Expressive Voice Culture | Page 8

element, by allowing the mind to go off into the
sensation of "jingle" without reference to its expression of the thought
or its relation to the thought. But if the sense of rhythm is duly
developed, and then this sensibility, as well as all others, is surrendered
to the service of the thought, it furnishes an element of beauty which
cannot easily be dispensed with. The reason we associate rhythm with
the significance of time is that rhythm is a measurer of time.
In connection with this step the practice of melodies is useful, if one
has musical taste. Simple, familiar melodies are best--such as "The Last
Rose of Summer," "Annie Laurie," "Flow Gently, Sweet Afton," etc.,
etc. The importance of rhythm is well expressed by Emerson, who said
that the rhythm of Shakespeare's verse was always the outcome of the
thought.
The term "ellipse" has been sometimes used to express the implied
action of the mind during the pause--describing an orbit of thought
implied but not stated in the words.
The illumination of the pause, or the responsiveness of the voice, in
exhibiting those modifications of quality which give significance, may
be greatly enhanced by the practice of such selections as express much
beauty of thought and variety of significance,--such as Shelley's "The
Cloud,"--things which are somewhat philosophical in their significance;
by selections which suggest much more than is definitely stated,--"Aux
Italiens," by Owen Meredith, "He and She," by Edwin Arnold, "Evelyn
Hope," by Robert Browning; also chapters from philosophy that is
poetically expressed, such as Emerson's "Essays." In practising these

for the special development of significance every effort should be made
to realize the thought quality in the voice, so that each word may seem
to picture forth the full truth that lies behind it, and that all shall move
in such harmony as to suggest the deeper meanings. The quality of
expressiveness, or clear response to thought in the voice, it will be
observed, is secured through the ready service of all its powers under
the influence of the mental concept. It is to be attained by the attitude
of receptivity and the effort to think through the voice.
This form of expression in voice corresponds to the suggestive in art,
and when the student has attained the power of fulfilling its
requirements his work can be called artistic. One should never attempt
to measure his progress by listening to himself directly; but keeping the
ideal in mind, he may come to realize himself as harmonizing with that,
and a sense of freedom from limitation will at last crown his endeavors.

CHAPTER IV
The Relation of Technique to Rendering.
It is certainly true that the highest use of the voice is the revelation of
the soul. The most important and effective means of cultivation lie in
the exercise of the voice under such mental conditions as shall invite
the expression of the highest thoughts, but the voice is in one sense an
instrument which is capable of being attuned. Right technical study and
practice adjust the instrument in proper relations with the natural laws
of its use, and establish, or deepen, the tendency to obey those laws.
Hence the mind finds a more ready response in the instrument, and one
is able to express with greater facility all that the soul desires to reveal.
It would seem of little consequence that a person should be able to use
the voice well simply as an ornamental accomplishment; for these
agents of expression, these powers of the material being, have a higher
significance than the mere exhibition of any qualities, however
admirable. Such a motive in studying expression would be a very
shallow one, for what would it signify in comparison with the great
purposes of living?

But so long as these instruments of ours do not serve us they are a
hindrance to the higher expression of our being and the
accomplishment of our highest mission to others. We do indeed desire
to escape from the material and transient into the world of eternal
verities, but these conditions are given us for a purpose. They have
their use, and we cannot escape from the imprisonment in which we
find ourselves until we have solved their meaning and conquered them
for the service of the higher mind. We therefore study, not for the
attainment of particular feats, but to secure the obedience of all our
activities to the higher laws through which they can fulfil the purpose
for which they were created.
This harmonizing of the forces having been once accomplished, little
time is required to keep in tune this harp of the soul; while the broader
culture and the higher realization of all meanings that can be expressed
are constantly sought in such discipline of the mind itself as