Chant du
Conservatoire de Musique," they are told to "flatten [or draw in] the
abdomen" and to "bulge out the chest." Thus the mystery is at once
cleared up, because the tremolo arises almost invariably from a weakness
of the muscles of the midriff or diaphragm, to which attention has
already been called in these pages. Owing to the abdomen being drawn in,
the midriff never properly contracts; the muscles are not sufficiently
exercised, and consequently have not power enough to resist the pressure
that is brought to bear upon them in singing. They tremble, and this
trembling being communicated to the lungs, which are resting upon them,
the stream of air they give forth, loses its evenness and continuity,
with the result I have just stated. It will be seen from the above
explanation that this tremolo, one of the greatest vices besetting
modern singing, and which has hitherto been held by many to be
incurable, may be got rid of completely, though perhaps not very
quickly, by the simple remedy of lung gymnastics on the right principle.
The tremolo may certainly also arise from weakness of some muscles in
the voicebox or larynx, by which the tension of the vocal ligaments is
diminished and increased in rapid alternation. But this is a case for a
medical man, which does not fall within my province to discuss, though I
am justified in saying, on the authority of Mr. Lennox Browne,[E] that
even in many of these cases the effect is clearly attributable to
faulty breathing, since there is seldom any local disease of the larynx;
while exercise on a right method of breathing will cure the spasmodic
action of the laryngeal muscles with but little or no medical treatment.

* * * * *

I need scarcely add that there is yet another kind of tremolo, which,
being absolutely under the control of the performer, is one of the chief
ornaments of song, and to which the observations just made in no way
apply.

* * * * *

In addition to the involuntary tremolo there are a number of other
afflictions, "Clergymen's sore throat" amongst them, which are admitted
by eminent medical authorities to be due to collar-bone breathing, and
which may be entirely cured by proper lung gymnastics, or, in other
words, by breathing exercises on the right principle; that is to say, by
calling into play the muscles of the abdomen and of the lower part of
the chest. This is a subject which is little