laxation of the
exterior muscles of the larynx which can no longer remain motionless
in the position during the emission of the sound. This distressing
permanent vibrato proceeds from ignorance or neglect of the register
limits.' W.H. Blare gives the warning, 'Do not allow the voice to
wobble, or become tremulous. A tremor is dangerous under any
circumstances and an ineffectual substitute for sustained, pathetic
tone color.' Sir Morrell Mackenzie, M.D., asserts that tremolo is
injurious, as tending to beget a depraved habit of singing. It is the
worst fault of a singer.

"In Kofler (art of breathing) he speaks of the tremolo: 'As to the
tremolo in the voice, I will only say that frequently the air is
expelled forcibly in order to picture with the voice a violent
outburst of passion and emotion, a light tremolo will produce a good
effect to give expression to a feeling of fear, anxiety, or anguish;
outside of this, the tremolo must never be used in singing. This is
often done to hide a worn-out voice, but more often because the singer
is under a foolish delusion that this tremolo is very expressive and
dramatic. I know of no style of singing so unnatural as a perpetual
tremolando brought on by injudicious training and the ignorance of the
art of breathing correctly.'"

I consider that I would be derelict in my duty as a teacher of voice
did I not insert this most important chapter in my book. I am glad to
have the best authorities on my side of the subject. I think it is the
true reason why we have such a dearth of fine singers in this
generation. It certainly is not because we have not the voices.
California can produce as fine voices as are found in Italy, but as
fast as they are found some unscrupulous fake comes along and finds
the unfortunate victim who begins training and in a few months the
papers are full of this wonderful find and future songstress. Then a
recital is planned and the beautiful young woman (if appearance has
any value) certainly fills all that has been noised about her. Endowed
by nature with a voice of unusual power and expressiveness she is a
most promising amateur and will perhaps be heard from in the future.
At least she will be if native gifts count. At last the opportunity
has arrived to hear this young singer of a few short months' training
in a group of songs. Our expectations are at the highest pitch as she
appears in all her youthful charms. But alas, how quickly is the spell
broken.