Practical Learning Activity
Apply and refine your skills in précising with these excerpts.*
Author: Dame Nellie Melba – Learn more about Dame Nellie Melba
Précis Exercise 1 – see Précis Example
1) Read the excerpt. 2) Create a précis of up to four sentences long to summarise the following text.
“In every country with which I am familiar—and they are many—I have been struck by the voices maimed or entirely ruined by ignorant tuition. Of course it is not possible for me to hear more than a few of the students who seek my opinion on their voices, for I frequently have thirty or forty such applications in a single day; but almost without exception I find those I can hear following methods which are causing positive injury to the delicate vocal chords.
In all learned and mechanical professions certain technical tests are insisted on before a person is accepted as an authority; but in music it is not so. Any charlatan, whose only qualifications may be confidence and casual observation, may set up as a teacher and persistently trick the public, which is only too easily deceived. I speak strongly on this subject, having in mind the cruel vocal havoc to which I have just referred. Just as the engineer must know the structure and parts of his engine, or the architect the nature and relative values of material as well as the principles of design, so must the would-be singer understand the easily injured structure and delicate functions of voice mechanism.”
Précis Exercise 2
1) Read the excerpt. 2) Create a précis of up to six sentences long to summarise the following text.
“A knowledge of the structure of the larynx, and the general muscular mechanism of voice-production, unequalled in delicacy anywhere in the human body save perhaps in eye and ear, will be a revelation, a very helpful revelation, to the student. And unless the structure of the larynx be understood, the “attack,” or application of the air blast to the vocal strands, cannot be perfect.
If the student seeks the best, she must get a complete understanding of the methods of the old Italian masters, as sculptors turn to the Greek for what is soundest and noblest in the plastic art. Together with this recommendation, I join my condemnation of the tremolo and “white” voice so dear to many Italian singers.
I cannot too forcibly insist that the mere possession of a lovely voice is only the basis of vocal art. Nature occasionally startles one by the prodigality of her gifts, but no student has any right to expect to sing by inspiration, any more than an athlete may expect to win a race because he is naturally fleet of foot.
Methods of breathing, “attack,” and the use of the registers must all be perfectly understood by the successful singer, who should likewise be complete master of all details relating to the structure and use of those parts above the voice box, and be convinced of the necessity of a perfectly controlled chest expansion in the production of tone.
For perfect singing, correct breathing, strange as it may sound, is even more essential than a beautiful voice. No matter how exquisite the vocal organ may be, its beauty cannot be adequately demonstrated without proper breath control. Here is one of the old Italian secrets which many singers of to-day wholly lack, because they are unwilling to give the necessary time for the full development of breathing power and control. Phrasing, tone, resonance, expression, all depend upon respiration; and in my opinion musical students, even when too young to be allowed the free use of the voice, should be thoroughly taught the principles of breathing.”
Précis Exercise 3
1) Read the excerpt. 2) Create a précis of up to three sentences long to summarise the following text.
“Indeed, the science of taking breath is a study peculiarly suited to the years of childhood and adolescence; for apart from other considerations, there are few things so conducive to good health as good breathing. And, owing to the greater elasticity of the human frame in the time of youth, the chest is then more easily developed and expanded.
Any exercises that give strength to the diaphragm are of special value, since this is the principal muscle of inspiration. Expiration, however, is not so easily controlled as inspiration, and on that score calls for the most careful practice. Faulty or hurried breathing always interferes with the true vibration of the vocal strands, and all circumstances that tend toward either should be scrupulously avoided; more especially at the time of a singer’s first entrance on the stage or concert platform, which is always a moment of nervousness and doubt.
It is an excellent practice for a nervous singer to take a few deep breaths on entering, and the inexperienced should avoid numbers with exacting opening bars.”
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Précis Example
A précis is a concise summary of an excerpt of text done to capture the very essence of what the author is trying to say. Sometimes, just taking a few moments to think after you have read the passage can help you compose the précis well. This summary will inevitably have to leave out some minor details that are not essential, in order to only present what is necessary and central to the author’s message. Read the following example of a précis and then try it yourself.
The following excerpt is from: p209, Boutell, C.,The Handbook to English Heraldry, London, REEVES & TURNER, 1914
“The idea of a Crest, of some accessory specially designed to form its crowning adornment, appears inseparable from the existence and use of a Helm. The Warriors and Warrior Divinities of classic antiquity are represented to us, wearing head-pieces richly crested: and, in the Middle Ages, had no other Heraldry ever been devised, assuredly ornaments of some kind would have been placed on helms and basinets, and these insignia would have been held in high esteem and honour. Accordingly, about the time that Coat-Armour became hereditary, having been reduced to a system and accepted as an independent science, heraldic Crests began to be worn as honourable distinctions of the most exalted dignity by the medaeval chivalry.”
Suggested Précis of the Above Excerpt:
The idea of a Crest, which has a long history of being the crowning adornment of the helm, became a highly valued heraldic form which signified honour in medieval times.
*p7-9, Madame Clara Butt, Madame Melba, Signor Caruso, Mr. Ben Davies, How to Become a Successful Singer, LONDON: GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED, SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C., Early 20th century
(*All Public Domain Excerpts.)