Voice production in singing and speaking, based on scientific principles — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Voice production in singing and speaking, based on scientific principles
John Stuart Mill · en
2. Hold the breath thus taken, but only for a short time, counting in
the same manner as before.
3. Exhale slowly, still counting.
After a few moments' rest the exercise may be again carried out in the
same way. These exercises may be in series, several times a day.
The following warnings are especially to be observed:
1. Never continue any exercise when there is a sense of discomfort of
any kind whatever. Such usually indicates that it is being carried out
too vigorously.
2. Increase the depth of the inspirations daily, but not very rapidly.
3. The inspirations and expirations should both be carried out very
slowly at first.
4. Cease the exercise before any sense of fatigue is experienced.
Fatigue is Nature's warning, and should be always obeyed. It indicates
that the waste products which result from the use of the muscles are
accumulating and proving harmful.
After a week of such exercises the following modification of them is
recommended:
1. Inhale with the lips slightly apart.
2. Gradually increase the length of the time the breath is held, but
let it never exceed a few seconds.
3. Through open lips allow the breath to pass out, but with extreme
slowness. The student should try to increase this last, somewhat,
daily, as it is above all what is required in singing, and also in
speaking, though to a somewhat less degree--a slow, regulated
expulsion of the breath.
If when the chest is full of air the subject gently raises the arms
over the head, or directs them backward, he will experience a sense of
pressure on the chest. If this be carefully done, its effect is to
strengthen, and it is especially valuable for those inclined to stoop.
The recommendation to inspire through the open lips applies only when
one is in a room, or in the open air when it is warm enough and free
from dust. But the student should learn to inspire through the
slightly open mouth, as to breathe through the nose in speaking, and
especially in singing, is objectionable for several reasons which can
be better explained later; so that the rule is to _breathe through the
nose when not using the voice, and through the mouth when one does_.