AUXILIARY VOWELS
Like the auxiliary verbs "will" and "have," _[=a]_, _[=e]_, and _oo_
are auxiliary vowels, of whose aid we are constantly compelled to
avail ourselves. It will perhaps sound exaggerated when I present an
example of this, but as a matter of fact pronunciation is consummated
in this way; only, it must not become noticeable. The method seems
singular, but its object is to prevent the leaving of any empty
resonance space, and to obviate any interruptions that could affect
the perfection of the tone.
For example, when I wish to sing the word "Fräulein," I must first,
and before all else, think of the pitch of the tone, before I attack
the _f_. With the _f_, the tone must be there already, _before_ I have
pronounced it; to pass from the _f_ to the _r_ I must summon to my
aid the auxiliary vowel _oo_, in order to prevent the formation of any
unvocalized interstices in the sound. The _r_ must not now drop off,
but must in turn be joined to the _oo_, while the tongue should not
drop down behind, [Illustration] but should complete the vibrations
thus, [Illustration] in a straight line. (See plate.)
[Illustration]
It is very interesting to note how much a word can gain or lose in
fulness and beauty of tone. Without the use of auxiliary vowels no
connection of the resonance in words can be effected; there is then no
beautiful tone in singing, only a kind of hacking. Since it must be
quite imperceptible, the use of auxiliary vowels must be very
artistically managed, and is best practised in the beginning very
slowly on single tones and words, then proceeding with great care to
two tones, two syllables, and so on. In this way the pupil learns to
_hear_. But he must learn to hear very slowly and for a long time,
until there is no failure of vibration in the tone and word, and it is
all so impressed upon his memory that it can never be lost. The
auxiliary vowels must always be present, but the listener should be
able to hear, from the assistance of the _oo_, only the warmth and
nobility of the tone, from the _a_ and _e_ only the carrying power and
brilliancy of it.