“Opening the Throat”

*Blogger’s Note: Yet again, PLEASE note the publication date of the following quote:

The singing world has been bombarded with “open throat” until it has become almost race instinct. Even beginners have somehow absorbed the idea that unless they are doing something with the throat a good tone need not be expected. No greater mistake could be made than that of constantly urging the pupil to open his throat. What he needs is a free throat, and when that is realized the opening will take care of itself.

The vocal mechanism should be controlled by indirection, not by direct effort. The concept of tone quality should control the cavities of the mouth and throat in the same indirect way that the concept of pitch controls the vocal chords, and it will do it as unerringly if the throat is free.

Clippinger, David Alva. Systematic voice training. Gamble Hinged Music, 1910.