ments is in either case
absolutely the same, and it takes the form of one vowel or another,
solely according to the shape which the "resonator" assumes, and which
may be described as a mould into which the tone is cast. The quality of
the voice also--its throatiness, its nasal twang, its shrillness,
harshness, and ugliness, or its purity, roundness, fulness, and
beauty--depend mainly upon the nature of the resonator, and upon the
way in which we work it. It is, therefore, a matter of the highest
importance to be fully acquainted with this part of the vocal apparatus,
and I hope my readers will follow me in a brief consideration of it with
the more pleasure, as we are now speaking of parts which are directly
under the control of our will, and upon the proper management of which
so much depends.

There is a most able, most painstaking, and most instructive work upon
this subject, "Pronunciation for Singers," by Alexander Ellis, Esq.,
F.R.S., &c., published by J. Curwen and Sons, to which I would call the
attention of all who desire to make the best use of their voices. To be
really understood this book requires that the student should
conscientiously carry out all the experiments Mr. Ellis suggests. But
any one doing so will, I venture to assert, rise from the study of this
subject with a deeper conviction of the immense importance of the
"resonator," and with a clearer perception of the best way of managing
it than he ever had before. I obtain better and quicker results with my
pupils since I have learnt the lessons Mr. Ellis teaches, and I have no
doubt my fellow teachers will derive similar benefit from their study.

One of the few points upon which "doctors" do not differ is that the
tone, in order to be pure, resonant, and far-reaching, must be allowed
to come well to the front of the mouth. It should, as the phrase goes,
be directed against the hard palate just above the front teeth. But this
is an unfortunate way of putting it, as the tone fills the whole cavity
of the mouth, and cannot be "directed" like a jet of water upon any
given point. Nevertheless the idea sought to be conveyed by the
injunction is good, for it is certainly essential to good quality that
the tone should be brought well forward in the mouth. This is frequently
prevented by several circumstances which we will now consider:--

The "soft palate" may be in the way. This is the movable partition
shaped like an arch with the little pendant called