VOICE CULTIVATION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XXV, 23 June 1894, Page 596

VOICE CULTIVATION.

It is an essential feature in the cultivation of a young girl’s voice that her lessons should not be begun too early. Her constitution must be formed, and nature herself must have announced the moment of physical maturity. Not before the age of fourteen should she begin her studies of vocalization. She should, however, be taught music as soon as her inclination and her temperament will allow. Eight years of age is by no means too early for the young student to begin to learn to play on the piano or upon the violin. The latter instrument has often been found an invaluable introducer to the study of singing. It trains the ear and develops taste and correctness of intonation. Before it was dis covered, says Christine Nilsson, that I had a voice I went through in my childhood, a series of lessons on the violin, for I was originally intended to become a violinist. And I have found that early training of the greatest advantage to me in my subsequent career. One point that cannot be too strongly impressed on the young girl student is the necessity of never singing too long at a time. This precaution it is essential for her to observe throughout the whole period of her studies. She may begin the day with a lesson of half an hour ; then from two or three Hours she must abstain from singing. She may practise instrumental music in the interval,she may takeexercise in the house, but not in the open air, or she may interest herself in her studies of French or of Italian. Then she may sing again for another half hour, to be followed by a second period of thorough repose for the voice. A third half hour, or, at the most, a fourth, should conclude the vocal exercises of the day. One hears, sometimes, of professional singers that devote eight hours a day to their studies. This is altogether incorrect. Any voice submitted to such an ordeal would be worn out very speedily. The greatest care is necessary to avoid any relaxation of the vocal chords, a result that is sure to follow upon overfatigne of the throat. And when once it becomes chronic the mischief is irremediable. Such statements usually originate, not with the singers themselves—they know better than that —but with persons who write about the study of singing without any practical knowledge of the matter.