XXIII

OSCAR SAENGER

USE OF RECORDS IN VOCAL STUDY

Mr. Oscar Saenger has been termed "maker of artists," since a number of
our great singers have come from under his capable hands. He has a rare
gift for imparting instruction in a way that is concise and convincing.
A man of wide experience, profound knowledge of his subject, commanding
personality and winning courtesy, he impresses all who come within his
radius that he knows whereof he speaks. A man who "knows what he knows"
is one to be followed.

Mr. Saenger had just returned from a season of travel over America as
far as the Coast. A most profitable trip he called it, filled with many
interesting and unique experiences. He had been lecturing also, in a
number of cities, on his new method of vocal study with the aid of the
Victor Talking Machine. When he learned I had come expressly to ask for
his ideas on vocal technic and study, he said:

"I think you will be interested to hear about my latest hobby, the
study of singing with the aid of records." Then he plunged at once into
the most absorbingly interesting account of his ideas and achievements
in this line I had ever listened to.

TEACHER, ARTIST AND ACCOMPANIST IN ONE

"This is my own idea, of combining the teacher, artist and accompanist
in one trinity," he began. "And, by the way, my idea is now patented in
Washington. It is the result of nine years' thought and labor, before
the idea could be brought out in its finished form. The design has been
to make the method and its elucidation so simple that the girl from a
small town can understand it.

"The method consists of twenty lessons for each of the five kinds of
voices: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone and Bass. Each portfolio
holds twenty records, together with a book containing minute directions
for studying and using the records. I believe that any one, with good
intelligence, who wishes to learn to sing, can take the book and records
and begin his studies, even though he has never sung before. He can thus
prepare himself for future lessons. For you must understand this method
is not meant to replace the teacher, but to aid the teacher. I can
assure you it aids him in ways without number. It gives him a perfect
exemplar to illustrate his principles. If he be fatigued, or unable to
sing the passage in question, here is an artist who is never wearied,
who is always ready to do it for him. I myself constantly use the
records in my le