REGISTERS The subject of registers has always been the _bete noire_ of vocalists, a source of controversy and confusion.

The term "register," as commonly used, means a series of tones of a characteristic clang or quality, produced by the same mechanism.

The term "break" is generally used to indicate the point at which a new register with sudden change appears.
The advocates of registers lay stress either on the changes in laryngeal action, or the changes in tone quality.

Before the days of the laryngoscope, registers were treated simply as different qualities of tone, characterizing a certain portion of the voice's compass.
Those who encourage the cultivation of register consciousness claim to do so for the sake of the differences in tone-color which they associate with the different "registers." The purpose of the following chapters is to show that the quality or color of a tone is altogether a matter of resonance, and _not_ a question of laryngeal action.
Moreover, the mechanism of the larynx is not voluntary in its action, but automatic, and even if a singer knew how the vocal cords should act it would not help him in the least to govern their action.

The fact is that the results of laryngoscopic study of the vocal cords have been disappointing and contradictory and investigators have failed to define what correct laryngeal action is.