The sound of ă will survive even if it is unused in song. It should in singing be broadened nearly to the sound of ah.
A number of simple elements are suggested which may be used in various ways in vocal drill. They are ē, ĭ, ĕ, ä, a̤, õ, o͡o. Or ē (as in be), ĭ (as in it), eh, ah, aw, ō (as in go), o͡o. The vowel-elements remaining are each so closely allied to some of those indicated that the attempt to differentiate them from the above in vowel-drill is hardly worth while. In fact, the use of ĭ—i as in it—may be omitted if pupils have learned to sing ē with fair breadth of sound, and oo may be dropped in grades above the primary. It is the final sound of ō, as before said. This leaves five vowel-elements.
E.
This vowel is often badly sung, and its form is none too favorable to good tone even when made as large as distinctness will allow. The lips must be drawn a little away from the teeth as in a smile, but don’t overdo it, and the teeth slightly parted. The lips should not be drawn back, exposing the teeth and gums, nor should they be contracted and pressed against the teeth. In e and in all vowel singing the lips should be relaxed, not contracted, and kept about as far from the teeth as they are in repose. If the opening of the mouth, that is, if the cavity back of the teeth is kept too small and narrow, the tone will be nasal and twangy. The mouth must be opened enough to permit purity of tone and free emission. The sound should verge toward i in it.
I.
This sound is ē broadened. The teeth may be a little farther apart than when ē is sung.
Ĕ or EH.
This is the sound of e in the word get. It is also the initial sound of the vowel ā or long a. It is true that this sound is not usually so given, but if ā is sung with this sound as its initial sound, and the one to be prolonged, the very best vocal results can be obtained. The vowel ă is more often poorly sung than otherwise. This is, perhaps, for the reason that comparatively few singers recognize that long a stands for two sounds, and that the first, which may be spelled eh, can be sung with large form and placed well forward in the mouth, while the second sound ē is small in form, and not adapted to the finest tone-effects. In singing this element, the jaw should drop much lower than for ĭ and nearly as low as for ah.
Ä or AH.
This is the tone universally accepted as the best for voice-development; but in school-singing it is not permissible to use the voice except in the lightest manner, therefore purity of tone must content our ambitions; power can come later in life. The mouth opens widely for this tone and the whole throat is expanded.