I want to
connect _[=a]_ and _[=e]_) I must join the _[=a]_ closely to the _y_,
and the _y_ closely to the _[=e]_, so that there is not the least
resonating space between the two that is not filled during the changes
in the position of the organs, however carefully this is undertaken.
There must be no empty space, no useless escape of breath, between any
two of the sounds.

[Illustration:

oo [=e] o [=a] ah

oo o [=e] y ah y [=a] y]

[Illustration:

Bad. oo [=e] o [=a] ah

Good. oo o [=e] ah [=a]]

[Illustration:

Wrong. oo [=e] o [=a] ah

Right. oo o [=e] ah [=a]]

At first only two, then three and four, and then all the vowels in
succession must be so practised:--

_A-ye, a-ye-yu, a-ye-yoo-yue, a-ye-yo-yue-yu-ye-yah._

But there must be never more than so much breath at hand as is needed
to make the vowel and the tone perfect. The more closely the vowels
are connected with the help of the _y_, the less breath is emitted
from the mouth unused, the more intimate is the connection of tone,
and the less noticeable are the changes of the position of the organs
in relation to each other.

When I pass from _y[=a]-y[=e]_ to _yoo_, I am compelled to develop
very strongly the muscular contraction of the lips, which are formed
into a long projecting spout; and this movement cannot be sufficiently
exaggerated. With every new _y_ I must produce renewed muscular
contractions of the vocal organs, which gradually, through continuous
practice, are trained to become almost like the finest, most pliable
steel, upon which the fullest reliance may be placed. From _yoo_ it
is best to go to _yue_, that lies still farther forward and requires of
the lips an iron firmness; then to _yo_, touching slightly on the _e_
that lies above the _o_; then return to _y[=a]_, and not till then
going to _ye-ah_, which must then feel thus:--

e
oo-o ah-[=a]
y

The _y_ is taken under the _ah_, that the word may not slide under;
for usually the thought of _ah_ relaxes all the organs: the tongue
lies flat, the larynx becomes unsteady, is without definite position,
and the palate is not arched and is without firmness. In this way _ah_
becomes the most colorless and empty vowel of the whole list.

With every change of vowel, or of any other letter, there are changes
in the position of the organs, since tongue, palate, and larynx must
take different positions for different sounds.

With _[=a]_ and _[=e]_ the larynx stands higher