VI.  MODULATION.

Modulation includes the variations of the voice.  These may be classed under the heads of Pitch, Compass, Quantity, and Quality.

Pitch and compass.

If anyone will notice closely a sentence as uttered in private conversation, he will observe that very few successive words are pronounced in exactly the same key or with the same force.  At the same time, however, there is a certain pitch or key, which seems, on the whole, to prevail.

This keynote, or governing note, as it may be called, is that upon which the voice most frequently dwells, to which it usually returns when wearied, and upon which a sentence generally commences, and very frequently ends, while, at the same time, there is a considerable play of the voice above and below it.

This key may be high or low.  It varies in different individuals, and at different times in the same individual, being governed by the nature of the subject and the emotions of the speaker.  It is worthy of notice, however, that most speakers pitch their voices on a key too high.

The range of the voice above and below this note is called its compass.  When the speaker is animated, this range is great; but upon abstract subjects, or with a dull speaker, it is small.  If, in reading or speaking, too high a note be chosen, the lungs will soon become wearied; if too low a pitch be selected, there is danger of indistinctness of utterance; and in either case there is less room for compass or variety of tone than if one be taken between the two extremes.

To secure the proper pitch and the greatest compass observe the following rule: 

Rule XII.—­The reader or speaker should choose that pitch in which he can feel himself most at ease, and above and below which he may have most room for variation.

Remark 1.—­Having chosen the proper keynote, he should beware of confining himself to it.  This constitutes monotony, one of the greatest faults in elocution.  One very important instrument for giving expression and life to thought is thus lost, and the hearer soon becomes wearied and disgusted.

Remark 2.—­There is another fault of nearly equal magnitude, and of very frequent occurrence.  This consists in varying the pitch and force without reference to the sense.  A sentence is commenced with vehemence and in a high key, and the voice gradually sinks until, the breath being spent, it dies away in a whisper.

Note—­The power of changing the key at will is difficult to acquire, but of great importance.

Remark 3.—­The habit of singsong, so common in reading poetry, as it is a variation of pitch without reference to the sense, is a species of the fault above mentioned.

Remark 4.—­If the reader or speaker is guided by the sense, and if he gives that emphasis, inflection, and expression required by the meaning, these faults speedily disappear.