Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-06-24
ODD SOUNDS.
Description ofTrick Instruments Commos'
ly Used In First-Ciass Orchestral.
IBrookiyn Union.l

tBrookiyn Union.l
Ono Of tho instruments which Davis
plays Is commonly called tho bells, or
orchestra bells; In Germany called the
"glockenspiel." II consists OF number of
short bars Of steel resting on straw ropes.
The bars are played upon by short ham-
mers, tho metals Of which are connected
with the wood handles by whalebone.
The full chromatic scale, two and q half
oetaves, are represented by tho bars,
which are toned by size. The instrument
most like the bells Is the xylcphone, which
consists CT a number OF pieces Of wood
strung together by two cords and restin z
on ropes Of straw. The method OF tuning
the xylophone Is curious. II a note be fiat
II Is corrected In tone by having section
sawed or; IL sharp, IL is notched ON tho
under side by n saw.cut.
The anvils i'm an orchestra are far from
being such as smiths play upon by the side
Of a forge, though their tones are remark
ably like those OF the real article. Tho
anvil. which Mr.. Davis has arc two pieces
Of hem!-octagonal brass, hollow and about
sight inches long. lIemi. octagonal may
aot be the scientific term fCC describing q
tube which would be octagonal il alike on
both sides, but which looks rs IL Ii had
been octaGonal aud sliced down its length
and the first side covered over. That Is
what they are. Thoy are contained in
little plush-lirad case, and might DO car.
ricd In an overcoat pocket, but when
struck With little hammer give out
sound like an anvil. IL tells story OF the
times that there has boon 80 much music
written of late relating TO champagne
thinking that instruments have boon do
vised and patented to initiate tho "pop"
Of champagne cork. Mr.. Davis has two
such instruments. One Is a simple wooden
cylinder, n piston working in one end and
4 captire corl; in the other. IL il as sam.
pie as . boys pop-gun, hut the sound has
a lvs.dollars a-bottl, bang that 10
most captivating. The second pop
mitanpr, recently invented, can
% worked moro rapidly and
nads to initiate the sound around a
ace. sourse bar just after the field has won
icah.st long odds. This is long brass
Win Ter, the piston running through the
'Ork and having bolt cn that end 10 pre-
cent the cork from flying Off and hitting
ne ringer in the eye. Tho piston, pushed
II rapidly, causes n deceptive pop" and
elm. as rapidly pushed back, plugs the
'ork tight in again, ready for another bat.
,e, which action can DO kept up faster
hap the thirS,iest crowd could cut tho
yire.
Th> crack OF whip Is a noise that Is
rearll under very different circumstances
N ire stage. 1t may DO a chorus describe
NJ s rollicking sleigh.ride, n Lady Gay
pankcr, who emphasizes n story with
'ourish OF whip, or tho overseer in
Uncle Toms Cabin" Whatever the oc-
aston, the man sitting at the end of the
rchestra supplies the "crack." Mr. Davis
ocs this with little instrument that
loks like big razor sirop split down 10
he hadIJp and there hinged. Ii is worked
18th one hand, for very frequently, at the
'me time, sleigh-bells must be heard, and
10 other hand Is employed in shakinsa
1t OF silver bells right merrily.