The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1891-08-28
CHINESE ~ORCHESTRAS.
REMARKABLE INSTRUMENTS OF EAR
SPLITTING BANDS.

ing Inventions from Which Chinese
Musicians Extract Detachable Melody.
Prices of the Musical Devices.
The ordinary Monaghan orchestra,
such as is to be found usually dis
pensing tunes for the delectation Of the
Celestial ears at the Chinese theaters in
this city, is composed Of ten pieces, and
each player has his peculiar instrument,
on which he is an adept. He also per-
forms upon it with an apparent stoical
Indifference as to the scores Of his fellow
musicians
Thoroughly to equip an orchestra
with proper instruments entails a cost
Of 5000, which amount any nervous
householder who has ever had the mis-
fortune to reside within earshOt of II
at practice would be willing to advance
twice over in order to have it moved on.
After purchasing the instruments play
ers are needed, and their services vary
in price, according to ability, experiences
and reputation. The Monaghan musi-
clan values his ability at from 81 to 81
per night, but if he has climbed the lad
der Of fame he will demand from S. to
500 per night.
The drum, III the estimation Of the
Chinese musician, is the most important
instrument, which opinion IS shared like
wise by the juvenile American. A
Chinese drum costs twelve dollars, and
has much the same appearance as a keg
constructed Of light wood, covered with
cowhide. This instrument is beaten
with a pair Of heavy wooden sticks, and
produces a booming sound, which grows
extremely monotOnous when it is con-
tinued for several hours.
THE CHINESE GONG.
The alarm, or taps, is a Chinese must
cal device of peculiar construction. 1t
consists of a framework of wood, upon
which is set a conical top Of hard wood
covered with calfskin. Projecting from
the top Of the frame is a hollow square
the size of a cigar box, covered with
rawhide. Sounds are produced by strik-
ing the top, which emits bass notes, and
the projecting hide covered square with
drumsticks. This tuneful instrument
costs $3.50.
The cymbalS Of the Chinese are of
hammered brass, similar i'll design to
CIlODC CCA ~ bGtlLNACJ CAILIA
eighteen dollars.
Brass gongs shaped much like a tam
BORNE are used by Monaghan musicians
in the makeup of their orchestra. A
first class gong can be bought for fifteen
dollars.
A gOng of COnCave form and of very |
light weight, that gives forth a tingling
sound, is another orchestral instrument.
1t costs 50. 80. Monaghan tddles are of
peculiar construction and emit sounds
which, from a musical point Of view, are
as inharmOniOus as the instrument is I'M
couth in appearance. Divested Of its
strings a Chinese fiddle has the same ap-
pearance as q mallet, with the handle
long and fattened to about an inch in
width and an eighth of an inch in thick
ness.
In the lower part Of the handle are i'll
serted two keys, me above the other.
To each of the keys are attached two
strings Of hOrsehair or catgut; the other
md are firmly wound about the mallet
head. What varied and discordant
sounds are produced when the Chinese
fiddler Uns his bow across the strings!
And besides the Chinese have the toner
ity to ask $3.50 for such Il device.
TIE BANJO, FLUTE, ETC.
The banjo of the heather may be very
appropriately likened to Il small sized
frying pan with a very long handle. The
drum is covered with snakeskin drawn
tight. Three keys and four strings COM
plete the instrument, which is sold for
five dollars.
The bass banjo is the size Of a large
sized snare drum and about half the
depth. Four keys and the same number
Of strings are used. The sum Of 50. 80
will buy one for ordinary use.
A Chinese flute is purchaseable at
seventy. five cents, if Of ordinary make
and without ornamentation. 1t has ten
finger holes and gives vent to shrill and
d%iscordant notes, which delight Chinese
ears but CRATE upon those of the eau
casian.
In some cases Chinese orchestras con-
tain several f~1utists, who, when together,
appear to vie with each other in the
emitting of the most dismal and shrill
tunes that ever laCerated human nerves.
The clarinet is to the Mongolian what
the cOrnet is to lis. Its evident use is to
add variety to the clamors of the drums
and cymbals and the discOrdant sounds !
of flute and fiddle. 1t is a sort of medi-
ator between all those revolutionary in
struments, and has a tendency to veneer
the discord, which apparently is the ba-
sis of all Chinese music.
The Mongolian ear has become Injured
to such strains, and to the child of the
Flowery Kingdom it speaks of home,
tragedy, love and revenge. So long as
he does not take summary vengeance
upon his unsteady inclined fellow coun-
tryHen let him enjoy to the full the ag-
onies of sound which Mongolian orches-
tras produce.-San Francisco Chronicle. |
Red Hair the Fashion.