Drawing upon the sciences of acoustics, linguistics, and physiology, D. Ralph Appelman advances a system of teaching voice based on the International Phonetic Alphabet. His premises are that vocal pedagogy requires an understanding of physiological and physical processes; that the singer and the voice teacher need pedagogical tools to link this scientific knowledge with the art of vocalization; that the word in the art song provides such a tool, for it conveys the primary meaning of the utterance; that the art song, therefore, demands intelligibility as well as beauty; and that if the art song is to attain the aesthetic level demanded by the music and the text, the singer must master a refined and orderly vocal system. Liberally illustrated with photographs, x-rays, spectrograms, palatograms, charts, drill materials, and drawings, this text develops the total process of disciplined vocal utterance, progressing from the physiological aspects of phonation to the elements of aesthetic
