"Young singers ask me what vowels to use in vocal practice. In my own
study I use them all. Of course some are more valuable than others. The
O is good, the E needs great care; the Ah is the most difficult of all.
I am aware this is contrary to the general idea. But I maintain that the
Ah is most difficult; for if you overdo it and the lips are too wide
apart, the result is a white tone. And on the other hand, if the lips
are nearer--or too near together, or are not managed rightly, stiffness
or a throaty quality is apt to result; then the tone cannot 'float.' I
have found the best way is to use the mixed vowels, one melting into the
other. The tone can be started with each vowel in turn, and then mingled
with the rest of the vowels. Do you know, the feathered songster I love
best--the nightingale--uses the mixed vowels too. Ah, how much I have
learned from him and from other birds also! Some of them have harsh
tones--real quacks--because they open their bills too far, or in a
special way. But the nightingale has such a lovely dark tone, a 'covered
tone,' which goes to the heart. It has the most exquisite quality in the
world. I have learned much from the birds, about what not to do and what
to do.