SPOKEN SONGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3573, 24 February 1914, Page 8

SPOKEN SONGS.

PERSONALITY ESSENTIAL. DON’T BE TOO AMBITIOUS. Miss Dorothy Varick, the wellknown English society entertainer, gives a few hints for the ambitious amateur who wishes to entertain her Wends with spoken songs: — “The great art in rendering spoken songs is to make them sound perfectly effortless. No straining after effects, no screaming of top notes, no deep breaths; just a simple sustained poem with a musical accompaniment that runs on quit© apart from the words; and those words must he spoken without apparent preparation—as an actress sneaks her lines in a play.

“To begin with—don’t attempt ‘spoken songs’ unless you have a sense Ojf character and a certain individuality of your own. For every ‘sketch that is spoken to music depends for its success on the individual artist who renders it. Thus it hapens that two people may give the same poem in totally different ways, and each will be charming, provided the artist lias ‘personality.’ “This sort of thing is hard to explain, but real sympathy and a complete understanding of the words one is going to speak are the best guides to success in this line. Most ‘spoken songs’ arc simple. “Well, if you can’t get inside their very simplicity, if you can’t feel the mood of the particular little hoy or girl, or grown-up who is speaking through your lips, then your effoit will be a failure.

“First of all choose your ‘spoken song’ carefully. There are scores of dainty, fascinating little ballads to select from, so don’t make the fatal mistake of being too amibtious. Start by learning the words exactly as jou would a recitation.

“Remember to ‘color’ every line and phrase with a new inflection and facial expression. Recollect, also, that the natural conversation tones of the voice do not blend with the piano. The quality of the speakers voice should be full and rich, and not pitched to deep. Adopt a higher, rather than a lower tone than usual, when rendering a ‘spoken song. “Next you must learn the music, and practise it' until you can play it without the slightest feeling of strain or nervousness. Then/put the two things together, and you have rendered your spoken song.”