mbs 124

MY BREATHING SYSTEM

be found invaluable froin the point of view of increasing the rangę of extensibility of the muscles of respiration, thus rendering the chest morc flcxible. The vital capacity does not depend upon the size of the chest, but upon the mobility of the chest walls and the elasticity of the lungs, which are greatly increased by my free and breathing exercises, and also by good sports (such as rowing), when performed witli strict attention to proper breathing. It is the difference between the circumfcrence of the chest after a fuli inspiration and after a deep exhalation which telts. I have met sonie of the “ strongest ” weight-lifters in the world, who have yet died when about forty years of age. They had a chest measurement of about 50 inches, but an expansion of only jj or 1 inch, whereas several famous singers or first-class rowing men could show an expansion of 10 inches, cven if their greatest chest circumference be only 45 inches.

I havc perused scores of English and (jerman manuals on “ The Art of Breathing for Voice Production,” or under similar titlcs. One advocated special abdominal breathing ; another only clavicular breathing; a third, a lateral costal method ; a fourth, respiration with the back ;. a fifth, a hysterical female singing teacher, recommends deep sighs! and so 011. Ali of which is nonsensical, and must have done a great amount of harm, directly or indirectly, by preventing students from lcarning a good method. Even the London County CounciTs “ Syllabus of Graduated Instruction in Singing ” is fuli of errors.

The best way of inhaling while singing is that prescribed in " my complete breatli," with the exccption that it must always be performed quickly and through the mouth, and, further, it is of course, not always possible to rest the hands on the hips (which position makes the raising of shotilders and upper chest easier). The reason why the breath must here be inhaled through the mouth is not only that it can

124