January, 1913. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. No preface to the Second Edition was written, so few were the changes that were made in the work, and the same might apply to this Third Edition. However, the fact that within a period of less than two years, a Second English and a Third American Edition have been called for, seems to the Author to be so conclusive an endorsement of the application of science to vocal art, that he may be entitled at least to express his gratification at the progress the cause, to which he has devoted his pen, is making. It would seem that the better portion at least of that public that is interested in the progress of vocal art has made up its mind that the time has come when sense and science must replace tradition and empiricism. THE AUTHOR. MONTREAL, September, 1908. PREFACE. The present work is based on a life study of the voice, and has grown out of the conviction that all teaching and learning in voice-culture, whether for the purposes of singing or speaking, should as far as possible rest on a scientific foundation. The author, believing that practice and principles have been too much separated, has endeavored to combine them in this book. His purpose has not been to write an exhaustive work on vocal physiology, with references at every step to the views of various authors; rather has he tried always to keep in mind the real needs of the practical voice-user, and to give him a sure foundation for the principles that must underlie sound practice. A perusal of the first chapter of the work will give the reader a clearer idea of the author's purpose as briefly expressed above. The writer bespeaks an unprejudiced hearing, being convinced that in art as in all else there is but one ultimate court of appeal: to the scientific, the demonstrable--to what lies at the very foundations of human nature. In conclusion, the author desires to thank those publishers and authors who have kindly permitted the use of their illustrations. THE AUTHOR. MCGILL UNIVERSITY, Montreal, October, 1906. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE CLAIMS AND IMPORTANCE OF VOCAL PHYSIOLOGY. Science and art--The engineer, architect, physician, nurse, and others, compared with the vocal teacher and learner--Unfavorable tendencies--The old masters--The great elocutionists--Causes of failure--The lack of an adequate technique--Correct methods are physiological--Summary of the advantages of teaching and learning based on scientific principles--Illustrations of the application of physiological principles to actual cases--The evils from which speakers and singers suffer owing to wrong methods--Speaking and singing based on the same principles--Relation of hygiene to physiology 17 CHAPTER II. GENERAL PHYSIOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES.