almost every music teacher has hitherto undertaken to teach Singing. This book will not, I am sure, add to the mystery. A careful perusal of its contents should clear away many misconceptions, and place the student on the right road to that end which he or she has in view. PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. That another large edition of this little Manual should be called for in so comparatively short a time is sufficiently encouraging testimony of the worth of the book and the favour it has found at the hands of students of singing and others--a result the more gratifying to the publishers since hitherto it has been issued with an anonymous title-page. Often has the authorship of the little volume been industriously defended and disputed--not by myself--both in this country and America; but, on the whole, the identity of its originator has been well maintained. For my part matters might have remained so, especially as I am not insensible to the fact that there is much "preaching" herein--as indeed there must be in such a work, and some of the advice is of such a nature that its giver runs the risk of being placed upon an exceeding high pinnacle of moral excellence, or of being accounted the personification of all the virtues--both of which distinctions might scarcely be merited. The appearance of my name upon the title-sheet is the result of no wish of mine, and I have consented to it only out of deference to the pressing request of the publishers. A chapter on the Physiological Surroundings of the Voice has been added to this edition. FREDERICK J. CROWEST. PREFACE TO THE SEVENTH EDITION. Once again my publishers have informed me of the necessity for reprinting this Manual, which has been so successful both here, in America, and in the Colonies. I have nothing to alter in the work, but I must express my thanks for the marked support that has been given to this straightforward advice. Did space permit, much might be said relative to that growing complaint, "Teachers' (or Board School) Laryngitis" as it is called. For some time past I have been authorized to make observations at the chief Throat Hospitals in connection with this constantly increasing mischief, arising from an injurious use of the voice in Teaching, and which only proper Voice Production will remedy. While I cannot give advice here, I shall be happy to answer any communications of sufferers from this complaint. FREDERICK J. CROWEST. 24 AMPTHILL SQUARE, LONDON, N.W. CONTENTS. _Page_ PRELIMINARY REMARKS 9 ON HABITS, DIET, &c. 13 Early Rising--Cleanliness--The Hair--The Teeth--Exercise--Dress-- Diet--Smoking--Late Hours--General Morality. PRONUNCIATION AND STUDY OF WORDS 21 Nervousness--Pronunciation--Vowel-Sounds--Consonants--English-- Emphasis--Position of Lips--Study of "Words"--General Education--Dramatic Study. VOICES AND THEIR VARIOUS QUALITIES 28 Voices and their Names--Compass--Soprano--Mezzo-Soprano-- Mezzo-Contralto--Contralto--Alto--Tenore-Leggiero--Tenore-Robusto-- Barytone and Basso-Cantante--Bass--Buffo--Qualities of Voices. INSTRUCTION, BOOKS AND MASTERS 47 Schools of Singing--Masters--Institutions--A First Opinion--Bad Lessons--Bad Teachers--Books of Exercises. PRACTICE 53 Individuality--Perseverance--Facial Expression--Self-Accompaniment-- Position of Body, Arms, Hands, Throat, Tongue, Larynx-- Head-Singing--Throatiness--Clearing the Throat--High Notes--The Scale--Forte, Mezzo-Voce, and Piano--Tone--Chest, Falsetto, and Head--Scale Practice--First Exercises (_with Examples_)--Duration of Practice--Singing in Tune--How to Begin--Variety--Chorus Singing--Humming--Studying Songs--Imitation--General Musical Study. ON STYLE AND EXPRESSION 71 Traditional Styles--Modern German _Lieder_--"The Cathedral School"--Oratorio (_with Examples_)--Opera--Ballads--Recitative (_with Examples_)--Slurring--Sentiment--Decision--Imitation--Public Singing--"Holding" an Audience--Mistakes in Public. ON TIME IN SINGING 87 The Metronome--Accent--Exercises: four beats to the bar; three beats to the bar; two beats to the bar. ON THE CHOICE OF MUSIC 103 Music to Suit the Voice--"Original Keys"--Execution--Fashion-- Forming a "Repertoire." PHYSIOLOGICAL SURROUNDINGS 109 The Larynx--The Thyroid--The Pharynx--The Voice; A Wind, Reed, or String Instrument. EXERCISES 115 Exercises 1, 2, for Uniting Notes--Exercise 3, for...