Excerpt from The Singing Voice
After having read Mr. Benjamin's remarks upon singing, and having carefully sung each one of his progressive vocalizes myself, I have no hesitation in saying that the vocal method here set forth is admirable, and - given good material upon which to work - should, with conscientious study, be productive of excellent results. It is absolutely essential, however, that individual voices be individually trained in order to overcome faults, or to improve good qualities.
In singing, as in every other art, whether of peace or of war, everything depends upon the "man behind the gun;" the pupil is, as it were, the gun; the master is the man who trains it; the execution that the gun so trained performs, must, under proper guidance, be effective.
It almost seems that less common sense is exercised by would be singers (and those of their families who are enthusiastic about them) than by persons who are preparing for other walks of life; they think that nothing but voice is necessary, and are usually oblivious to the fact that in this branch of art more care is needed than in any other, not only in the actual schooling of the vocal organs, but of the mind as well and of the body as a whole, in order that strength may be acquired to withstand the great strain of a busy professional life.
The possession of a fine voice is as frequent among the uneducated as among the educated classes of society; and it follows that, as the former are much more numerous, corresponding care should be taken in the all-round mental training of the average pupil.
At this time, when general education and particular regard for the English language is at such a low ebb in America, I cannot too seriously impress upon all singers the absolute necessity of culture, of refinement of mind and body, of demeanor, and of diction.
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