Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-08-20
CHINESE ORCHESTRAS.
REMARKABLE INSTRUMENTS OF EAR
SPLITTING BANDS.

~ SAN ihNN SFNNSOs
Descriptions of Some of the Queer Look
ing Inventions from Which Chinese
Musicians Extract DeIectabIe Melody.
Prices of the Musical Devices.
The ordinary Mongolian 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 cost
of $69.50, which amount any nervous
householder who has ever had the mis-
fortune to reside within earshot of one
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, expertness
and reputation. The Mongolian musi-
clan values his ability at from 81 to Sc
per night, but if he has climbed the lad
der of fame he will demand from S. to
$50 per night.
! The drum, in 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 pair of heavy wooden sticks, and
produces booming sound, which grows
extremely monotonous when it is con-
tinued for several hours.
THE CHINESE GONG.
The alarm, or taps, is Chinese musi-
cal device of peculiar construction. 1t
consists of framework of wood, upon
which is set conical top of hard wood
covered with calfskin. Projecting from
the top of the frame is a hollow square
the size of cigar box, covered with
rawhide. Sounds are produced by stril-
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 in design tC
those used by American bands, and costs
eighteen dollars.
Brass gongs shaped much like tam.
BORNE are used by Mongolian musicians
in the makeup of their orchestra. A
first class gong can be bought for ifteer
dollars.
A gong of concave form and of very
light weight, that gives forth tingling
sound, is another orchestral instrument
1t costs $3.50 Mongolian fiddles are Of
peculiar construction and emit sounds
which, from musical point of view, are
as inharmonious as the instrument is un.
couth in appearance. Divested of its
strings Chinese fiddle has the same ap'
pearance as 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 in
serted two keys, one above the other
To each of the keys are attached two
strings of horsehair or catgut; the other
ends are firmly wound about the mallet
head. What varied and discordant
sounds are produced when the Chinese
fiddler runs his bow across the strings
And besides the Chinese have the temer
ity to ask $3.50 for such device.
THE BANJO, FLUTE, ETC.
The banjo of the heathen may be very
appropriately ikened to small sizei
frying pan with very long handle. The
drum is covered with snaleskin drawn
tight. Three keys and four strings com
plete the instrument, which is sold fol
five dollars.
The bass banjo is the size of a large
sized snare drum and about half thu
depth. Four keys and the same numbel
of strings are used. The sum of $2.5t
will buy one for ordinary use.
A Chinese flute is purchaseable q
seventy five cents, if of ordinary maxi
and without ornamentation. 1t has tel
finger holes and gives vent to shrill anC
discordant notes, which delight Chimes,
ears but CRATE upon those of the eau
casian.
In some cases Chinese orchestras con
tain several iutists, who, when together
appear to vie with each other in tn,
emitting of the most dismal and shril
tunes that ever laceratsd human nerves
The clarinet is to the Mongolian wha
the cornet is to us. Its evident use is t,
add variety to the clamors of the drum
and cymbals and the discordant sound
of flute and fiddle. 1t is u sort Of medi
ator between all those revolutionary in
struments, and has tendency to venee
the discord, which apparently is the ba
sis of all Chinese music.
The Mongolian ear has become inure,
to such strains, and to the child Of tn
Flowery Kingdom it speaks of home
tragedy, love and revenge. So long a
he does not take summary vengeanc
upon his musically inclined fellow coun
trymen let him enjoy to the full the az
onies of sound which Mongolian orches
: tras produce. Francisco Chronicle