1891.] on the Culture of the Singing Voice, 341 



" When the vocal bands are shortened in the change at the lower 

 break in the voice, it is mainly due to closure of the cartilaginous 

 portion of the glottis, the ligamentous portion not usually being 

 affected. If, therefore, the cartilaginous glottis is not closed there is 

 usually no material change in the length of the vocal cords." 



" As the voice ascends from the lower break the vocal cords increase 

 in length and diminish in width, the posterior portion of the glottic 

 chink opens more and more, the capitula Santorini are tilted forward 

 and the epiglottis rises until, in the neighbourhood of E, treble clef, 

 fourth space, another change occurs. The glottic chink is then 

 reduced to a very narrow slit ; in some subjects extending the whole 

 length of the glottis ; in others closing in front or behind in both. 

 Not only is the cartilaginous glottis always closed, but the ligamen- 

 tous glottis is, I believe, invariably shortened. The arytenoid 

 cartilages are tilted backward, and the epiglottis is depressed. As 

 the voice ascends in the head register the cavity of the larynx is 

 reduced in size, the arytenoid cartilages are tilted forward and 

 brought closer together, the epiglottis is depressed and the vocal 

 cords decreased in length and breadth. If the posterior part of the 

 ligamentous portion of the glottis is not closed in the lower, it is 

 likely to be in the upper notes of the voice." 



The series of photographs which were shown by Dr. French were 

 not selected to prove any preconceived ideas ; they simply represent 

 the variations which will be met with in any four consecutive studies. 

 It is, however, scarcely to be wondered at that the theories regarding 

 the action of the glottis in singing differ so widely, especially those 

 based upon the study of one subject or of a few. 



Dr. French personally is of opinion that the female voice has 

 three registers, and considers it quite probable that in voices with 

 exceptional ranges there are four registers. At the same time, he 

 says that sufficient evidence has not yet been obtained to make this 

 demonstrable. 



I am glad to have been able to show that this, the latest achieve- 

 ment of abstract science, so fully corroborates the views held by 

 competent teachers of singing as to the enormous variety in producing 

 the singing voice, and I can only, in conclusion of my discourse, 

 express, together with my warmest thanks to Dr. French for having 

 allowed me to illustrate my opinions by aid of the results of his 

 perseverance and industry, the conviction that that teacher will be 

 the most successful one who individualises in every single case 

 confided to his care, remembering how delicate the mechanism is 

 which is entrusted to him and how easily mischief may be wrought 

 by wrong training, whilst that pupil will the most probably reap the 

 best fruits of his studies who aims only at perfecting that which has 

 been given to him by Nature, not at achieving what is impossible 

 according to physiological laws. 



[F. S.] 



Vol. XIII. (No. 85.) 2 a 



