Little Things Effect

Every shade of tone has a meaning which is either artistic or inartistic

and one who has developed his appreciation of artistic rendition can so

use his tone that just the right effect will be produced with his tone.

A noted cartoonist recently showed by two little dots the ability which

he possessed to change the character of his picture. He had drawn a

sketch of a sweet young girl; rosy cheeks and cherry lips; big sleeves
< r /> and a Gainsborough hat; the most demure and modest little girl ever

imagined. Then to carry out a joke he changed the position of the eyes,

just rubbing on two dots. The character of the whole picture now

changed. The demure little girl became the sauciest Miss that could be

imagined and one could almost imagine a shrug to the shoulders. Are

singers less able to portray in art than is the cartoonist? If we know

the resources at our command and how to use them we can give expression

just as well as any other artist can. We do not always know how small a

thing can change all expression. The bright face, the warmer tone, the

more elastic delivery of voice, quicker attack, all have their value in

expressing something.



Not enough attention is paid to personal appearance before an audience.

There are a few things which can be prepared before our appearance which

can make the whole performance more artistic. The way of walking across

the stage, taking position before the audience, manner of holding the

music, of turning its leaves, way of looking up while singing, way of

leaving the stage; all these have to do with artistic rendition. They

should be taught to pupils by the teacher and should become part of the

pupils' instruction. We give all attention to tone and that is only part

of the instruction which the student needs. The other matters must not

be left to chance. The little things point out the difference between

the singer and the artist.