HOW TO SING AND PLEASE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 29, 29 October 1907, Page 3

HOW TO SING AND PLEASE.

-The following hints to amateurs are by an JMiglish teacher of singing:— ~,'ilhere arc three essentials to a good and pleasing well-enun-ciated words, good music, and a sympathetic singer."..- ' , • ~ .jl Have used the word "sympathetic" advjsedly: It convoys the idea of being with ybiirjsong, find that is exactly what i wish' tq.'ihiprcss on -all/amateur singers. You must be with , your song, heart and soul, and remember not only should you feel what you are'singing, your listeners must feel and follow, too; iihd you have to make them do so.. Bo the hero of tife story, and do not, as it were, apologise for him.'/ Where the words ar.o.ten'der and of love, conjure up your sweetest memories, infuse them there and boreal; Again, when the.sense is to decry anything raise, proclaim the'words boldly and'do not look ashamed;'" ;'' ;,It is hot absolutely necessary to'have a fine voice" in order to give pleasure A careful cnbice : pf song, well within the compass, cler, jjretty enunciation, and a faithful colouring is much more, likely to gain commendation in pur homes' than an indifferent rendering ot anything'"grand," no matter how fine, how powerful the voice., Learn to know your capabilities arid keep within them. Never attempt, to sing a song unless you feel at ease about ,it. Stand erect and still, the head slightly raised, the mouth well opeA, and the tongue down! Take long, deep .'breaths, noiselessly through the mouth—and expend tliemVery sparingly. It is really most distract.ing.to,hoar tho : breath whistling above the wprds; hold it t therefore, well in check, take plenty but have some always in reserve. Again. ,nover attempt a song unless you know it. by heart. .Every ditty tells a t.alo of some sort. Carefully learn 'thp words and expres'sions 'by, heart,'then you are free to face your audience' and tell them jiist what the song says. This 'is, I;.know, not "an easy habit to cultivate ;'biit you will overcome "f you '.are determined , to master what you mi- , dertake, and the nervous 'gauche" feeling will''-crumblo '■away'.-ih time. '

".When practising havo,a looking-glass near at'.hand (yonr brother's shaving glass will answer'admirably). Perch' it'safcly at a distance whore you can see'your.'head. It will be your ■best friond, and faithfully toll you how ugl.v ■it/is to .'allow your eyebrows to.clo all the expression, and how very unattractive you look Tfhoii you'screw up the corners of yoyiir eyes' a'tj.' every high notn. ,"■ ■ V ,Coax a. smilo , to your -lips, well open the mouth,''stand quite still, and attack neatly without, distorting: any feature of the face. '.Your, glass will now^smilo back, and all will :g'ii.well;as tho proverbial marriage be 11 . ,- ', .It is no-good aiming at being a singer, howovor hnmble, unless we take pains. Bear that ever ; in.'mind. • , .. \ : ..vNow-.a word about prac.tisint;. Lot this.be done' regularly, but not ovcrclono. Half aii. ■ hour.' is" quite long enough at a time; novor ; do'Jorigor. , ~ Steady work' is required, not long antkwejirisome practice.- Then the study becomes not only fatigued, but careless. Should tho,...throat acho, desist at once—you have done enough—indeed top much; wait till'the' morrow, and then only practice softly. Make .appoint,of .dividing your work; lot us say you take your sustained notes','scales, etc., in the morning; your exorcises and study song, in the afternoon, and your old songs early in tho evening-.' Such an arrangement, if faithfully carried out,- will duly.-give satisfaction' all round and-our singer will, moreovor, find her general health as'hor voice gair.s in roundness'of tone. Ono'-word more befbrc"j plowing.. Donoti do not shout, and do riot attempt-gymnastic'feats wih your voice before it has been properly trained.