Care Of The Body

Singers seem to think but little of the tools with which they carry on

their life work. That is the rule. Now and then a singer takes the

opposite course and becomes unreasonably careful of his tools. In that

case he is worse off than the careless. The "happy medium" is in all

things the desirable state.



Our tools as singers are enclosed within the body and are the body. To

have the body ready to respond o the musical demands it must be well

and strong. To keep it well should be our first care. Happily we are so

made that by following a few simple rules of living the body goes on

through a long term of years without getting seriously out of order.

Some persons can boast that they are never ill while many report but one

sickness during a decade. The needed attention to the bodily wants, has,

in these cases, been properly given. If all were as careful to do the

same and not overdo the matter, perfect health would be the rule and not

the exception.



The body needs nourishing food, clothing to preserve nearly uniform



temperature, sufficient sleep, generous exercise, and thorough

cleansing. Nothing more. Neglect of these, or as is more often the case,

overdoing some of the first, is cause of disorder and disease. A singer

cannot afford to have the tools of his employment other than in

first-rate condition. If he does he enters his work, unnecessarily

handicapped.



General advice regarding the eating and drinking is often given. Making

it more specific, we would say, eat only such food as is easily

digested and insist that it shall be thoroughly cooked. Supply the body

with enough such for its maintenance only. The singer, again, cannot

afford to eat what is not needed, be that of kind or amount. Most

persons in running a furnace will feed fuel twice a day, at night and

morning. In specially cold weather giving the fire a little extra fuel

at noon. This is a good rule for feeding the body. Avoid over-feeding.

The object of eating is to nourish the body and not to gratify appetite.

It makes little difference whether the palate is pleased or not. The

body could be nourished on food which does not taste so good as some

other. Eating, to most people, is more palate gratification than

anything else. In doing so, the body is overfed and clogged. Singers

cannot afford that.



Sleep. To recover the waste of body at each days' work, quiet restful

sleep is needed. Eight hours, or better nine, out of each twenty-four.

In a cool room where possible and with plenty of fresh air. People who

eat rationally need not fear taking cold by sleeping in a room with a

draught of air through it. Fresh air, fresh, good food and cleanliness

are necessary to the best results in singing study.



No rule can be given about bathing. Some students can stand a thorough

bath every day. Others, only once in ten days. A sponge bath, if no

other, should be had daily, that the pores of the body may be kept open

and clear.



Clothing should be sufficient to keep the temperature of the body even.

No need of wrapping the throat even when going into the open air, if the

temperature of the body generally is even. We do pamper our bodies and

think we are uncomfortable. In one sweeping sentence, be vigorous and

good-natured and the body will the better serve us. A long walk each day

in the fresh air adds to that vigor, and also to our good-nature.