Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-06-22
9}1istellaneuns &eadiug.
THE BANJO,

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THE BANJO.
s'The Banjo" remarked prominent young
Professor of this instrument, cor, properl.
speaking, the word banjo, is a corruption O.
the Latin word bandore, which may be briefly
though not definitely, stated in English al
banjo, a stringed musical instrument"
Scientific research has proven the origin o.
the banjo of very recent date: An lnstru
ment, bearing striking similarity to the mod
ern banjo was found in Egypt, and subse
quently, it is stated, another was discovered
in the Pyramids The instrument in use to-
day, however, is so great an improvement ovel
that of the ancient date, that only close com
parison would succeed in establishing theil
similitude 1t is, however, to the credit OF
the minstrelsy that the banjo became a popu
lar musical instrument, and it's almost eXclu
sive use from the period of it's early advent
was confined to this new feature in the way Of
musical entertainments.
GLOW came the banjo to be so closely allied
with the colored people ?" was pr0pounded.
''Regardng that point" replied the Profes
sor, cit is to be said that the banjo is an in
strument of varied prices-the cheapness OF
some grades making them attainable by the
poor classes-and the wonderful adaptability
of it's music to the plantation melodies of the
southern slaves is further reason. The ban.
JOS used at that time, however, were much in
ferior to the fine instruments of the present. y
It was not until during the war and later
that the banjo excited the music-loving world
The crude and inferior instrument soon gave
place to a better one, and in the hands Of an
accomplished player at that time, notably 10.
seph Sweeney, familiarly known as ''Old Joe, D
the banjo made rapid progression in the musi-
cal world.
ITO what would you ascribe the banjo's
present popularity ?"
"Listen to this,'' and without further re-
plying, the Professor dashed off few rhapso-
dies of low sweet strains, alternated with bril-
liant staccato effects. ''That," remarked the
Professor, ''s the secret of the banjo success.
When it is thoroughly understood and we'll
played it is one of the most charming of instru:
ments. As already said, it has been only OF
late years that it has received its merited re.
cogntion in the musical world. In the first
place the minstrelsy appropriated it in their
negro impersonations, and adapted it to all
their songs and dances, principally in their clog
dancing. From this latter source the fash
ionable outside world, thoroughly appreciative
of it's varied musical properties, adopted it as
a pet instrument"
This appears to be fine Instrument" re-
marked the reporter, holding it with as much
scientific knowledge as a raw recruit would a
musket at his first drill. ''How do they value
in price,"
''Yes that is a good instrument, but there
are great many finer ones manufactured.
They can be purchased at all prices-frOm a
drumhead at $1.50 to the extra superior ar
ticle, S75 and 500.
s'What are the valuable qualities p
"There are two grades of banjos, valulng
from S. to $50. The banjos that sell under So,
it NAV be said. are made for sale only. The
grades or qualities have been designated by
the manufacturers respectively, "cloudy" and
"transparent heads" Professional banjo play
ers generally perfer the ''cloudy' or ''milky'
heads, which choice can hardly be accorded as
anything significant of superiority over the
transparent heads; for, on the other hand,
many persons show decided preference for the
latter grade of manufacture. There is, how
ever, one slight advantage of the 'cloudy''
head over the transparent" drum, and that
is the formers durability, which fact is suf-
ficient to strongly recommend it's use III the
fraternity.
'sIs the valuation of a banjo adjudged by the
quality of it's head"
"Oh, no it is the finish of the instrument
and it's style of superior workmanship that
fixes it's value"
In the society world one will be astOnished
to find such beautifully made banjos. Some
persons have them executed in style and
finish regardless of cost The nickel-plated or
silver rim that securely holds by the aid OF
brackets of either of the same material is ar
tstically replaced by IA gold rim, with silver
or gold brackets. Again, the higly polished
and generally decorated frame, which serves
for the drum, is handsomely carved or lnlald
with precious stones-diamonds, pearls, rubles
and emeralds-while the neck is also con-
veniently used for expensive and artistic
adornment. These instruments, of course,
are made to order, and command high prices,
according to the amount of labor required in
and the quantity and quality OF
the precious stones used. These Instruments
are mostly, if not entirely, found in the fash
ionable world, and are used by ladies. SO
much care is required in their manufacture
that dealers hold this extra line of goods ut
not less than SIS, and no instrument is made
to order under that amount.
Observing the awkward manner III which
the reporter held his instrument, the Profes-
sor languidly remarked ut is plain you know
nothing of the banjo. Do not catch hold 0t
it like you were holding a crab by the claws
Here let me show YOU"
The right foot was thrown over the LETT
and the instrument was scientifically held at
almost arms length. The musical scale was
quickly run, and in a few minutes the lively
music of tile 'Duquense Greys' made the
reporter imagine brass band had suddenly
burst in the room, when in an instant the
loud notes died away in the distance and the
low numbers of tinklng music forcibly re-
minded him of moonlit-lake and two in a
boat.
Isn't that varied music ?" qneried the mu-
scan, stopping moment to "tune-up."
1t appears that the banjo has, superseded
the guitar to great extent as an etfectual
Effective music is produced sew
eral ways. The tremolo effect, which gives
such a sweet blended tone, is produced by the
forefinger Of the right hand. The heavy play
ing, or ''stroke" is produced by the quick
of the foretinger, protected by d
''thimble," made of silver, which gives the
spirit and musical finish to the marches;
This method of ''stroke" playing is confined
to the professional players, and
the effective march music by the minstrelsy,
is produced by this means, notably may he
the "German Fifth, ''Duquense
Greys,' the ':Twenty-second Regiment" aud
many others
PROGRESS OF THE WORLD.-The whole sur
face of our planet has only been known about
a hundred years, and till our own day to get
news from all parts of it to one given spot
would certainly have required a year. The
President of the United States delivers his
message and within three hours newspapers
in I'LL parts of the world have printed it word
for word. For 1000 years every fabric in use
has been twisted into thread by human fingers,
and woven into stuff by the human hand.
600 shirts in the time formerly occupied hy
making one. For two thousand years man
has got 10 better light than what WAS given