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CHAPTER X

PITCH (REGISTERS)

THE MIDDLE REGISTER

As was stated in the discussion of inflection, the vocal scale may be divided into three registers, or ranges: middle, high, and low, each comprising three or four full tones. We have already noted that in the bulk of our speaking the middle tones dominate, with more or less frequent inflections into the high and low registers. On account of its almost constant use, it is highly desirable that every speaker make sure that his middle (or normal) register is neither too high nor too low. This normal pitch will vary considerably with different individuals, but a voice which is markedly high-pitched in ordinary speech is not pleasant to hear; moreover, it is very trying to the throat of the speaker himself. In a few cases organic construction is responsible for shrill voices, but ordinarily they are due to a habitual tension merely.

onous.

As some voices are too high in normal speech, others are too low. The latter are not so unpleasant, but they are likely to be somewhat flat, inexpressive, and monotFurthermore, they are often difficult to hear, and are therefore especially inadequate for purposes of public address. Here again the fault does not ordinarily lie in the vocal organs of the speaker; a little effort, a little more vital interest in expressing one's thoughts will usually bring up the markedly low voice. The selections for the practical application of normal quality, stress and moderate rate may be used if the voice is not already properly placed for ordinary speaking purposes.

The High Register

We shall now consider those cases in which the high register becomes the dominant one throughout a larger or smaller portion of a speech. Since the high tones have a greater carrying power, they are used in calling, or speaking at great distances. The main function of the high pitch, however, is the expression of unsuppressed excitement, whether of impatience, anger, scorn, extreme interest or enthusiasm, or merriment. When experiencing any of these states of mind or feeling, the speaker's voice is affected by the resultant tensity of the vocal organs. If he desires to convey the impression of such excitement, he can do so without fully experiencing the emotion, providing he has a sympathetic comprehension of the situation involved. Such a comprehension will tend to induce the high pitch, together with a corresponding increase in rate and force. Moreover, the speaker's emotional state is likely to respond to his manner of delivery.

In practicing for control and extension of the high pitch tones, the student should avoid shrillness by not forcing the voice toward the breaking point. Clearness, strength, and durability rather than extreme height are to be sought.

SELECTIONS FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATION NOTE: It is to be observed that in excitement or intensity the voice does not necessarily remain at all

points above the normal register; but that the prevailing range is higher than normal.

YOUNG GOBBO'S PREDICAMENT

(Launcelot Gobbo) Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master. The fiend is at mine elbow and tempts me saying to me "Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot," or "good Gobbo," or "good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away." My conscience says "No; take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, honest Gobbo," or, as aforesaid, "honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels." Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack: "Via!" says the fiend; "away!" says the fiend; "for the heavens, rouse up a brave mind," says the fiend, " and run." Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me, "My honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man's son, or rather an honest woman's son; for indeed my father did something smack, something grow to, he had a kind of taste; well, my conscience says "Launcelot, budge not." "Budge," says the fiend. "Budge not," says my conscience. "Conscience," say I, " you counsel well"; "Fiend," say I, you counsel well"; To be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew my master, who, God bless the mark, is a kind of devil; and, to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself. Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnal; and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew.

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The fiend gives the more friendly counsel: I will run, fiend; my heels are at your command; I will run.

(SHAKESPEARE: Merchant of Venice)

THE BOAT RACE

What a babel of cheers and exclamations bursts forth from the waving, transported crowd along the bank! They begin to know who is who now, and can tell beyond the shadow of a doubt that the crimson and black and the blue and white are having a noble struggle for the lead.

"Jack Hall is ahead! Hall! Hall! No, he isn't! Hit her up, Doctor! Hurrah for Hall! Hurrah for the Doctor! Tom, where are you! Bonsall! Bonsall! Hall! Hall!"

The tumult is maddening. Can it be possible that Jack Hall, who, on the whole, before the race, was rated lowest of the three, is going to break the school record and beat the invincible Doctor in one and the same breath? It looks like it if he can hold his own for two hundred yards more. It looks like it decidedly, and there is plenty of clear water still between the winning goal and the foremost shell; and see, the Doctor is spurting with a vengeance - look! - look! - and is he not gaining, too?

The Doctor has crept up, no doubt about that. The nose of his shell is now well beyond Jack's out-rigger, and he is speeding like the wind. Jack is feeling terribly tired, his throat that he thought parched at the start burns as if it were on fire, and his eyes seem ready to start out of his head. His crimson handkerchief has fallen over his eyes, but he gives himself a shake and it falls to his neck, leaving his brow refreshingly free. He has vanquished Tom anyway. So much to be thankful for. Tom is a length behind, struggling still, like the man he is, but hopelessly vanquished all the same. Jack turns his head, remembering to keep cool if he can, and sights the goal. Not more than one hundred and fifty yards left! The reverberating yells and cheers are setting his blood ablaze. He can scarcely see, but he knows he has not spurted yet. He is neck and neck with the Doctor now. There can be nothing to choose between them.

The time has come now, our hero knows, to put in any spurt that is left in him. Gripping the handles of his oars like a vise and shutting his eyes, Jack throws all his vital powers into one grand effort, which, to his supreme happiness, is answered by a great roar from the shore.

Hall! Hall! Hurrah! Nobly done, Hall! Hall wins!

(GRANT: The Boat Race)

GRATTAN'S REPLY

The right honorable gentleman has called me "an unimpeached traitor." I ask, why not "traitor " unqualified by any epithet? I will tell him; it was because he dare not! It was the act of a coward, who raises his arm to strike, but has not the courage to give the blow! I will not call him villain, because it would be unparliamentary, and he is a Privy Councilor. I will not call him fool, because he happens to be Chancellor of the Exchequer. But I say he is one who has abused the privilege of Parliament and freedom of debate, in uttering language, which, if spoken out of the House, I

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