Download or read book How to Breathe Speak and Sing written by Robert Stephenson and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-03-08 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the PREFACE. The following pages are the substance of lectures I have delivered from time to time at various centres in London. My object has been to set forth the main features of the Old Italian Method of voice production in relation more particularly to the study of the speaking voice, and to show that, whether for singing or elocution, the same preliminary training is necessary. The "Old Italian Method" is a debatable term, and my meaning will be clearer when I say that I refer to the method taught by the late Francesco Lamperti, of Milan, by Mr. William Shakespeare, and by Mr. Edward Iles, of the Royal Academy of Music. A desire to shed light in dark places, and by reference to its numerous advantages- artistic, hygienic, and therapeutic- to encourage people to apply themselves to the study, of voice production has also contributed to the writing of this little work. A series of progressive exercises designed for the student will be found at the end of Chapters I, II, III, and VIII. My experience as a teacher at the London County Council evening schools goes to show that, if performed with intelligence and per- severance, these exercises will do much to remove vocal troubles, and will lay the foundation of a cultivated and standard pronunciation, even in the most unpromising cases. The collection of vocal exercises with piano accompaniment at the conclusion of this volume, together with Chapter VIII, which deals with the Old Italian Method will be found of more interest to the vocalist than to the student of the speaking voice, though the latter is strongly advised to bear in mind the dictum of Morell Mackenzie, which appears at the head of Chapter I, and to resolutely pursue his studies in the direction of vocal technique......