The dramatic critic of The London _Times_ once declared that acting is

nine-tenths voice work. Leaving the message aside, the same may justly be said

of public speaking. A rich, correctly-used voice is the greatest physical factor

of persuasiveness and power, often over-topping the effects of reason.

 

But a good voice, well handled, is not only an effective possession for the

professional speaker, it is a mark of personal culture as well, and even a

distinct commercial asset. Gladstone, himself the possessor of a deep, musical

voice, has said: "Ninety men in every hundred in the crowded professions will

probably never rise above mediocrity because the training of the voice is

entirely neglected and considered of no importance." These are words worth

pondering.

 

There are three fundamental requisites for a good voice:

 

_1. Ease_

 

Signor Bonci of the Metropolitan Opera Company says that the secret of good

voice is relaxation; and this is true, for relaxation is the basis of ease. The

air waves that produce voice result in a different kind of tone when striking

against relaxed muscles than when striking constricted muscles. Try this for

yourself. Contract the muscles of your face and throat as you do in hate, and

flame out "I hate you!" Now relax as you do when thinking gentle, tender

thoughts, and say, "I love you." How different the voice sounds.