Mistakes must be carefully pointed out and explained. Repetition of an error confirms it.
If it is necessary to practise in church, or to finish off any work with the organ, be careful to impress the solemnity of the place on the boys. Should a choirmaster himself forget he is not in the practice-room, or be guilty of joking or any inconsistency, he cannot expect his boys to be reverent. It is not so much a high standard of conduct that is required during services, as a general feeling of solemnity in and respect for the house of God whenever entered, that is necessary to inculcate into boys.
CHAPTER II
ON BREATHING
The basis of true vocal tone is the management of the breath. It is not the amount of breath taken, but the amount controlled, that tells; but develop the lungs by every means.
Don't spend too much time learning to control the breath alone; take vocal exercises in conjunction with breathing-exercises.
The act of breathing is passive rather than active.
The system known as "lateral-costal" is the method used with the greatest success, and the exercises in this book are based on that method.
All breathing should be deep (abdominal), and while there should be absolutely no rigidity, the chest should be raised and remain so throughout the musical phrase; the shrinking should take place at the waist-line.
