The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-03-12
ABOUT BRASS BANDS.
A VETERAN BANDMASTER TALKS or
THEM AND THEIR MAKEUP.

tions-which Metal Gives the Hest
Tone over the shoulder Instruments
--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 a few years
ago they were all the rage, Mr.. John f.
Stratton, the ex-bandmaster, said to a re-
porter:
"You 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. I'll 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 are 'over-the-shoulder, and
their cornets are 'bell-fronts.' What he
wants to know is whether the cornet-players
shall march in the first or rear ranks when
the band is on parade. What do you suppose
tell such man. 1t 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. II may
be a little inconvenient for them, but they
richly deserve it for being stupid as to get
front comets TO use with observation-disclosures
instruments
"Another wants to know which metal gives
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 thlnk
that copper is, because it is soft and gives a
soft tone, while others claim that German
silver is, because it is hard and gives hard
tone. But these ideas are all notional 1t
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 band is.
brass band is supposed to he a military band,
to play for military and other parades. Ger
tainly, for parades, over-the shoulder instru-
ments are the best, and for this reason: A
band is engaged by company-military,
fremen, 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 instru.
ments were front or upright. Then, again,
suppose your instruments are front and up.
right, and the band in the rear have the
same, by which would your company keep
stepl For all other outdoor business over
the-shouder 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.
Don't you have calls for secondhand In
struments" was asked.
"Many of them The inquiries come for
cheap, secondhand instruments which would
do for us to learn on. The writers-young
musicans-usually add: we are going to get
Cheap set to learn on, and if We
make success Of it we shall raise
money and buy a set of your instru
ments.' Nothing could be a greater mistake
than such plan. IT there is any one class OF
human beings in the world who should have
good, easy y-blowing, true-toned instruments II
is class of beginners, and if they do moi
have them to learn on the chances are il
nine cases out of ten they never will learn
simply tell such people: If you doubt youy
own ability and pluck, don't get up a band
but if you do get up one, buy instrument.
that will be credit to you-instruments thai
you can blow, not such as are merely mads
to SELL But, talking about second
hand instruments, why does mar
or band wish to trade off ole
Instruments Always, say, because
they don't want to play OH them any more
They are either played out or they were pool
ones in the first place. Suppose take thes'
in exchange-can l sell them without lyin(
and dsceivingl
II used to get my living once as leadel
and teacher of bands. l did that for years
and it seems to ME that If there ever was
lame duck in the band it was always tina
| fellow with the secondhand instrument. How
many times have l grabbed the instrumen
out of his hands to show him how to play hi
part, and found couldn't play it mysel
decently-not on that Instrument and l an
| ready to bet every teacher who hears abou
this has had the same experience. A maj
may be pretty ick-headed,' but if he ha
| got good instlument-one that blows eas,
| and is in good tune-he can toot away, and u
least not do much harm, that is if he don
play too loud. But il he has got an old
worn-out, wheezy instrument, all out of tune
and you wish to play good, nice, slow move
ment or a song with long holding notes, yol
| are in for it, that's all"
| "What are the drums made OFF,
| "The shell Is usually of either bird's-ey
| maple, mahogany, rosewood, white holly
brass, nickel-plate or German silver. TIL
heads are of calf-skin, and the sticks rose
wood. A regulation-sized snare drum is
sixteen-inch head and twelve inches high. /
drum majors baton is usually made of ma
lacca, mounted with brass, nickel plate o
gilt, and with worsted or silk cords and tas
| sels.-New York Mail and Express