Resonance in Singing and Speaking Part 9

4. Each vowel sound must be distinct in enunciation and pure in quality. Avoid blurring one with the other. Give each its true individuality.

5. As jewels of different hue hung on a string, so must this exercise be the stringing of vowels on a continuous stream of sound.

Exercise I

TO ESTABLISH NASAL AND HEAD RESONANCE

This is an exercise for focusing or placing the voice and developing the vibrations of the nasal and head cavities, the most essential parts of the resonant apparatus. If the nostrils are kept fully open, no nasal tw.a.n.g will be heard. The strength of the tone will correspond to the force of the vibrations of the nose and head, which can be plainly felt by resting the finger lightly upon the side of the nose.

The vibrations may eventually be plainly felt on the top and back of the head.

Attack, that is, begin the tone, _softly_ and on no account force it in the least. p.r.o.nounce the full word _at once_, prolong the _ng_ four counts as indicated, and sing the five vowel sounds on a continuous, unbroken tone. Articulate entirely with the lips and without moving the under jaw. In this, as in the following exercises, keep the under jaw relaxed and open the mouth so as to separate the teeth as wide apart as is consistent with the action of the lips. See also the ill.u.s.trations of proper lip position given at the close of Chapter II.

_Practice this exercise on any pitch easy for the voice._

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

Repeat this many times until the nose and head vibrations are fully recognized and established. After mastery of this exercise is acquired, any words ending in _ng_ may be repeated. The word _noon_ sung quietly on each note of the voice with the final consonant prolonged will be found helpful.

EXERCISES FOR SPEAKERS

When the placing of the voice is accomplished on the one tone (Exercise I), the speaker can go on with practice in reading and reciting, allowing the voice to change its pitch at its will, only being careful that all the tones are alike in quality.

A profitable exercise for speakers is to p.r.o.nounce any word or syllable ending with _ng_, as _ming_, _bing_, _sing_, _ring_, _ting_, and follow it with some familiar lines in a monotone, being sure that the tone is the same and produces the same vibrations in the nose and head.

In the case of a person already a public speaker, this new _regime_ may not immediately manifest itself in performance, but gradually the right principles will a.s.sume control, and speaking be done with ease and effectiveness. Continual daily practice of exercises should be kept up.

If a speaker has a musical ear and some musical knowledge, he will derive great benefit by following out the practice of the exercises for singers. In no way can the voice for speaking be improved so rapidly or decisively as by musical training.

Exercise II

TO ESTABLISH HEAD AND NASAL RESONANCE

As in Exercise I, sing softly, seeking purity of vowel sounds and quality of tone. Fully p.r.o.nounce _hung_ at once, prolonging the _ng_ four counts as indicated. Pa.s.s from one vowel to the next with the least possible change in the position of the lips and chin. The stream of sound is to be unbroken, the tone focus unchanged, and the sensation of resonance in the upper chambers continuous.

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

Exercise III

UPPER RESONANCE CONTINUED

Follow the directions for Exercise I. Sing quietly in a pitch that is easy for the voice, and modulate up or down by half steps.

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

Exercise IV

UPPER RESONANCE CONTINUED

The last exercise carried the voice an interval of a third; this carries the voice an interval of a fifth. Follow carefully the directions of Exercise I. Be sure to p.r.o.nounce _hung_ at once, prolonging the tone not on the vowel but on the _ng_. _Sing softly._ Vary the pitch to suit the voice.

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

Exercise V

UPPER RESONANCE CONTINUED

The last exercise carried the voice an interval of a fifth, this one has a range of a sixth, while Exercise VI has a range of an octave.

Carefully follow the Important Directions on page 60.

_Sing softly_ in a pitch that is easy for the voice.

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

[Music ill.u.s.tration: Hung-ee-oo-oh-aw-ah _etc._]

Exercise VI

TO ENLARGE THE THROAT AND THUS MAGNIFY THE TONE

p.r.o.nounce the word _hung_ at once, opening the mouth well. Prolonging the _ng_ sound as indicated will insure the proper focus.

Sing the five vowel sounds throughout the scale as indicated. At first practise only on scales that are in easy range.

[Music ill.u.s.tration:

1. Hung-ee 2. Hung-oo 3. Hung-oh 4. Hung-aw 5. Hung-ah

_etc._]

VIa

[Music ill.u.s.tration:

1. Hung-ee 2. Hung-oo 3. Hung-oh 4. Hung-aw 5. Hung-ah

_etc._]

Exercise VII