Resonance Danyel Resonance in Singing and Speaking Paperback

THE VOCAL INSTRUMENTSince the vocal organism first became an object of systematic study, dis-cussion has been constant as to whether the human vocal instrument is astringed instrument, a reed instrument, or a whistle. Discussion of the ques-tion seems futile, for practically it is all of these and more. The human vocalorgans form an instrument, sui generis, which cannot be compared with anyother one thing. Not only is it far more complex than any other instrument,being capable, as it is, of imitating nearly every instrument in the catalogueand almost every sound in nature, but it is incomparably more beautiful, aninstrument so universally superior to any made by man that comparisonsand definitions fail.ELEMENTSThe human vocal instrument has the three elements common to all musicalinstruments,-a motor, a vibrator, and a resonator; to which is added-whatall other instruments lack-an articulator.1. The respiratory muscles and lungs for a =motor=.3 THOMAS FILLEBROWN2. The vocal cords for a =vibrator=.3. The throat, mouth, and the nasal and head cavities for a =resonator=.4. The tongue, lips, teeth, and palate for an =articulator=.These elements appear in as great a variety of size and proportion as dothe variations of individual humanity, and each element is, moreover, vari-able according to the will or feeling of the individual. This susceptibilityto change constitutes a modifying power which gives a variety in tone qual-ity possible to no other instrument and makes it our wonder and admira-tion. The modification and interaction of these various parts produced bythe emotions of the singer or speaker give qualities of tone expressive of thefeelings, as of pain or pleasure, grief or joy, courage or fear.TIMBREThe minute differences in these physical conditions, coupled with the sub-tler differences in the psychical elements of the personality, account for thatdistinctive physiognomy of the voice called =timbre=, which is only anothername for individuality as exhibited in each person. The same general ele-ments enter into the composition of all voices, from the basso profundo tothe high soprano.That the reader may better understand the proportion and relations of thedifferent parts of the vocal apparatus, a sectional drawing of the head is hereproduced, showing the natural position of the vocal organs at rest. As thedrawing represents but a vertical section of the head the reader should notethat the sinuses, like the eyes and nostrils, lie in pairs to the right and leftof the centre of the face. The location of the maxillary sinuses within themaxillary or cheek bones cannot be shown in this drawing.The dark shading represents the cavities of the throat, nose, and head. The