Page:Choirmaster's Manual.djvu/45

Rh V. 3, line 6. "The cry goes up" [pause; then ff], "How long."

Most words may be analyzed like this, to the edification of the listener and the musical benefit of the singers.

Monotoning. Monotoning should always be taken with the "head-voice." The carrying down of the head-register causes no fatigue; on the other hand, the "chest" tones often used on  are wearing and wearying to the highest degree.

Care must be taken that the attack of the new sentence should not be slurred up to ("scooped"), but the tone continued evenly throughout. It is not necessary to breathe after each sentence in the Lord's prayer, for instance.

All work should be finished with plenty of breath to spare. If there is no breath the throat closes.

No congregation can be expected to listen to music badly sung. One of the essentials of good music is thoroughness of detail.

No two voices are alike, so after the main principles are grasped there is excellent opportunity for the application of original ideas.

Practice may be a benefit, or a detriment. It must be guided by understanding, if it is to benefit. An exercise has no value unless the principle involved be clearly understood.

In conclusion, this book does not intend to say all there is to say on a vast subject. Its purpose will be