Chapter 1

THE CLAIMS AND IMPORTANCE OF VOCAL PHYSIOLOGY.

Science and art--The engineer, architect, physician, nurse, and others, compared with the vocal teacher and learner--Unfavorable tendencies--The old masters--The great elocutionists--Causes of failure--The lack of an adequate technique--Correct methods are physiological--Summary of the advantages of teaching and learning based on scientific principles--Illustrations of the application of physiological principles to actual cases--The evils from which speakers and singers suffer owing to wrong methods--Speaking and singing based on the same principles--Relation of hygiene to physiology 17