THE VOCAL INSTRUMENT Since the vocal organism first became an object of systematic study, discussion has been constant as to whether the human vocal instrument is a stringed instrument, a reed instrument, or a whistle.

Discussion of the question seems futile, for practically it is all of these and more.

The human vocal organs form an instrument, _sui generis_, which cannot be compared with any other one thing.

Not only is it far more complex than any other instrument, being capable, as it is, of imitating nearly every instrument in the catalogue and almost every sound in nature, but it is incomparably more beautiful, an instrument so universally superior to any made by man that comparisons and definitions fail.
ELEMENTS The human vocal instrument has the three elements common to all musical instruments,--a motor, a vibrator, and a resonator; to which is added--what all other instruments lack--an articulator.
1.

The respiratory muscles and lungs for a =motor=.
2.