"This is my own idea, of combining the teacher, artist and accompanist
in one trinity," he began. "And, by the way, my idea is now patented in
Washington. It is the result of nine years' thought and labor, before
the idea could be brought out in its finished form. The design has been
to make the method and its elucidation so simple that the girl from a
small town can understand it.
"The method consists of twenty lessons for each of the five kinds of
voices: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone and Bass. Each portfolio
holds twenty records, together with a book containing minute directions
for studying and using the records. I believe that any one, with good
intelligence, who wishes to learn to sing, can take the book and records
and begin his studies, even though he has never sung before. He can thus
prepare himself for future lessons. For you must understand this method
is not meant to replace the teacher, but to aid the teacher. I can
assure you it aids him in ways without number. It gives him a perfect
exemplar to illustrate his principles. If he be fatigued, or unable to
sing the passage in question, here is an artist who is never wearied,
who is always ready to do it for him. I myself constantly use the
records in my lessons. If I have taught a number of consecutive hours,
it is a relief to turn to the artist's record and save my own voice.