BY FRANK HERBERT TUBBS, Musical Director, New York Vocal Institute . colophon NEW YORK, FRANK H. TUBBS, 121 WEST 42D STREET. 1897. Copyright, 1897, Frank H. Tubbs....

There are times when one feels that he must turn from himself and receive suggestion, if not direct instruction, from some one else. Originating thought is more difficult than is the taking of other thought. By delving below the thought received we learn to originate. It is not necessarily an admission of weakness, that we turn to another, for busy life uses up our mental energy and throws us into mental inactivity. It is at such times that we turn to books and teachers. Thought is a substance w

"I am what I am because I was industrious; whoever is equally sedulous will be equally successful."       Bach. "To steer steadily towards an ideal standard is the only means of advancing in life, as in music."       Hiller. SEED-THOUGHTS FOR SINGERS....

A few decades ago a clumsy, lank, raw-boned boy roamed over the hills of the State of Ohio. He was not marked with the talent of many, nor was he noted for anything in particular except, perhaps, an aptness in "doing sums." Bare-footed, and with scanty clothing, he appeared at a school in a village near his home and begged admission. At first he was refused. Persistence overcame the opposition and he entered, becoming in a short time by his application, the leading spirit in the school. The cour

" Nothing should be done without a purpose. " Aurelius. " Music is never stationary; successive forms and styles are only like so many resting-places—like tents pitched and taken down again on the road to the Ideal. " Liszt....

European schools and teachers stand aghast at what American pupils demand and at their expectations. Accustomed to the years of attention to detail and to seeing their own students willing to wait long years before good results are achieved, they naturally think the American students wild. These Americans want to do in one year what Europeans are willing to use three or four years for. Those teachers say it cannot be done and set down American students as conceited fools. While at first glance t

" Slow, indeed, at times, is the will of the gods, but in the end not weak. "       s Euripedes....

The culture of the voice has come to be looked upon as a great and serious undertaking, and of such magnitude that but few have time for it, and those only should attempt it who have exceptionally fine voices. This is a mistake. Nearly everyone can sing, and if all would attempt to improve the voices they have by observing a few common-sense rules, it would soon be apparent that there are many more good singers among the masses than it is supposed exist, and these singers will learn how much can

" Observe how all passionate language does of itself become musical,—with a finer music than the mere accent; the speech of man even in jealous anger becomes a chant—a song. All deep things are song. "       Carlisle ....

A teacher of voice and singing who does not believe his way is the best in the world is in one of two positions:—either he is a scamp, passing off spurious goods for real worth, or he is doing the best he can in his knowledge and present situation, waiting for the time when he can obtain instruction in a better method. If a teacher believes he has the best way of teaching he has a perfect right to so express himself, and to use that method in his teaching. He may be wrong in his opinion but that

" He who is a true master, let him undertake what he will, is sure to accomplish something ."       Schumann . " To engender and diffuse faith, and to promote our spiritual well-being, are among the noblest aims of music ."       Bach ....

Every song or other vocal composition should be analyzed as the first step in its study. The first theme noted, and the second also, if such there be; the connecting bars; the points which are descriptive or which contain contrasts; the phrases which may present difficulties of vocalization; the climax; and, as well, what relation the prelude and other parts of the accompaniment bear to the song. It is probable that before the pupil is capable of doing this by himself, the teacher must do it for

" Art! who can say that he fathoms it! Who is there capable of discussing the nature of this great goddess? "       Beethoven . " Whatever the relations of music, it will never cease to be the noblest and purest of arts ."       Wagner ....

All vocal tone used in singing when produced at the vocal bands is small and probably always about alike. The tone which we hear is "colored", "re-inforced" etc., on the way from the vocal bands to the outer air. In order that the tone shall carry well and be heard in purity throughout a hall, the initial tone must be added to. This is done by its reverberation in cavities where there is confined air. By confined, is meant, air which is not being greatly disturbed. There are four such cavities,

"Character is the internal life of a piece, engendered by the composer; sentiment is the external expression, given to the work by the interpreter. Character is an intrinsic positive part of a composition; sentiment an extrinsic, personal matter only."     Christiani....

The very first question to ask of an applicant for vocal lessons is "what is your ambition?" By that, I mean, the teacher should know at the very start what purpose the pupil has in study, or if he has any purpose. The intention of the pupil should make a difference in the consideration given to the pupil in the matter of voice trial. If an applicant says he wishes to sing in Opera and the teacher sees that he lacks all capacity for such high position, he should frankly say so; if the applicant

" Were it not for music, we might, in these days, say the beautiful is dead. "       D'Israeli. " I verily think, and I am not ashamed to say that, next to Divinity, no art is comparable to music. "       Luther....

Perhaps no one chooses to question the statement that length of human life is greater in our generation than it was in the last, and much greater than it was one or two centuries ago, in the face of statistics which the medical profession puts forth. Question of such statement implies a hidden motive in the medical profession. Possibly that profession might have a motive in leading people to believe that life lasts longer. If there is such motive it is for the good of men. It also recognises the

" Life is a series of surprises. We do not guess to-day the work, the pleasure, the power of to-morrow, when we are building up our being. "     Emerson....

Fortunately, no two persons are exactly alike. If they were, the result would be the same and the everyday acts leading to a result would be the same. Nature, acquiescing in the Divine plan, has a different line of action and result for every individual which she creates. We find unlimited variety in man. The seat of activity is the mind and the first portion of the body to be acted upon by the mind is the brain. One man possesses more convolutions of brain than does another, and the fibre which