pianist. He must be able
to commit large numbers of notes, phrases and passages. In his case
there are a number of keys to grasp at once, but the singer can sing but
one tone at a time. Both notes and words should be memorized, so the
singer can come before the audience without being confined to the
printed page. When acting is added there is still more to remember. Back
of memory study lies concentration; without concentration little can be
accomplished in any branch of art.

IMAGINATION

"The central factor is imagination; what can be done without it! Can you
think of a musician, especially a singer, without imagination? He may
acquire the letter--that is, execute the notes correctly, but the
performance is dead, without life or soul. With imagination he
comprehends what is the inner meaning of the text, the scene; also what
the composer had in mind when he wrote. Then he learns to express these
emotions in his own voice and action, through the imaginative power,
which will color his tones, influence his action, render his portrayal
instinct with life. Imagination in some form is generally inherent in
all of us. If it lies dormant, it can be cultivated and brought to bear
upon the singer's work. This is absolutely essential.

ANALYSIS

"I have put analysis last because it is the crowning virtue, the prime
necessity. We study analysis here in the studios, learning how to
separate music into its component parts, together with simple chord
formations, general form and structure of the pieces, and so on. Can you
comprehend the dense ignorance of many music students on these subjects?
They will come here to me, never having analyzed a bit of music in their
lives, having not an inkling of what chord structure and form in music
mean. If they played piano even a little, they could hardly escape
getting a small notion of chord formation. But frequently vocal
students know nothing of the piano. They are too apt to be superficial.
It is an age of superficiality--and cramming: we see these evils all the
way from the college man down. I am a Yale man and don't like to say
anything about college government, yet I cannot shut my eyes to the fact
that men may spend four years going through college and yet not be
educated when they come out. Most of us are in too much of a hurry, and
so fail to take time enough to learn things thoroughly; above all we
never stop to analyze.

"Analysis should begin at the very outset of our