Customer Reviews

Hints on singing

Although it was probably helpful in its day, much of what it teaches is not effective, and some is downright wrong. In order to make sure a singer keeps their chin back, the book suggests pinning a band of paper around the neck and in front of the chin. Several other "hints" also seem to be ineffective or harmful to the voice.

What's more, much of the book is taught in the silly old style of question/answer. For example:

"Q. While the faults of emission are mending is there any other study to be pursued?
A. The acquirement of agility.
Q. How is this to be obtained?
A. By the study of diatonic scales, passages of combined intervals, arpeggios, chromatic scales, turns, shakes, light and shade.
Q. How long will this study take?
A. Not less than two years."

And so on. Modern books on vocal pedagogy put this book in their lengthy bibliographies, and you will probably want to read this book if you are working on a dissertation of vocal ped. history. Perhaps professional singers could benefit from this book, provided they knew enough to know what parts of the book to ignore. Otherwise, stick to the books by Richard Miller, Clifton Ware, Larra Henderson, and the like.