EXERCISE 175 



In the Century Magazine of June, 1907, the famous 

 Australian singer, Madame Melba, gives the following 

 testimony, which should be of especial interest to girls : 



"For perfect singing, correct breathing, strange 

 as it may sound, is even more essential than a beautiful 

 voice. No matter how exquisite the vocal organ may 

 be, its beauty cannot be adequately demonstrated 

 without proper breath control. . . . Phrasing, tone, 

 resonance, expression, all depend upon respiration ; 

 and, in my opinion, musical students, even when too 

 young to be allowed the free use of the voice, should 

 be thoroughly taught the principle of breathing. 



" Indeed, the science of taking breath is a study 

 peculiarly suited to the years of childhood and ado- 

 lescence ; for, apart from other considerations, there 

 are few things so conducive to good health as good 

 breathing. And, owing to the greater elasticity of 

 the human frame in the time of youth, the chest is 

 then more easily developed and expanded. Any 

 exercises that give strength to the diaphragm are of 

 especial value, since this is the chief muscle of inspira- 

 tion. Expiration, however, is not so easily controlled 

 as inspiration, and on that score calls for the most 

 careful practice. . . . 



"Of course robust physical health is of paramount 

 importance. Without it a great vocal career is ab- 

 solutely barred. ... I admit that there is much in 

 a singer's life conducive to this physical robustness, 

 as, for example, the vigorous use of the breathing 



