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PITCH OF VOICE.

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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.

YOUNG.

2. THE MIDDLE PITCH is that usually employed in common conversation, and in expressing unimpassioned thought and moderate emotion.

EXAMPLES.

1. It was early in a summer morning, when the air was cool, the earth moist, the whole face of the creation fresh and gay, that I lately walked in a beautiful flower garden, and, at once, regaled the senses and indulged the fancy.

HERVEY.

2.

"I love to live," said a prattling boy, As he gayly played with his new-bought toy, And a merry laugh went echoing forth, From a bosom filled with joyous mirth.


3. THE HIGH PITCH is that which rises above the usual speaking key, and is used in expressing joyous and elevated feelings.

EXAMPLE.

Higher, higher, EVER HIGHER,— Let the watchword be "ASPIRE!" Noble Christian youth; Whatsoe'er be God's behest, Try to do that duty best, In the strength of Truth.

M.F. TUPPER.

Sanders' Union Fourth Reader

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