Chapter III: Part I: The Vocal Mechanism

CHAPTER

I. THE VOCAL ORGANS, THEIR OPERATION AND HYGIENE 1

The vocal instrument; anatomy of the vocal organs; the
healthy mechanism--The larynx; the laryngoscope;
operations of the laryngeal muscles--Tone production; the
resonating cavities; vowel formation; articulation--Vocal
hygiene; incorrect tone production; throat stiffness and
its cure.

II. VOCAL CULTIVATION AND THE OLD ITALIAN METHOD 24

Historical aspect of vocal cultivation--The modern
conception of voice culture; the mechanical and
psychological methods--Ancient systems--Mediæval
Europe--The revival of solo singing; the rise of
coloratura--The old Italian method--The _bel canto_
teachers: Caccini; Tosi and Mancini; the _Conservatoire_
method; the Italian course of instruction; theoretical
basis of the Italian method.

III. MODERN SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF VOICE CULTURE 55

The transition from the old to the modern system;
historical review of scientific investigation; Manuel
García; progress of the scientific idea; Helmholtz, Mandl,
and Merkel--Diversity of practices in modern methods; the
scientific system; breathing; laryngeal action; registers;
resonance; emission of tone; the singer’s sensations;
correction of faults; articulation--General view of modern
voice culture.