

r*

#
I

=t

^m

In these long passages breath must be introduced as indicated on page 22.

J'

'^

i^
J.

J^^t^ * ' "vfi-r

*^l?* *" *

"^^j-"^-^

gs3^vj~rE
^fe-

Chromatio
ArpegCioSi

^g)^^

-^g

|fe

b^

_A^

iSc

,,

b^

t>^

^^

^^-sr^

*-^'^f

mr^-

t=a

^^=tr ^'
!

r^
I I

t;!^

ijyg"

;^P

^
Ji

^^ wrA

.-'4--

I
I

LibJiW

^?^
x^
-*

:f:

^rn^

^s ^S j^^^
r-:

u^' it*r t.T

^^^ U
lO'
(\

^^^^
^^^
Chromatic Cadenza.

R*-

^
3bt
-r*-

^=^
:

^^'- *^

&^S
>

^w
..

^^

A ^ n-a

HINTS ON SINGING.
29.

39
&C..
Sweiiedend

THE "MESSA

DI VOCE,"

REPEATED NOTES,

Are there different ways of emitting sounds ? Besides being equally sustained in any degree of power, sounds may be swelled and diminished, they may receive inflexions, and may be repeated and detached. Q. Will you explain these differences ?
Q. A.

Sound"

A. Sounds of equal power sustain their initial strength with unvarying evenness. Pianissimo sounds, like pianissimo passages, can be sung with the mouth nearly shut Swelled sounds {messa di voce) begin pianissimo and by degrees acquire increasing force till they arrive at their loudest, which should happen at half their length then the process should be reversed. Swelled sounds are indicated thus.
;

==
,

1^11^==^
in

At

first

it

is

necessary to cut this exercise in

it

half, to

swell a
5'^^'^ *' Tenor Voice*.

sound

one breath and diminish

Is
it

in another.
it

Q.

difficult to swell
1

a note while passing on

medmm,
A.
tenors.

or from the
It is

medium
difficult
;

to the chest
but,
tfie

11

from the chest to the

very

once mastered, the change

notes
"TP-

may

be of great use to

They may

practise

on

i w
Q.

-Jhz

-t^Zi^

What

are sounds with inflexions

Sonmk^^tt
**

A.

These consist of a continuous

series of small

diminishing individually, while the series

sounds gradually growing and increases and diminishes as a whole. There

are other differences to be found further on.

free note under a pause is generally swelled and diminished enough, though measured, it receives the same treatment.
Robert* (Meyerbeer)
Barbiere (Rossini).

when long
dim.

iS'nv^j^
va
I

f^'^yl
va
!

K^
spun
-

Use of the Messa di Voce

^-JT^

-riz^
ta
la

bel

la

Text.

It
spun

22
la

ta

bel

la

I^ ^-^
"

Mitratu (Ros0. Larghetto. jt

Long,

^^
4
-

*
in

'

^ ^ ^~-Cz I^^ ' "j

I^;

The
notes
strictly

last

three

must

be

me

in

spi

ra

to

me

spi

ra

to

equal in value and well accented.

Undulated sounds

"

are each slightly swelled and diminished with

a dying pro- ^""j^^

longation.
Crociato (Meyerbeer)

L'as

pt

to

40
Repeated Note..

HINTS ON SIMGINU.
QA.

What

are repeated notcs?

series of equal repetitions of the

same note

that otherwise
legato.

would have

been sustained.

Repeated sounds unlike detached ones must be

They are obtained by articulations of the glottis, each producing a very rapid appoggiatura of less, if possible, than a semitone. Aspirations must be carefully
avoided.

Q. A.
Q.

Is this sort of
It
;

passage

still

in

use

A.

was nowadays a single repetition of a note is only heard. Have you any other method of repeating sounds ? The aspiration is employed, but only when one repetition is to be made.

l -j^TT^in
stac&uo^'
Sounds.

^ r

'
I

,^

p^r '-n;-^a=m
!30ca
mer

Ad ob

te

ne

re

vos

tre

oi

"Detached sounds"* must cease as soon as emitted;

brilliant voices.

they are appropriate only to

m ^
Variatioo of

Mme.

Persiani.

i&c

=s^
piii

^^^
non

e
to

Nel
CrvcimU (M ryvlMerV

cor

* ^

Oh

t^""'
glio
!

^
l

an

US^cor,
>

P
.

f
cor,
t'at

xio

so

^=^
ten

rmiFi\t fm/it fm.^^ ^

dean

do

ao

t'at

ten

de,

t'at

ten

de

30.

SMALL (OR GRACE) NOTES.

Q.

Do

you make any

A.

They

distinction among small or grace notes ? are classified as single and double appoggiature ^ acciauxzlure, gruppettt,

battuta e ribattuta digola.

* More commonly called "Staccato" sounds or notes. As a study for their facile execution, the singer should practita ataccato the groups of notes given as exercises for the " fort-pino " on page 32. UVo/. H. K.)

HINTS ON SINGINC

41
The
Appocgiats

Q. What are appoggiature ?* A. Notes foreign to a chord. These notes are placed at a distance of a second The appoggiature, as above or below a real note on which they generally resolve. Every note has four their Italian name implies, are notes on which the voice leans. appoggiature, which are the four surrounding sounds at half a tone and a tone above
or below.

Q.
A.
ever
is

What determines the choice ? The descending appoggiatura

in the

is

taken at half a tone or a whole tone, whichis

degree of the scale

the rising appoggiatura

seldom taken,

in

modern
as

style,

at

tone distance.
is

In

some cases a note of the chord

?

serves

an
IndicatiM

appoggiatura.

Q. A.

How

an appoggiatura indicated

Q. A.

By a small note. What is its value } In common time it

if

and Value.

principal note be dotted, or

thirds of the value.

If the takes half the value of the note it ornaments. the measure be in triple time, the appoggiatura takes two-

This

little

note

may
is

value

when the duration

of the latter

even absorb the whole of the principal note's Finally, the appoggiatura prolonged by a tie

must sometimes be very quick Q. Can you continue your description } A. The acciaccatura consists of two rapid descending notes ornamenting a
note.

The

third

Acdaccatura

The gruppetto, or turn, presents the combination of the descending and ascending appoggiature with the pnncipal note the gruppetto never exceeds a mmor third, and should always be crisply executed.
.

**4

1't'ij

Exercises oo
the Turn,

Q.

How
It

is it

introduced

where placed
in the

A.

may

be placed at the beginning,

73.

middle, or at the end of a note.

For application ( the Appoggiatura see pages 66 and

42
(RoMim). Text.

HINTS ON SINGING.
Turn on
.

the

banning
r

of

th^.

note.

xecutioiL

_
-

The Turn
Illustrated.

^
Text.

Tut
Creation (Haydo).

to

sor

'

ri

de

re,

tut

to

sor

Turn

in the

middle of the note.

Execution.

Not so

correctly.

fcjp^
g| r.'^.
De-light

^"^ 1

\-r^ -^'i>^
.

-i^ 1

ii

r'l^j;
ish'd

ful

to

the

rav

ish'd sense,
X-

ish'd sense,

Semirmid <i*
(Rocstni).

lurn. Ee Qg tum. Ending

^.^^

*s

^e=br,

J-'.

J
-

As

pi

rar

sol

oea

le

i?MMW (Zugartlli).

nel

for - tu -

na

to

li

Turn and
Acciaccatura.

MmtrimoHU SegrtU (Cimarow). Paolino.

HS
1)1

m
ia

' ^ 1 ^

3t

T3C

' i J i

'
,

V/
I'au
-

che spun

tein

ciel

ro

ra

in

ciel,

I'au - ro

^S m
Incomplete Turo.

I
I

-r-

I
i
I

=t=
J j
,.
I

i^

If the

executant be not very careful in singing this ornament, the principal

note at the end will disappear, and this passage

will

become
Acciaccaucn

^^p 5
r-nrrV'Tf^'^'-T^i f^r Ad
ot
pie
i

31.
IVSbaka.

THE SHAKE OR

TRILL.

Q. A. A rapid, equal, and distinct alternation of two notes at the distance of a major or minor second, according to the position of the trill in the scales. Q. How is it produced ? A. By a very loose and swift oscillation of the larynx. The note that bears the shake is marked with the initial tr it is called the principal, and always combines with the second above at a tone or half a tone. The second note is called the auxiliary a third note placed at a second below the principal is also employed as a preparation and termination of the trill.
is
?
;
;

What

a shake

MndpaL

Aiudliary.

R"m

/L

Tenaioadoa.

*?

HINTS ON SINGING.
Q. A.
but

43
r

What form
If the

is

given to
will

trills in

diatonic succession

TritbinDiatofii*

movement

Saccenion

allow

it,

every

trill,

either in the diatonic scale or in a

;

succession of disjointed intervals, receives the regular preparation and termination if the movement be too animated, each trill starts with the auxiliary note, the last trill alone ending in the regular way. The student must be able to submit every trill to strict measurement, and even to distinguish and count every pulsation.
Anna BoUna
(Donizetti).

Shake on diatonic

scale.

^ ^Sl
col

tr

tr
jf

pe
-

^\

V:.

J%

>1t^iJ/, life

^
-

'/\
si

=^
da
Shake oa

don

no

sul lab

bro

seen

La Gazsa Ladra
(Rossini.)

P^.
Q. **
A.
note
;

^.
lie
-

''^^
to
gioi

*.J

Diatonic distances

piu

no

How

are

trills in

chromatic scales executed

Jf^*" Lhroir.atie
.

In ascending a chromatic scale, each trill commences from the auxiliary in descending, it may begin with the principal note, or with a skip of a third.

^^l^^

tr

Shake turn.

Q.

WTiat
is

is

a shake-turn

A.
the turn

The shake-turn

consists in two beats of tlie shake ending with a turn. suppressed, there remains the double beat {ribattuta di golci).

If

Stfntlt. (Handel)


44
Shake with

HINTS ON SINGING.
tnrn.

tr

i^^^^
his

.S

^ *

q^:-3J

qj3a:."'j"jfj*"j^

war

Execution.

I
RerfoobUd TriS.

f :5c
his

r
I

g * ^
is

'I

'I

J ^ r
trill

Simile.

war

Q.

What
It
is
trill

a redoubled

or shake

?
trill.

A.

redoubled

the result of inserting certain notes in the midst of a is indicated by the sign ^v.
Repeated shake.
/TV
r^s

The

i
Termination.

<<

32:
:t^=tc

1f==^
-

di

gio

ja

pal

pi

tar

pal

pi

tat

If the inserted notes are not produced with the utmost neatness, rapidity, precision of values, and correctness of intonation, the effect is ridiculous. Q. Must the shake always be regularly prepared and terminated } Preparation and

A.
paration,

Formerly the shake was always preceded by a more or and regularly terminated. Thus

less elaborate pre-

(f^r,,_.^j|.r:,^r:;.nj

tr

Ti-

^H)^
It

ought to be prepared and ended regularly when

it is

long.

pr-T

When the shake occurs at the end of a descending scale, leave out the preparation
:

it is

not inelegant to

i r^
Defects of the
Trill.

JQ

0L^

^ S T^^
tr

3C^

4-

^^:^ ^=0st^

P==^
lie -

EE
ta

?s
che
I'a

^
ci

n &
sis

^
ril

spe

pur

mor

as

te

are the defects of the trill ? False intonation, caused by the intervals being too narrow or too wide rattle of the glottis or short aspirations, producing the trill known as trillo caprino 01 cavaUino ; jerks of the diaphragm instead of glottic action and the drawing in of the In singing voice as soon as the oscillations begin, which causes a disagreeable noise. a trill the voice ought not to be drawn in, but decidedly pressed out with the same evenness of timbre as if it were a single sound.

Q. ^^

What

A.

Hl^TS ON SINGING.

45

PART
32.

II.

SINGING COUPLED WITH WORDS.

the subject of a singer's training
?

Q. A.

Have we exhausted
Certainly not.

Furfhe^sLdj

Q. A.

What further studies are required ? The study of articulation, phrasing,

expression, and the knowledge of

different styles.

Q. Of what importance are words to melody } A. Music, though the language of the emotions, can only arouse them in a vague and general manner. To express any particular feeling or idea we must make use of words. Hence the importance for the singer of delivering these with the utmost distinctness, correctness, and meaning, under the penalty of losing the
attention of the audience.

importance

of

Meiody.

Q. A.
the
result

What

are the elements of words

Wo^I"'*

Vowels and consonants.

The vowels

vocal tube assumes while traversed

from the obstacles opposed to of the mouth. Q. How many vowels are there ? A. Though grammarians admit generally nine
unlimited.
i

are moulded by the shapes which the consonants by breath or by sounds the issuing sounds or breath by the organs
;

(in Italian),*

the

number

is,

in fact, Vowei sound*,

Q.

How

is

this

>

'

A. The mouth being formed of elastic and movable organs, has an unlimited power of modifying its shape and capacity, and each change is a mould whereby d particular vowel is formed. Q. Is there any analogy between vowels and timbres ? b^wl'en voweu A. The most intimate. We know that the changes of form in the vocal tube ^""^ ^""^'**determine analogous changes in the timbre. Vowel-shades and timbres are but two
different

names

to express the

same modifications

of sonority in the voice.

The

mutual dependence between Pharynx, Timbres, and Vowels is that a change in one produces corresponding changes in both the others, ^ Q. Is the great variety of timbres of any practical use ? rfmw"" A. They are the physiognomy of the voice. They tell the involuntary emoticns which affect us, and assume a more clear or covered tint, a timbre more brilliant oi
result of this

more obscure, according to the nature of those feelings. Q. Can you explain by any examples A. Vowels will not preserve the same shade of sound
.?

Examples.

in a

as in mockery, in anger as in joy, in regret as in prayer, or in take the air " In native worth " [Creation), or "Endless pleasures" {Semele)
brilliant effect to

phrase of tenderness menace, &c. Let us

;

the bright

in open timbre, which would give a As a Paul). further {St. in "Jerusalem" "Deeper and deeper still" {Jephthah),ox " Are you coming ? " to be put by an imperious illustration, let us suppose the question In each case the same accomplice. threatening or a master, or an entreating lover, ring. vowels would assume a different Q. Would not the modification of vowels disfigure the language ? welf"""' That might be objected, but the answer is that in the utterance of a thought their mutual relation remains all the vowels are modified in the same proportion

both,

would sound vulgar

The sounds referred to are a (ah); In the first edition these vowels were quoted, but not in a comprehensible form. and u (as in cool). These are single vo*el i (as in bale); e (as in bell); (ee); b (as in hot); o (as in old); u (as in wool) H. K.) (Note. category. in separate a counds; diphthongs stand
: ;


46
unaltered
;

HINTS ON SINGING.

only as a whole have they taken the tint harmonizing with the passion expressed. landscape lighted by the sun or darkened by the clouds presents quite different aspects, yet every object keeps its place and outline all unchanged.

33.
vo^tsounds.

MECHANISM OF THE VOWELS.

some
indications regarding the
,
e,

Q-

Can you

give

mechanism of vowels ?
{alma,

A. To zeffiro, vortice), and the English a (arm) and o (glory), it is required first that the jaw should be drooping loosely, secondly that the vocal arch should be expanded. The tongue should be flat and limp for the , hollowed at the back for the o, and somewhat raised in the middle for the e {tregua). The closed / {nero) needs that the discance between the tongue and palate should be lessened, and that the edges of the tongue should touch the upper teeth at the sides. When the kalian and English i (io), ee (free) are to be uttered, the tongue still further reduces its distance from the palate, while its edges are pressed between the lower and upper molars. The closed o {volpe, correre) is the result of the expansion of the arch coupled with a very moderate rounding of the mouth. The increase of this movement will produce the Italian u and the
produce both the Italian vowels
o

English oor
Accent on

Q.

A.

What do you understand by the word accent The importance given to a vowel in a word. Among the various
.-"

inflexions of

the voice, distinguishable in different languages, there are two which most arrest our attention the grammatical and the pathetic. The first is the prolongation of certain
:

vowels

in

the word {accente tonico of the Italian), for example

Nessun maggior dolore Che ricordarsi del tempo
Nella miseria.

felloe

Dante.

Live for to-day

to-morrow's light,

To-morrow's cares shall bring to sight

^JOHN Keble.

In singing a melody
Functions of the Vowels.

we have

the sound and the timbre.

to add to the prolongation the elevation, the intensity of These three characteristics constitute the pathetic accent
?
..
f.

Q, 7* A.
accent,

What

are the functions of the vowels

Intonation, sustaining of the voice, expression or quality of timhre^ tonic

and vocalization are

ail

entrusted to the care of the vowel.

34.
Definition.

MECHANISM OF THE CONSONANTS.

"What IS the mechanism of consonants } A. We have seen that consonants spring from the obstacles presented to issuing sounds by the organs of the mouth, viz.: lips, teeth, tongue, hard palate, soft palate, These organs combined in couples intercept every issue of sound, or partially &c. When the passage is completely closed the air accumulates behind the arrest it. organs, and it is only at the moment of separation that the consonant is heard as an

explosion.
The Italian vowels being the purest and easiest that can be used for vocal purposes, they very properly serve as the fundamental basis for the study of tone-production and for the first attempts at "Singing coupled with Words." This does not mean, however, that our English vowels are formed or sounded upon a different principle. The contrary is the case. But there is this important distinction between the two languages, that, whereas the Italian vowels are all single sounds, the English (with one exception the e) consist of double sounds or diphthongs. Hence the latter require more care in order to produce the correct proportion, balance, or combination of the respective sounds which form the vowel or diphthong, whilst preserving in full measure the identical volume of tone and beauty of timbre that would be obtained upon the single "free" Italian vowel. A good ear, refined utterance, and clever imitation will alone enable the student to obtain the desired result and so achieve a perfect pronunciation of the English language in singing. (Note. H. K.)


HINTS ON SINGING.
Q.
A.

47
vauietie*.

What
/, py

are the consonants thus produced

t,

ch (as in chin),

k.

Each two organs can only produce one

?

explosive

consonant.

Q
A.

What

are the other consonants

If the

organs permit an issue from the mouth or nose, the noise of the consonants can continue as long as the breath. Thus are produced the Besides the explosives and the permanent conson/, m, , th, r, s, s/i, w, x, y, gl, gn. ants, other consonants, called semi-explosives, share the characteristics of both series. They produce a slight murmur which lasts during the very short time taken by the vocal cavity to fill itself with air. These are g (hard), b, d, j\ It is during this resounding that they must be articulated so as not to be mistaken for their corresponding explosives.*
Q. A.
1.

The permanent.

What

are the functions of the consonants ^ Consonants are the skeletons of words Applied to song, they have three
:

Functions of the Consonant*.

distinct functions

2.

To convey the sense of words. To beat time and mark the rhythm by
NoMMt di Figmr0
(Morart).
j.
.

their percussions.

:t2=^
NonAeu and GalaUa
(Handel).
piii

an-drai

far

fal - lo

ne

a-mo-

ro

so,

(',

C~~t
O

^
-

:i2=tc
the

^^
O
sweet
-

rud

dier than

cher

T.

er

than

the

ber

ry.

3.

Through

their varied degrees of

energy they declare the state of activity of

its

the sentiment, just as the vowels manifest

Don Juan
(Morart).

nature.

Allegro assai. REGIT.

E
-H-q- * M ^g-rlJ-

=^=?=

--^ S ^r
-

O De

i,

^
^ #
>

S^=
-P

-fe-

T
l? j^

<

JJ'

U 3tlt
-^K-

S
-=r
* Pupils

^^ F

:^:^^

-=t^

--

r
its

^
b5

i^^H-

w-w-

ought to practise each consonant to obtain the correct mastery of

articulation. (A'o^e by the Author.)

48

HINTS ON Singing.

q_^
O

^
^
U'

=F

^
Que
-

V- iM
gli ^
il

^* r

De

i.

car

g St:

*]'.^

;:
:

ET
I

&

iic

*:^t

:^r:

^
-^^'-^

-F

t*-


HINTS ON SINGING.
and
precise, the

49

consonants will be less rapid in a vast locality than in a small onCf are produced, without exception, by prolonging the silence double consonants The which precedes the explosion, as in trop-po, tut-to, and ec-co and by maintaining through the sounds the noise which forms the permanent consonant, as in bel-la, This also is the case when a consonant which ends a word begins the colon-na.
;

word that follows non negar, do not touch, a song gives pleasure. Have you any other remarks to make on consonants ? Q. A. A few on the letters /, m, n, r, d. When they terminate the syllables, if The letters w, n. indistinctly given, the meaning of the word is obscured or lost. receive the nasal twang by closing the mouth with the lips for the letter m, and by The r ought to be rolled when it is an initial, as in r-age, the tongue for the letter n.
r-iver
;

Use

of certain

Consonants.

when

it is

double, as in ter-ror, or

when united with another consonant

to form

In any other case it must be produced by a a syllable, as in pro-digious, gr-ace. This rule, which belongs to the Italian single touch of the tongue against the teeth.

language,

is

applicable to English in singing.

lb.

Q.

STEADINESS OF SOUNDS COUPLED WITH WORDS. How do you define steadiness of sound
-0

Definition.

and continuous flow of sound, free from every sort of tremor or quavering. This definition holds good with words or without. Q. How does the want of skill in articulation aflfect singing ? A. If the singer has not carefully analysed and completely mastered the mechanism which produces vowels and consonants, the words, besides being indistinctly and incorrectly delivered, create obstacles which impede the smooth and harmonious flow Moreover, the act of articulation (if not of voice and the facile formation of timbres. well under control) causes a distinct jerk for each syllable, producing agitated and
firm

A, 'A

Steady Flow dl Tone.

detached sounds.
Q.

How

is

steadiness of sound to be regained

when once lost?*

Exercise to secure
Steadiness,

A. The remedy is obtained by keeping the larynx firm and the current of ait uninterrupted from note to note, from syllable to syllable, as if the series of sounds were a single and continuous note. Intoning might prove a remedy. Thus:

i S>

The


so
Figaro di figi ifOKU u at
(Mozart).

HINTS ON SINQING.

I
Voi

S
-

^
pe
-

=F=F
mor,

33 yi=^ ll
Don- ne ve
-

^f r^c^ lT
l -

che sa

te

che

co-sai a

de

te

s'l6

I'ho nel

cot

Redistribution of Syllables or

Words.

always possible to keep the words as the composer has placed them ? high notes have to be sung on unfavourable vowels or articulations, or when too many words embarrass the swift flow of vocalization, the singer is at liberty does not distort the sense. to displace and even suppress certain words, provided he

Q.

Is

it

When

For example *

i?3?rrr^n
e cen- to
fa
-

r6 gio

trap car

^
rem
Fi

Attack of high

If

it

consoMnt

up

to or breaking

be necessary to place a consonant on a high note, there is the danger of slurring on that note. This may be averted by beginning the sound with

the noise of the consonant.

if jiziz

^
tjOh
I
-

Aiso.r

:^
oh
Jovo

Jove

P>

ve,

Contraction of
Towdl.""*"^*

In Italian

it

happens frequently that syllables are

in excess

of the places assigned to

them. This difficulty, caused by the vowels, is easily overcome by contracting two or more, as the case may be, into one syllable. This contraction is regulated by the presence or the absence of an accented vowel. If one of the number be accented, it forms a distinct syllable with any other that may precede, and the vowel or vowels All other consecutive non-accented that follow, if any, form a second syllable (a). vowels are drawn into one syllable {b). In example (f), the note D represents three
notes.
* This permission applies more especially to the florid Italian or Handelian arias. the singer in this respect, as their modem interpreters know to their cost. (Mote, U, K.)

The

old composers

bad

little

mercy on


HINTS ON SINGING.
51

33=3=
Ca
ri

3
luo

h
1

N
pn

^
mian^ni

4=5
di

aba
tel

ghio vio

pas

sa

^
mi
a

5^B
1^:

us

i w

Vi^
da
pot

-6^--V

f f r

TUO

pro

37.

PHRASING.

Regular and Q. Is all music subject to regularity of form ? Irregular Form. When A. By no means. Music is both regular and irregular in its form. In this case the submitted to the recurrence of symmetric accent it is regular. rhythmic instinct reigns supreme, as in verse. When free from regularity of accents, rhythm, and cadences, it is irregular, and, like prose, follows in its development metres of different length, obeying the impulses of inspiration.

Q.

Could you name any examples?

Musical Prose,

A.

The

following pieces
"

Caddi e ver " (Resurezzione), Handel, "Dignare" (Te Deum), Handel, "Tutta raccolta" (Ezio), Handel,

yet more complete example of liberty in melodic prose is to be found in chants and recitative. These, while obeying the rules oi prosody are independent of all rhythmic regularity or symmetry. Q. What is phrasing ? A. It may be simply to carry out the musical punctuation, or it may be, taken in a wider sense, to give to each phrase its proper effect in the general conception of
are fine specimens of musical prose.

Objects in Phrasing.

a piece.

Q. With these two objects in contemplation, what are the principal subjects to which the student must devote his attention ? A. Prosody, rhythm, the formation of the phrase, thechoice of breathing-places, expression and style. What do you mean by the word O. Prosody has been already treated.

Rhythm

rhythm } A. The impression produced upon us by the and accent.

Q.

periodical return of

movement
Formation of the'
Phrase.

a musical phrase } A. In rhythmical music, four bars (less commonly three, and more rarely still two) constitute a musical phrase. This last dimension is, however, more generally In considered as a section than as a phrase, and generally takes a line of verse.
is

What

number of bars is arbitrary. A single phrase would give a vague and incomplete impression, a second phrase of equal extent is needed to determine and complete it. Two such consecutive phrases may form a sentence or period. A
musical prose the


52

HINTS ON SINGING.

further development of the musical idea will require periods of equal or

extent,

and so on to the end of the

-Section.-

piece.

Here are some examples

-Phrase.
-Section.

Susanna (Handel).

Phrases of Four
Bars.

^
Ye
ver

=^^

',

S\J'.J-i-^^
ye

^"
wit
-

J'
it

dant

hills,

balm

vales,

Bear

ness

my

pain.

(low

-Phrase.-

Period.
-Section.-

-Section.

Sentence.
:?2:

-S

m-

^
tj
oft

J"
-

*^

^^
i

have Shi

nar's

flow

*ry

dales

Been taught

my

lov

ing

stram.

3
-Phrase.-Section.-Section.^

:P -^--

:f*=^
The wounded oaks
in

:s=^
:^:pt
yon-der

r ^ J
grove

>

Sj-

:p=:^

Re

tain the

name

of

her

love.

The wounded

^
Period.

-^^ ^^
Phrase.-Section.
-Section.-

t=i=x

U=t
-Sentence or
-

-^-^ ^ttt
oaks
in

^a^
Re -tain
roll.

^
the

:k=|5:
of

^
her
I

1^2
love.

yon

name

"Ah

perfidol " (Beethoven).

-Section.-

s ?^?^=^

ft"

r
-^9-

^
mi
ad
.

Phrase.-

-Section

1
di

J
Non
dir

=it3t
mi ad

i
di

^
x6

Per

pi^

t^

non

dir

Phrase.
-Section.-

-Section.
Ij^ft#-

Period.

Z2

-bV f^=r:
-1^

:ff=p:
:S8t:

1
r^

l^

l^
te

gg;&
pri

i*^l^ eiiK
-

\^
tc

:^

Di

va

che

fa

Di

va

che


HINTS ON SINGING.
Nmat
di Figarm

53

(MoaanX
Phrase..

M ^
Deh
vie

-Sectiofu.

^^
non
tar

^
gio
-

-Section.

Phraws
Ban.

o<

Thrae

dar

ja

bel

Phrase.
.Section..

.Section^

i
Vie

Uf*:
-

nl

ve

mo

re

per

go

der

t'ap

pel

Q.

Do
No.

these examples include every sort of phrase

A.
student,
tion.

They merely

present what seems necessary for the guidance of the

The

subject can only be adequately considered in a treatise on composi-

Rests placed after each recurring group of bars, semi-cadences used on the first beat* of the fourth or third bar, and the punctuation of the word. The first and last note of a section or a phrase are often respectively preceded' or followed by some notes necessary to
it

QA.

What renders each phrase of melody distinct ? The strong initial beat of the fourth or third bar, as

Accentuation of a Phrase.

may

be.

complete the musical idea (see preceding examples). Q. Are there any lesser musical forms } A. Figures, which are small groups of notes presenting a sense, two being the
smallest.

Mfk^y.'"

Q. A.
Stm^
ti

How
By

the return of the

intonations.
Allegro.

do you distinguish figures in melody ? same small groups of notes with repeated or Here are examples t
:

different

(Handel).

a-J S5=S i s

~?1

s;.

Haste,

haste,

Hy

^^T^ m
men, hasie
!

^
men, haste,

1^

^ /j^-^^tTr:^^
thy
torch

^m
light- cso.

lly

pre

pare

Love
* This rule finds
t

al

rea

dy,

his has

many

exceptions in the compositions of Bach, Handel, Haydn, and others. (Authors

NoUi

The

subdivisions of sentences, phrases, &c,, miglit be pointed out in

is

many of

ihc xnmples utiered, bat ir

eiy case attention

called to Uie special point under notice. {Author's Note.)

54
Z>> Freitehatt (IVeber).

HINTS ON SINGING.
AGATHR.

^^TF^
Siiss

:j;*=

W=p:
ciickt

f ^
it^;^
ent

:?=:

ent

ee

gen

QuD

i f

J;4

a
Siiss

l=t:
-J

^
ent

ft*tiickt

SE
*'

L-J
gen

ent

ge

ihm

Acu and GalaUm

(Handel).

Cease your

sonj;,

and take your

flight.

38.

BREATHING PLACES.

Ordinary Rule.

Exceptional Cases.

in the middle of a word or between words intimately united by grammatical sense. So, obviously, the singer must breathe where the punctuation of words and music agrees. Q. What if the melody, offering no rests.overtasksthebreathingpowerof thesinger? A. The knowledge of the extent of phrases, their sections, and figures will assist to find places where tc introduce rests (example A), and even, if necessary, to make those places by the interpolation of words (example B)."

Q, A.

Where is the singer to breathe ? Mere commoii sense forbids breathing

&i rrr
t'*

J.J^4
gan

no oh

De

auel

* In tliese examples the term ''half-breath" occurs. It which docb not completely fill the lungs, but replenishes them

is meant to indicate a short, rapid inhalation, noiie!essly effected Note. H. K. sufiicientSy to enable the sinfier to finish the phrase.

^
^
Li
It

HINTS ON SINGING.

55

vol

f-^r-^

t=w. e=M

fi^H^n^^f1^^ter

vol-to

m'at

r6

(MoanX

56

HINTS ON SINGING.

/r

ir

19

Ir

tr

tr

i-^W^^^^^jg"^^^
t^^

tr

tr

*
tr

^
.J^
'

tr

This passage may be sung

legato or with a detached note which pennits to take i breath.

S
_.^

'" "^

Christmas Oratorio
(Bach).

E|E^
In
our

heart

^
-

rr r^
:l^
ex
-

-i^
j
ul
-

tlOD

felt

la

tr

^^^
ol
-

tioo


HINTS ON SINGING.
Q. A.
Is
it

57
Introduction
of

always possible to introduce words

is

be absolutely necessary to divide a word by breathing, the singer must then dissimulate the action with such art that the audience ignores it absolutely. To betray the necessity by the slightest noise, pause, oi movement, would be a great fault. The preceding examples show the importance of being in full possession of breath before a difficult point. As it is not always possible to breathe deeply at the last moment, this must be done at the nearest preceding long rest, while the partial expenditure needed in the interval is recovered by half-breaths. As thus
not convenient,
if it
:

In cases where this device

Words.

Norma

(Bellini).

Start with full breath,

^y
f

^^ &
noi

r
vc!
-

m
noi vol
-

^xif^

^
sem-bian

'

^_r

V
i**

i i

gi

gi

il

bel

r-fi^j
te
:I

^
-

^ ^^^^^^S^
:t==

bel

sem

bian

te

sen

za

no

be e sen

Z3l

vd

Q. Have you any particular case to mention ? A. In the following example it is easy to conceal the inspiration the nose while preparing the explosive /, for example
:

^^^^
if taken

through

it^iatioa

tr ergs.

Tancredi

CRossinl).

t^-^

IS^

^^rjp

as

;>

Breath through the nose before the t.

3^^ ^r^^^T
if
:

gg
r6
fe

r^
li

:xe=:i

Ac

cen-ti,

con

ten

When a cadenza occurs after a long holding note, the singer, advantage of the orchestral accompaniment to breathe
I-

necessary,

may

take

a Principessa
Execution.

in Cantpag)'^ (Pucitta).

pp
?=: 1=^
1=21

S^f
s
Text.

^^
inhale.

pp

t:
Z2.

ssi^^i
Scher
-

?=:

?=:

?=2:

lan

do

va

ife;
at

q?=T^

ti*'^^
:4 i t

r-

-Mrr^ -*^^
'

^53i

i -^

g^'fTt

^m

m-

^ d d ^ S

d d d d-ih


58

'

HINTS ON SINGING.
ritard.

^3^55

*--

f^^r*

^^
:;i2:S=Vt

i^
^
Vi:/

*:i*it

^VkJJi^

?|^
u

^cao:
la

S?
ci-dacam- pa-gna

pla

^^The ending

pp must be resumed Pfi, so as to give the impression of being uninterrupted.

pp

m^^^=^
Breath after

Wlicn two notcs are united by a portamento and breath must be taken between the
^^^^
^.j^j^

Portamento

^^^j.

j^^

^^^^^

^f^^j. ^.j^^

portamCntO.
breath.

Sigismondo

(Rocsini),

f
When
^"^^^
to

'
particular cases the effect

is

--'

f
enhanced by suppressing the rests which separate

ignor*

In

some

the two phrases.

ttUiana in Algieri (Rostini). rpext

Wr^Tri if

r=m n^

le

:&c.

ve

der

pa

trie

re
>i
I

nel
I

pe

ri

glio

Execution.

S5a i S
i 55

&C.
a

re

ne

nel

pe

ri

glio

E #=if^^ -^'^^

8^

=S?=t
-#=F=F-p-

^ Vac ^

p ace


HINTS ON SINGING.

59

39.

PREPARATION OF A PIECE.

Is not a piece capable of various interpretations ? Q. hiTe^retliion. A. As sounds do not express exact ideas, but only awaken sensations, a given Nevermelody may convey meanings as various as it may be variously executed. theless, certain musical forms, such as progressions, appoggiaturas, dissonances, prolonged notes, and successions of the same figure, have accents which must be

observed.

must the student determine the colouring of a melody ? Colour. Compositions express a dominant feeling which is realized by various subsidiary ideas. Each of these, though subject to the prevalent effect, must preserve
Q. A.
its

How

Expressive

own

individuality.

Some

musical ideas

demand

a continuous suavity of delivery

others need gradual energy, others contrasts, &c.

Moderate

feelings will be best

expressed by the
Q. A.

mezza voce," keeping in reserve both piano and forte. Choice of Effect method to determine his choice of effect? finest pupil must read the words of the piece again and again till each shadow of meaning has been mastered. He must next recite them with perfect simplicity and self-abandonment. The accent of truth apparent in the voice when speaking naturally is the basis of expression in singing. Light and shade, accent, The imitation of instinctive impulse sentiment, all become eloquent and persuasive.
"

Has The

the pupil no

must, therefore, be the object of this special preparation.

Q. Has not the student other sources of imitation ? exception A. A powerful means of exciting the mind to a vivid conception of the subject of Subject. is to imagine the personage as standing before one, and let the phantom sing and act, criticising closely both efforts then, when satisfied with the results, to imitate them exactly. By faithfully reproducing the impressions suggested by this creature of fancy, the artist will obtain more striking effects than by at once rendering a piece.
;

Can you not suggest any other method ? situation in a work of art, for Pictorial Another way is to recall some analogous Analogy. J r T> example-: if we have to study the scene of Desdemona in the second act of Kossini s Oie//o, "L'error d'un infelice," one of the fine paintings of the Magdelene at the
Q.

A.

'

feet of Christ

might occur

to the

mind.

Grief and repentance could not assume a

more pathetic form.

Q. What is the next step } A. The means of rendering the general zispect of a composition being determined, each subordinate idea must be brought into relief. For instance, in the phrases
^oMM* di Figmrt (MoxartX

crescendo.*

^3 i f
Di
quel

-flff

^'M
zo

q?=e 11

p
I

1^

Ub

bro

men -

gner,

di

quel

lab

bro

CO

the excitement of the Countess

is clearly expressed by the figure repeated scending progression, and implies a musical crescendo. Again

in

an

6o
I'reghicra

HINTS ON SINGING.
Ottllo

very

f).

legato
notes.

and equal

Deh

cal

mao

ciel

nel

son

no

per

po

co

le

mi- e

pe

(Urn.

n
-

-=: f
:

poco riten.'PP

eol canto.

-F-i-

5:
so
-

he Fa che

I'a

ma

to

be

ne

mi

ven

ga a

con

lar

The intepse grief of Desdemona is expressed by a sort of repeated wail, and also by the contrast of forte arrd piano. This effect is especially marked on the seventh bar, where the // replies to the forte, and both effects are separated by a slight pause which allows the car to apprehend the delicate effect of the second.

40.
Importance.

TIME AND MARKS.

?

Q.

What

is

the importance of time in music

A. Time is the mainspring of music. most important element of rhythm.

Varieties of

Firmness and precision of time

is

the

Time.

Q.

Is

it

always regular?

A.
Exact Valt

It is regular, free, or

mixed.
its

Regularity of time

is

the law in the composi-

tions of Bach, Handel,

Haydn, Mozart, Cimarosa,

regularity
.-'

Rossini, &c.

Q. A.

How
By

do you preserve

maintaining the

full

value of rests as well as notes.

This exactitude

gives aplomb and also steadiness to the delivery, a quality possessed only by

good

musicians.
Rhythm and
Accent.

Q.
A.

How
To

is

time emphasized

bring time into bold relief in compositfons of decided rhythm, the strong beat, especially the first of the bar, must be accented. Warlike songs, and all other outbursts of enthusiasm, require a very marked and regular beat.

q?tz?c

Scund an

larm,

sound an

larm,

your

sil

Yer

trum

pets

sound

'

I*

?C^=^
r
fal
-

:5z=^
Non
piO andrai failo
-

f
-

^'5

^f=^=^

nea-mo

ro

so

not-teeKior- no

^
-

d'ir.-tor

no

gi

ran

do

As

a further example

may

cite the stretta finale of the first act of

Tell.

Don

Giovanni.

also the allegro of the terzetto in Guillaume

In these cases the voice proceeds

by detached sounds much

like the beats of a percussion instrument.


HINTS ON SINGING.
Q.

61

Can you name other modifications of time

?
^

A.
Q.

The

modifications of time are the rallentando, accelerando

ad

libitum^ tempc

'

" '***

nitato, syncopation,

and contra

tempo.-'
'loeRaiientaudo.

What

is

a rallentando?

A. By"rallentando,""adlibitum," "col canto," (as the names imply) is meant the slackening of speed in the accompaniment as well as in the singing for the sake ot
giving greater grace and charm to
Robert

some passage.

Examples

U D.abU

(Meyerbeer).

S^irn:
C'est
bien,

n=r=ii^
ce

-^'
la

IJ

^
-

peut te

me

ner

^ tout, ce

la

pcut te

me

^
ner

ft
k
tout, oui
te

33:

22:

22:

22:

raUniando.

Itno tetnPo.

^W^
me
-

.^ U:
Ah
!

ner

tout,

llion

nSte

hom me
-

10-

-0-

-m-

-0-

TT

;i
GuiiUiume Ttlt
(Rossini).

Allegro inoUo.

.jd

t.

f=F
ca
-12#^

^^^
ijgg^

A
*i?

ses

re

gards

chons

ncs

It
Et

que

du

moins u

ne

jour

n^e

un

peu- pie h

chap

pe

ik

ses

mal

-M
je

-f
n'en
dois plus

z
^
\

E
^r

^r-iS"

nio tempo.

m=:f31=^
6
cicl

pleurs,

qu'inoo mal
"^

heurs

rallentando.^^

-^

u_

^r i
qie du
moins u
-

"

T^T

r ^

heiirs.et

ne jour- n^e un peu-ple 6-chap-pe i ses mal- heurs

The suspensions and

the.;e

the cadenzas are proper places to introduce the ffa libitum.

is

in Ad

libitum.

cases the singer

The term riiardando same meaning.

absolutely

tree.
is

practically the

is not included, but (Note. H. K.)

more commonly used

to-day than the

word rallentando. which baa

62
Q.
A.

HINTS ON SINGING.

What
The

is

an accelerando

increased rapidity of

movement

to

augument the vivacity of

effect.

The

works of Donizetti and Bellini contain a great number of passages which, without

When a bearing the sign of the rallentando or accelerando yet require their use. it right to risk retardations, prolongations, or accelerations, he must not alter the movement of the piece, but have recourse to the tempo rubato. (See below).
singer thinks
Syncopation and Contra Tempo.

Q. Do syncopation and contra tempo require any special accent ? A. Some consideration must be given to these forms of time on account of the contra tempo accent which always falls on the syncopated note and on the note

This accent gives piquancy to the passage.

Example

"S^k
Si

3
^f=Jpu6,ah
si

q=t
St=5t:
-

ffi ^-itmil

fta P. atzit

ilfcifs

?2=
pe

=^

pu6

re

sis

te - re

is the tempo rubato? displacement of values (in melody) which increases the duration of some This licence favours the expression of passion and notes af the expense of others. aids the musical colouring, especially when repeating a phrase.

Q.

What

A.

"Ah,

perfido

" (Beethoven).

^\

i ;
Per

.^
pie

:5c

-I

=^

"
dir -

m
ad
di

non

mi

S^ ?^
'dir

mi ad

di

Rmuo GiulitUa (Zingarelli).

pte
Nel
Nel

^
for
-

rr^
tu
-

.-t-

na

to

E
+
.^-

E^^
for
-

:f^

-^=^^
to

tu

na

li

To

render the tempo rubato

effective, the

accompaniment must be kept

.-'

strictly in

time.
to make on dotted figures should be assigned to the short note as well as to vowel passages a In such not be detached, but receive a slight additional must vowel repeated The the long. This gives vigour and determination, and is equivalent to a pressure of the breath.

Q. A.

Have you any remark

slight accent.

Jttdas Mttccmitnts (Handel).

EeE
Ste
-

W
caph

'

^E

S?E a d

^ m~v
^

lirg-L4
ic

itze
me
)o-cly
to

make

Tliis variation may have been quite usual at a period when sinjiers were expected to alter the text of a composer to suit their individual taste. Today, with Beethoven in question, it would hardly be permissible. The utility of the example, however reoKiins. (Note, H. K.)

HINTS ON SINGING.
Q.
A.

63

Do you
To

suggest any special treatment for recurring words

SS^T*^
interpretations

avoid monotony, they should be submitted to various

rise to

such as the subject of the piece might suggest, thus giving

tng.

a variety of colour-

Q.

"^AHiat

are the characteristics of the />or/<Tme/o?

(a)

9^^?"'^'"
feelings,
''^"'*

A.
it

Energy

and grace
;

(^).

Applied to the expression of powerful

should be strong and rapid

Don Giovanni
(Mozart).

less so for

moderate or tender sentiments.

i^
Ti
par -la
il

ca
-

:is=t

ro a

-i

te

hai

m
pa

*
dre,

1^
3cit:
hai

spo

so

^^
pa

apo

dre

in

me

^m W
2

Don Giovanni

(Mozart).

^i^=^
ah
chi

:ti:=J
di

mi

mai

^
/
1 1 >

3
bar
-

^^M GUvaHHt (Moaart).

ggflj

g
|

Lj
vie
- ni al
-

'
la
fi -

'

Deh

^
for.

qoel

ba

ro

do

v**

nes

tra

te

80

Q.

Is

there

any observation to be made with regard

to a singer's entree en

fSJ^"^^

matitref*
A.

S^^"^"

commencement.

The calm expectation of an audience should not be shocked by a violent The passion suitable to the occasion will develop by degrees. On

the stage this precept

may be

completely disregarded when after proper announceis

ment any abrupt

Q.

violence or disorder

looked

after a momentary interruption a melody A done with the same strength and the same timbre as before.
Crocimie (Meyerbeer).

When When

a passage has been interrupted,

how

should

it

be resumed
resumed,

?
it

is

must be

Pscspir.p

em - pre

pian

ge

re

^ i^

Tr^*ato r^uM (Donizetu).

TaSSO.

Eleonora.
Z2:

f
ah
I'af

'

^r- ^^
pe
-

:feS:

:5cn

Deb

ian

na

Actual start of a piece oe cene. (A/o/. H. K.)


64
Terminating
notes.

HINTS ON SINGING.
Q. A.

length is to be apportioned to terminating notes ? Notes ending short syllables, figures, or sections of phrases should be quitted lightly and instantly if prolonged the effect becomes heavy and wastes the breathing time. The terminal beats of sentences and of instrumental recitatives receive value adequate to their importance in the idea, for then they represent the completion of ^he thought. These finals arc stronger and longer in serious than in comic music.
;

What

Cr^a/Vw (Haydn).

short.

short.

long.

^iwoo
-

^=^
ders,the

^-^-^
won

1&L
day sung,

ders

of the

fifth

"^
\
'rcj^

-JOl.

^
the
isolated
.?

iza:

S
already

Q.
A.

Besides

accents

mentioned, can you suggest some

example of ensemble colouring

The

following

Don Giovanni (Mozart).

41.
Justification.

ORNAMENTS AND CHANGES}

accent does not suffice to colour a melody, recourse must be had to suitable ornaments. Italian music, until the beginning of the nineteenth century, was of this kind.

Q. A.

Is

the singer justified in introducing ornaments or changes

When

The composers,

ment which
are
Wherf
adrni>sible

the singers supplied.

while giving the idea, counted on the accent and ornaVariations, rondos, polaccas, &c.. from their nature

left

to the inspiration of the executant.

be introduced into concerted music ? combine their ornaments but in concerted music wHere parts are of equal importance, no change is ever admissible.

Q.
A.

May ornaments

In duets singers

all


HINTS ON SINGING.
Q. What is the best place for ornaments or fioriturc ? A. It is a question which admits of different answers. the end of a phrase have the charm of the unexpected
:

65
Appropriate Use.

Fioriturc introduced at

Smutamlmla

(Bellini)-

When an idea requires to be varied this should be done each time it returns eiti wholly or in part but great discretion is needed, lest the composition be injured. Want of accordance between the spirit of a piece and the style of its embellishments would have this result The following variations might not be considered an inappropriate illustration. The subject occurs in the duet " Dunque io son" {Barbiere, Theme varied. Rossini), and the first three changes are such as might be sung by the mezzo-soprano voice (for which the rdL of Rosina was originally written), while the others (a, b, and c), of course, could only be undertaken by a soprano
;
:

Ah

tu

so

lo

mor

mi

de

vi

so

lar

Ah tu

sol

io

Ui.

The preceding
new

rules are confirmed

selves never reproduce the

by the same thought

practice of the best composers,

who themit

several times without rejuvenating

by
Expressio. tr

effects of voice or instrumentation.

Q. A.
is

Have you any

further use for

ornaments

We

prolong by ornaments the expression of emotions on which the mind o^SL*.

willing to linger.

66

HINTS ON SINGING
Execution.

Che

in ques-te

mu

ra in va

no

lo

ri

chia

ma I'a

mor

Nina paxta

(Coppola).

^^^
ai

^^
ven
ti

9or

di

or di

CO

f-gg^^
i

t>.

**.

^k^

Pi
movement

:^

^T
ti

or di

CO

Words which suggest images

&c., &c.
Crociato (Meyerbeer).
7-1

of

or extension, or those of an imitative

character, are adapted for ornaments, such, for instance, as vittoria, lampo, eterno,

Ks

^^

e
cam
-

vin

ci

to

re

dal

po

io

qui

ri

*
P
cam
-

po

io

qui

^ ^ ^r<'^,j-.
la
.

M
ri -

tor-

no

di

no

vel

li

(a

70-

tor-

no

iJ^J^LJl^
vo
-

N
-

g
Changes.

JfgS^
ri

mi col

me

din

^^-^ f i.^
me-ra

fZZKl
i

-rdin
>

mi

col

la

When syllables are placed on high and When a composition is ill-suited to unpleasant.
resort to
;

Q. A.

Has a

singer no other occasion for introducing changes

difficult

notes and

make

the voice

the

means

of the vocalist, he

may

changes or to transposition but it is often wiser to abandon a work rather than spoil it and incur blame or impair the organ. In certain cases it is permissible thus bello, corty to eliminate a syllable or to restore one that has been suppressed will make hel, cor, and vice versd.
;

i
Appoggiatura
applied.

r3S
it
tern
-

q^^q
pra

i^^i
co
-

an

ra

tempra an

cor

lo

re

lo

au

da

ce

falls

How is the appoggiatura applied ? Q. A. The appoggiatura, an indispensable ornament in the Italian school of singing, on the strong beat of the bar (though not exclusively), nd on the long syllables


HINTS ON SINGING.
of

67
{p)

words,

either

piani
:

{a)

(penultimate),

or

sdruccioli

(antepenultimate),

or tronchi

(c^.

Examples

^^
Di

Dinorah (MeyerbeerX

=s=!^

^
buo
gen
te

te

mi

^%K\
Orfeo (Gluck).

S
Che
r6

sen

za

Eu

m
:

Si

^S

Deh

ie

.ni

aJ-U

fi

nes

tra,

nes

tra
R"'an.<i

ending a phrase or a section of a phrase, and followed by always bears the prosodic accent, and therefore must be turned into an appoggiatura. Though Mozart has not marked the appoggiatura it must be introduced. The exception to this rule is when the two notes are both an essential part of an idea, when they belong to concerted voices, or when the harmony docs not permit the alteration.
identical notes

Of two

a rest, the

first


68

HINTS ON SINGING.

42.
Definition.

THE CADENZA.
suspension of the musical meaning,

Q. A.
or

What is a cadenza ? The cadenza is either a momentary

it is final.

Appropriate
Places.

Q.

On what
first

A.

The momentary suspensions

minor), their

chords do you find the momentary suspensions ? are chiefly found on the two triads (major and inversion, the dominant seventh, the two ninths, the first inversion of
>

the three last chords, and the augmented sixth.

Q.

And

the final cadenza

A.

On

the formula

^.

l_l
'-pr.

or simply the last dominant

chord alone,
Character.

Q. What other observations on the cadenza can you offer ? A. The ornaments give the singer opportunity to display his or her taste and tl* wealth of his or her resources. But whatever his imagination and facility may be, his cadenza must remain exclusively within the chord that bears it the cadenza should nev^r occur except on a long syllable, or if this be not convenient, on the exclamation **ah!" The cadenza ought to be performed, as far as possible, on a single syllable, and in a single breath.
;

Gmllaumt

TV// (Rossini).

r^ W
The

=;il4=L

:?ciqe

mf^

^^f>
*-t-rt

^
\

rT.

^S
TiTTt

ii

^^^^^
'

Tout

Tous i'

\h

ve i

re-gards

^^,Mn
Introduction of

\,S^\"

\^^
:

6^

rule that the

it

cadenza*

composing

cadenza should be performed in a single breath can be avoided by of several words, the breath being taken between, thus

non

ho

for

za

Sovra

il

sen la

man mi

po- sa

Syllabic cadenzas acquire greater effect by the power of the word.

t <*iU du Kord (Meyerbeer)

^
rc-viens,et
j'a

dt=^i

ban

don

ne

le scep-tre et la

gran

deur

Des - tin,prendsmacou

*^^AU^

^
HINTS ON SINGING.
69

m:

m
ron

^-^-^-^^=^
ne,
inais rencis-moi le

^'^^^'r

^^
bon
-

qcac

boa

heur,

hear.

^m =
fct
ai

Sniunniula ( BelliuiX

g
tro

>
tra
-

fa

d
i

--^

rg-;;
-

Ir-tr1^

>

i'

S
do
- lor

vo

laL^^r,

-^
A

to

di

th

ce non
-*-

le-

mer
-*-

del niio
/"TS

--

t^

i!

In the eighteenth centurj' (see Baini and Reicha) the singer modulated according to
his fancy.
fect taste.

Modulation;

Nov/

this liberty is

The example

only accorded to artists has been introduced by

who

unite knowledge with per-

Mme

Viardot

in the

Orfeo of

Gluck.

tr

tr

ri

ve

der

il

ciel na- tal,

il

suol

na

Ul

7C

HINTS ON SINGING.

m^ m
Ob -jet
de

*
a
-

T^
'

>

'
te

\ir
ren

mon

mour,

^
-

-^

Sj
^-

"1

^t
It'

Je vais

dreaa

jour,

Je vais te

:W:
ren
-

w
je

'

#,
-
je

dreau

jour,

bra

je

bra

ve,

b 'J tjJ b
bra

-i

J-J lpnm^
j

JbJuJbJ^J-J^^-ii:^

J^^J_J_b^^_fcLMM

,iu.afei^^^

J ,J

!^

51

-J 1-

1111L
^
\

i
i.tr

-a^-r>-^

'^^^==^^^

A
u6

2-

$
The

'j'^Ji-l.jrr'
je

bra

ve

le

tre- pas,

je

bra -ve

le

-pai.

m
following example, though introduced by the celebrated singer Millico,
is

too

irregular for imitation.

M^
Definition.

L'a

man

te

^:d

fe


HINTS ON SINGING.
Q. A.
71
g

can a singer transmit his emotions to an audience ? Sympathy is the sole transmitter of emotion and the feelings of an audience are excited by our own, as the vibrations of one The following example is instrument are awakened by the vibrations of another. intended to illustrate the foregoing ideas Romeo has come to bid an eternal farewell to Juliet, who lies upon her bier. Fascinated by the sight, he stands in a sort of ecstasy and speaks as if she could hear

How

,n,p.^tijetic

By

feeling strongly himself.

f^''"e

Illustration

(Entire Airt.

Exaltation and tenderness must be carried to their utmost limit, and yet, however extreme, do not justify the use of trembling tones. They must be made manifest by the choice of suitable timbres, the vigour of the colouring, and the accentuation.
him.

Steadiness of voice

is

an indispensable quality, and even a momentary abandonment

seems quite

unjustifiable.

Rome0 (Vaccaj)

>i*

^W
gUa-ti

sigh sustaitud

and era.

equal full noUs.

i m.
Ah
;i?=i
!

iiJ^J'JJJ

se

tu

dor

^^^^^^^m ^
'5^ ^
^

^ ^K^^ ig
IlJ5^
3j^
vigorous
Full, smooth, ana slur. ^-^ well-sustained notes,

r*

p^

.^^j^yi
vieni

fug

gia

mo, fug

gia

mo

^--

4-M

tf

^^


1^

r
HINTS ON SINGING.
y
with Undertuss,
sustained full notes and equal strength and value.

with tendtmas.

nm^0
sie-me

>
-

rm
ni.ah

9^ ^^
vie

''

g^*^*^ ^^ *
mo m

^^d
SIC
-

a-mo
-

vie

nifuy-gia

me

re

.-?s^
evj.j
f

. 'S'^'a

-*j- g
'

sjg^^?^
:

rg-^

^^

3td

s=t
mo
-

-?

"

>3 J
ci

-B

-J

aA
mlo ben

S
mi-a

re,

mor

con- dur

ra

sor-gi

mia

vi - ta

E^Ei jy-^^

^=^8^

r^g

^,-f

^^
slightly undulated.
'^ r-

'^

^a ^
/>*/.
gj

^J

'

-IT

^'^'/^
^^
l
1

I'

r
spe

^i

* rffT

'

S
mo
-

A-^^
a-

^^^5Pt$=f-^
morci con-dur
-ra

^^
vie

F^-'le.'LrL ^'i^
'

^s=< ss

^
1

me

a-mo

re

re,

r[

hc^'UL

^^g^^g'^^S^
-3r

i
4^
IP

**:

e
mo
-

^^^ :^ *g^ :^zci

^e^
ra vie
ni

3E ^2=y^
-

re

mor

con

dur

mo

re

HINTS ON SINGING.

73

V *^*T
.

'"

^
con

^^
-

ci

dur

ra.

B^
\

=4:

[P^
44.

RECITATIVE.
Defimnon.

A free musical declamation. Cantilena independent of rhythm and time. For the voice it is of two kinds, namely, spoken recitative (parlante) and instrumental.* The former is only used in the Italian opera buffa, the latter in the opera seria. Notes and rests are to be executed, not according to their written value, but as required by the prosody of the language, the importance of the word in the sentence, and the In recitative the clever singer has a character of the sentiment to be delivered. free hand. Auber has said " Le r^citatif est la page que le chanteur signe."t

Q. A.

What

is

recitative

Q.
A.

do you apply the appoggiatura in recitative } When a sentence ends with two equal notes, in the

How

Appoggiatura
Recitative.

in

Italian style,

we

raise

the first a tone or half a tone according to the degree of the scale. becomes an appoggiatura. Sometimes a real note is used instead.

The

raised note

In instrumental

as in spoken recitative, the voice should be perfectly unfettered by the accom-

paniment.

Example

^aA

(Handel).

an =#:

gel

$S^
e^

g-^^
"Fear not;

teite J '^
for

:;z=F
hold
I

And

the

an

gel

said un-to them,

be

bring you good

221

-^

*
ti

^
-

m
to
all

dings

peo

pie

i
ti

*^
-

dines

of great joy.

which

shall

be

all

peo

pie

i ^
J3
to is
+

^
"Rpcitative
i^

23:

U^
Recitative.

^
The "spoken"
Recitative here referred

* That is. Recitative with orchestral accompaniment, or accompanied more generally designated " Recitative secco." {Note. H. K.)

the page wliich

tlie singjir

signs."

74
Florid
Recitative.

HINTS ON SINGING.

The
begin,

SomtambuUi.

example of florid treatment in recitative occurs in Bellini's the ceremony of signing her marriage contract is about to Amina expresses to her adopted mother her happiness and her gratitude for the
following

When

tender care she has received since her infancy.

-^

f^ 'ZL
,


HINTS ON SINGING.

75

45.

ON THE VARIOUS STYLES.

:

are the principal styles of singing ? Stilo da Camera, Stilo di Chiesa, and Names (Old 1723 Tosi recognized three Modera). In modern times these divisions are not the same, but still there Stilo di Teatto. are three principal forms from which all the others are derived, namely :

Q. A.

What
In

ancl

Ca?ito spianato

Canto fiorito florid style. declamatory style. Cayito declamato Q. How do you describe the Canto spianato ? This, the noblest of all styles (but also the least lively on account of slowness A. of movement and simplicity of form), is based entirely on the degrees of passion and the variety of musical light and shade. The chief resources of this style (and nothing can replace them) are perfect intonation, steadiness of voice, propriety o{ timbre, clear and expressive articulation, swelled sounds of every kind, the most refined effects of

plain

style.

Canto Spianato
(Plain Styles.

piano and forte, the portamento, and the tempo rubato. This style, although the least favourable to rapid fioriture, admits of the use of the appoggiatura, turns, and shakes. Other ornaments, if employed, should harmonise with the slowness of its movement and the gentle nature of its expression. It is hardly necessary to remark that though brilliant passages are inappropriate, it is equally imperative to avoid heaviness and Time must be kept, dragging. In cantabile movements most phrases begin piano. In quick movements, on the contrary, time should be marked. but not accented. These rules are rigorously applied to Larghi and Adagii. The other slow movements,
such as Cantabile, Maestoau, Andante, &c., though retaining a certain gravity, are modified by borrowing from the florid style.

much
Canto Fiorito
(Florid Style).

do you describe the florid style ? This style abounds in ornaments. In it the singer may display the fertility of his imagination, and indulge in roulades, arpeggi, and rapid passages of all kinds. The execution should be light and the voice spared. When power and passion are applied to brilliant execution it becomes the bravura style.
Q. A.
Q.

How

Are

there other modifications of the florid style

Modidcatioas

A. There is one called Canto di Maniera, created by singers whose voices were wanting in great power, and though sufficiently supple for the execution of all kinds of intervals, did not possess extreme agility. Small embellishments and arpeggiated passages, often divided by syllables and inflections, formed an elegant, delicate style, also known as Alodi di Canto, well fitted for graceful sentiments, whether gay or
tender.

Q. What is the declamatory style } A. Dramatic singing. It is nearly always monosyllabic, and almost entirely excludes vocalization. It is divided into the serious and the comic These names express the nature of the piece and the method of execution.

Canto Declamat< (Declamatory

Style).

Finis.

The Mortimer

Series of Books

on Music

The Unashamed Accompanist

by

GERALD MOORE
;

This book was written in the hope that it might indicate the lines along which a would-be follower of the gentle art of accompaniment should work it was written to arouse more interest in and to show the importance of the accompaniment, in order that appreciation and enjoyment of good music may be enlarged and enriched to those who are not aware of

its

significance

Price

SIX SHILLINGS

net

Conducting Without Fears

A Handbook
Part One Part
-

for Beginners

byJOSEPHLEWIS
A
General Survey
Price

THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE net

Two

Choral and Orchestral Conducting Synopsis on Contents Author's Preface Chapter I - Arising out of Part i II - Choral Conducting ,, III - A Few Hints on Interpretation ,, IV - Orchestral Conducting ,, V - Cognate Brevities ,,
-

Price

FIVE SHILLINGS

net

The Chorus Master by LESLIE WOODGATE

This
little

book

will

prove of invaluable help to

of choral societies

all

leaders
net

Price

FIVE SHILLINGS
of all ages

Singing Without Tears A Handbook for Beginners

Price

byJOSEPHLEWIS
THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE net

The House

of Ascherberg 1 6 Mortimer Street, London, W. 1

L.B.717

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-LOS ANQELES

L 008 005 742 5

CA
,

M-

rf -i

'-

*"-#-

02 f)
<j ^^^^%nf9\^'^^

University of California Library

This book

is

Los Angeles 5 2000 ^pf( 2 DUE on the last date stamped below.

QUARTER

I.O^N

/j

JAN 1 3 2003

v^

JAN

eoo5

Phone Renewals
310/8;25"Si88