READING { Note Lengths
{ Rhythm

{ Vowels
{ Enunciation { Consonants
DICTION { Pronunciation
{ Accent
{ Emphasis

{ Even Scale
VOICE { Quality
{ Freedom
{ Breath Control

{ Attack
TECHNIC { Flexibility
{ Execution

{ Legato
PHRASING { Sostenuto
{ Power
{ Contrast { Tempo
{ Color
{ Proportion

{ Emotional Concept
MOOD { Facial Expression
{ Stage Presence

Most of the things mentioned in this outline of interpretation have been
discussed elsewhere, but the subject of diction requires further
explanation.

DICTION

The mechanism of speech might be discussed at any length, but to reduce
it to its simplest form it consists of the sound producing
instrument,--the vocal cords, the organs of enunciation--lips, tongue,
teeth and soft palate, and the channel leading to the outer air. When
the vocal cords are producing pitch and the channel is free the result
is a vowel. If an obstruction is thrown into the channel the result is a
consonant. Vowels and consonants, then, constitute the elements of
speech. The vowels are the emotional elements and the consonants are the
intellectual elements. By means of vowel sounds alone emotions may be
awakened, but when definite ideas are expressed, words which are a
combination of vowels and consonants must be used. It is nothing short
of amazing that with this simple mechanism, by using the various
combinations of open and obstructed channel in connection with pitch,
the entire English language or any other language for that matter can be
produced.

Vowels are produced with an open channel from the vocal cords to the
outer air. Consonants are produced by partial or complete closing of the
channel by interference of the lips, tongue, teeth and soft palate.

If language consisted entirely of vowels learning to sing would be much
simpler than it is. It is the consonants that cause trouble. It is not
uncommon to find students who can vocalize with comparative ease, but
the moment they attempt to sing words the mechanism becomes rigid. The
tendency toward rigidity is much greater in enunciating consonants than
it is in enunciating vowels, and yet they should be equally e