d impressive thought, sentential
pitch of a degree somewhat lower than normal pitch is appropriate. The
degree of elevation and depression must be determined by the judgment
and good taste of the reader; but it must be borne in mind that this
degree may vary from passage to passage, and from sentence to sentence,
and even from phrase to phrase.

In every style of diction, no matter how unimpassioned it may be, there
will be frequent changes in the train of thought, and frequent changes
in the intensity of feeling; to represent these changes there should be
corresponding variations, or =transitions in sentential pitch=. These
transitions also serve another purpose, namely, to indicate an
interpolated or parenthetical idea. In making transitions the voice
follows the general law of all vocal interpretation; strong contrasts in
thought and feeling are marked by transitions of wide intervals, and
lesser contrasts by lesser intervals.

_Transitions in pitch are naturally accompanied by corresponding changes
in force, rate of utterance, and phrasing_; and, like all other modes of
expression, these receive their color from the intensity of thought and
feeling of which they are the symbols. For example, in the rendering of
a parenthetical clause (since, as a rule, the thought expressed in the
parenthesis is of less gravity than the thought in the main sentence),
the voice will manifest itself in lighter force and generally in quicker
movement, that is, in lighter, less contrasting colors; but whether the
pitch be raised or lowered depends upon the sentential pitch appropriate
to the main sentence,--it should be in contrast with that. And it may be
remarked in passing, that the reading of the parenthesis should end with
a phrase melody similar to that appropriate to the words immediately
before the parenthesis, so that the ear may naturally be carried back to
the proper place in the main clause for the continuation of the
expression of the principal thought.

=Radical Pitch=, that is the pitch with which the opening of a syllable
is uttered, is, in respect of appropriate employment, the most important
element of reading or speaking; but all that can be done here, is to
call attention to this, and leave the student to exercise his taste and
judgment in regard to its use. The importance of appropriately varying
radical pitch so as to impart melody to continued utterance will be seen
at once if a simple sentence (for example, "_T