The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1886-04-17
ABOUT BRASS BANDS.
A VETERAN BAkDMASTER TALKS OF
THEM AND THEIR MAKEUP.

inquiries as to Combinations and POSI-
tions-which Metal Gives the Best
Tonee-Over the Shoulder instrumental
-second-Hand Horns for Beginners.
In response to the inquiry whether brass
bands were not getting out Of fashion in
smaller cities and villages, where few years
ago they were all the rage, Mr. John F.
Stratton, the ex-bandmaster, said to a re-
porter:
sYou wouldn't think SO If you saw the let-
ters that come here every day asking about
instruments and prices, and the inquiries
from members Of newly-organized bands as
to combinations and positions Ill tell you
of some of the questions We have asked US
and what we reply to them. For instance,
one writes that the instruments Of the band
that he belongs to ore oyer-the- he-Shoulder, and
their cor,lets are 'bell-fronts., What he
wants to know is whether the cornetplayers
shall march in the first or rear ranks when
the bend is on parade. What do you suppose
tell such a man? It is this: Put the cornet-
PLAYERS in the front rank and make them
march backward, so that the sound Of all the
instruments will go the same way. It may
be little inconvenient for them, but they
richly deserve it for being so stupid as to get
front cornets to use with over-the- shoulder
instruments.
"Another wants to know which metal giYes
the best tone-brass, German silver, or COP
per. To this, we say that the old-fashioned
idea is that brass is the best, but some think
that copper is, because it is soft and gives
soft tone, while others claim that German
silver is, because it is hard and gives hard
tone. But these ideas are all notional. It
depends entirely upon the maker; there is no
difference whatever if the instruments are
properly made. Another thing that troubles
people who want to get up band is whether
'bell-front' and upright instruments are bet
ter adapted for general use than the over
the-shoulder description. This depends upon
what the general business Of a band is. A
brass band is supposed to be military band,
to play for military and other paradea Ger
tainly, for parades, over-theshoulder instru-
ments are the best, and for this reason: A
band is engaged by company-military,
firemen, or civic; when marching the sound
goes directly toward those for whom the
band is playing, and consequently they have
it much better than they would if the .istru.
ments were front or upright Then, again,
suppose your instruments are front and up
same, by which would your company keep
steps For all other outdoor business over.
the-shoulder instruments are equally as good
as upright But for reed bands, or for indoor
concerts, the front and upright instruments
are preferable"
CHEAP, SECONDHAND INSTRUMENTS.
aDont you have calls for second hand IN
strulnentsa' was asked.
aMany OF them The inquiries come for
cheap, second-han >instruments which would
do for us to learn on. The writer5young
lsicfs.Ess-TIsually ssd;G:: We are going to get
cheap set to learn on, and il We
make success CT it we shall raise
money and buy a set Of your instru-
nlcnts' Nothing could De a greater mistake
than such piaI. II there is any one class CT
human beings III the world who should have
good, easy-Biowing, true-toned instruments il
is a class Of beginners, and ii they do not
have them to learn On the chances are in
nine cases out Of ten they never will learn. ]
simply tell such people: If you doubt your
own ability and pluck, don't get up a ba,i.i:
but if you do get up one, buy instruments
that will be a credit to you-iastruments tlct
you can blow, not such as are merely made
to SELL But, u.inng about second
hand instruments, why does ulan
or a band wish to trade off old
Instruments Always, l ssy, because
they don't want to play on them any more.
They are either played out or they were poor
ones in the first place. Suppose take these
Ia exchange-can I sell them without lying
and deceiving?
u used to get my living once as leader
and teacher of bands. did that for years.
and it seems to ME that il there ever was q
lame duck in the band it was always that
fellow with the secondhand instrument. Flow
many times have grabbed the instrument
out of his hands to show him how to play lis
part, and / found / couldn't play it myself
decently-not on that instrument; and am
ready to bet every teacher who hears about
this has had the same experience. A nan
may be pretty 'thic!k-headed, but if he has
got good insurunent-one that blows easy
and is in good tu,e-le can toot away, ane; at
least not do much harm, that Is If he don't
play too loud. But if he has got an Old,
worn-out, wheezy instrument, all out of tune,
and you wish to play good, nice, slow move
ment OF q song with long holding notes, you
are in for it, that's all"
"What are the drums made ofSn
"The shell is usually Of either bird's-eye
maple, mahogany, rosewood white holly,
brass, nickel plate or German silver The
heads are Of cal-skin, and the sticks rose
wood. A regulation-sized snare drun, is a
sixteen inch head and twelve inches high A
drum majors baton is usually made Of ma
lacca mounted with brass, nickel-plate or
gilt, and with worsted or silk cords and tas.
sels-New York Mail and Express.