The Speaking Voice Principles of Training Simplified And Condensed

f Approach CHAPTER II. The Essay CHAPTER III. The Fable CHAPTER IV. Lyric Poetry CHAPTER V. Didactic Poetry CHAPTER VI. The Short Story CHAPTER VII. Epic Poetry CHAPTER VIII. The Dramatic Monologue And The Play viii INTRODUCTION NEXT to that primary instinct, the instinct for self-preservation, the strongest impulse of the human heart is for self- expression. The failure of society to provide simple and natural means of self-preservation has led to the American anarchist. The failure of education to provide for the training of the simple and natural means of self-expression has led to the American voice. We cram the student's mind with a knowledge of beauty and truth, but do not free the channels of communication and expression through which, in the act of sharing the knowledge he has acquired, the student assimilates and recreates that beauty and truth and finds it a vital force in his soul life and a vital index of his culture. How many of us would waste the time we do waste, in idle gossip, if we knew we could adequately express half the "worth-while" ideas we conceive but dare not utter because our instruments are out of tune and we know they will betray us ? What musician would consent to play on a piano which had not been put in perfect tune? Our first step, then, is to tune the instrument; to put the voice in proper condition for use; to learn to support, free, and re- enforce the tone which is to be converted later, ...