Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-09-24
The Banjo.
A VETERAN Instructors COMMENTS on thai
INSTRUMENT.

VETERAN ISsrRUcroR's COMMENTS on THAT
INSTRUMENT.
'Banjo's are becoming all the rage.
People used to talk and think of the
banjo as an instrument appropriate only
for negroes, and the idea that this instru-
ment would become fashionable favor
lite would have been secuted. know
something of this, for ! have been in the
banjo business a good many years. When
began the banjo was like this" He
went to a case and took out an ancient
banjo, all of wood, cheap in appearance,
and which, when struck, gave forth the
hard, twanging sound that has become
the generally recognized tone of the in
strument. ''Therei is nothing particularly
pleasing about that, said he, playing a
lively air. "Now, hear this" From the
same case he took banjo that differed
much from the first. Its frame looked
like silver, and was nickel-plated. 1t
had system of screws for tightening the
sheepskin head. The whole instrument
showed careful workmanship, and was
thing of beauty.
There's the banjo of to-day" the mu-
stefan continued. cts quite an improv-
ment in appearance, isn't it, and also in
tone?" AS he spoke he played, and the
difference between the two instruments
was apparent. THE banjo of to-day is
very different instrument from the
banjo of antiquity. 1t is, as you see, ca
pable of producing different music, deli
cate effects, and very sweet tones. 1t is
only five or six years since it became a
fashionable instrument. but there are
several well-known New Workers. who
have played it for many years. Fletcher
Harper has played for twenty-five years,
and is an excellent banjoist. The boom
given to banjo playing in this city is due
to the influence of Lord Dunraven. That
young nobleman came to this country
with very slight knowledge of the in
strument and a great desire to become a
good player. He was at the Hotel
Brunswick, and sent for me to give him
lessons. He was an apt pupil, took to
the instrument kindly, and became a
very good player. He went in society a
good deal, and very soon the young
people of Murray Hill began to come to
me for lessons. sold many $50 banjos
and gave many lessons, and to-day the
demand for instruction is as great as ever.
| have almost given up teaching those
who desire to become professionals, to go
on the stage. have entirely given up
teaching song and dance. confine my
work to teaching amateurs, and now you
will find banjo in almost every parlor.
The once despised instrument has taken
the place Of the guitar, which was once
SO fashionable. 1t ought to crowd out
the guitar, for it is fit only for sentimental
lovers. The banjo has more life, can
produce better effects, and is more of an
instrument generally.
"Among my pupils are members of the
Vanderbilt family, the Livingstons, the
Havemeyers, the Jeromes and Kings
lands. have given lessons to young
Mrs. Mott, Jordan l.. Motifs daughter
in-law, and many other ladies. One of
my best pupils is a Miss Sawyer of
Twenty-sixth street, girl OF IA, who
plays wonderfully well. Wehli, the
pianist, took lessons of me, and made
good progress At one time James
Gordon Bennett thought he'd learn to
play the banjo. He spent $500 or $500
at it, but never gave the matter attention
enough to make his playing amount to
anything. One of my best pupils, and
one whom l ways shall remember with
great pleasure, was E. L. Davenport, the
actor, Why, he took lessons of me up
to the time of his death, and became a
very good performer. Here is letter
that l think good deal of"
1t was from Mr.. Davenport, dated at
the Sturtevant house, Feb. %, 1876.
The writer said II am not dead, but
sleeping. My hand became very pain
full, and could not even practice at home
for several days. This was followed by
n severe cold, and the doctor advised me
to stay in house during these very cold
days Now, the sculptor who is doing
my bust of Brutus has got hold of me,
and his time is valuable. My young
daughter has come home from Philadel-
phia, and expects some attention from
her pa" These, with other reasons, the
actor gave for not appearing to take his
regular lessons on the banjo. Had it
been known that the great Brutus cou Id
play the banjo, it might possibly have
detracted from the beauty of the famous
tent scene, and those be found who
would have suggested that rather than
Lacius play upon his lutte for Brutus,
Brutus should thumb the cheerful banjo.
! N Y. Sun.