The Lips
Of special importance for the tone and the word are the movements of
the lips, which are so widely different in the bright and in the dark
vowels. These movements cannot be too much exaggerated in practising.
The same strength and elasticity to which we have to train the muscles
of the throat and tongue must be imparted to the lips, which must be
as of iron. Upon their cooeperation much of the life of the tone
depends,
and it can be used in many shadings, as soon as one is able
to exert their power consciously and under the control of the will.
Every vowel, every word, every tone, can be colored as by magic in all
sorts of ways by the well-controlled play of the lips; can, as it
were, be imbued with life, as the lips open or close more or less in
different positions. The lips are the final cup-shaped resonators
through which the tone has to pass. They can retard it or let it
escape, can color it bright or dark, and exert a ceaseless and ever
varying influence upon it long before it ceases and up to its very
end.
No attempt should be made to use the play of the lips until complete
mastery of the absolutely even, perfect tone, and of the muscular
powers, has been acquired. The effect must be produced as a result of
power and practice; and should not be practised as an effect per
se.