The Technics of Bel Canto (Classic Reprint)

General Observations The true method of singing is in harmony with nature and the laws of health. Chief Requirements for the Pupil Voice, musical talent, health, power of apprehension, diligence, and patience. Chief Requirements for the Teacher Experience, a sensitive ear, and the gift of intuition and individualization. The Vocal Organs may be described briefly as a pipe with double-reed, blown by means of diaphragm and lungs. The Voice results from the projection of an air-current against the Vocal Cords in varying degrees of tension. In forming the voice, three groups of muscles cooperate, namely, theB reathing-muscles, the Vocal muscles, and theS ound-modifying muscles. The mode of breathing required for artistic singing is diaphragmatic breathing. It is the sole method by which a singer can conduct sufficient air tranquilly, and with a minimum of exertion, from the lungs to the vocal organs. Prof. L. Mandl writes, in hisH ygiene de la voix, page 14, 2: As long as the breathing is abdominal (diaphragmatic) no strain upon the vocal organs can proceed from the chest. .. .N either will the larynx nor the pharynx be set in motion by the gentle breathing; everything remains at rest. After inspiration, therefore, the vocal organs are in a position to carry out properly, and without any hindrance that might otherwise have been caused by preceding contractions, the movements necessary to a slow expulsion of the air. Breath is taken easily through the wide-open glottis. .. .P age 17, 5: Singing-voices were preserved much better and longer by the old Italian method, as taught by Rubini, Porpora, etc., than by our modern methods, which teach (or at least permit) clavicular breathing. And those teachers who favor diaphragmatic breathing can likewise show the best results.
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