The voice is modulated in three different ways. First, it is varied in PITCH; that is, from high to low tones, and the reverse. Secondly, it is varied in QUANTITY, or in loudness or volume of sound. Thirdly, it is varied in QUALITY, or in the kind of sound expressed.
PITCH OF VOICE.
Pitch of voice has reference to its degree of elevation.
Every person, in reading or speaking, assumes a certain pitch, which may be either high or low, according to circumstances, and which has a governing influence on the variations of the voice, above and below it. This degree of elevation is usually called the KEY NOTE.
As an exercise in varying the voice in pitch, the practice of uttering a sentence on the several degrees of elevation, as represented in the following scale, will be found beneficial. First, utter the musical syllables, then the vowel sound, and lastly, the proposed sentence,—ascending and descending.
---------8.--do--#--e-in-me.---Virtue alone survives.----
7. si # i in die. Virtue alone survives.
-------6.--la--#--o-in-do.---Virtue alone survives.------
5. sol # o in no. Virtue alone survives.
-----4.--fa--#--a-in-at.---Virtue alone survives.--------
3. mi # a-in ate. Virtue alone survives.
---2.--re--#--a-in-far.--Virtue alone survives.----------
1. do # a in all. Virtue alone survives
Although the voice is capable of as many variations in speaking, as are marked on the musical scale, yet for all the purposes of ordinary elocution, it will be sufficiently exact if we make but three degrees of variation, viz., the Low, the Middle, and the High.
1. THE LOW PITCH is that which falls below the usual speaking key, and is employed in expressing emotions of sublimity, awe, and reverence.
EXAMPLE.
Silence, how dead! darkness, how profound!
Nor eye, nor list'ning ear, an object finds;
Creation sleeps. 'Tis as the general pulse
Of life stood still, and Nature made a pause.—
An awful pause! prophetic of her end.