Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-14

What is true of size of vibratory surface in
glasses or metal as affecting the high or low
rate is likewise true of the height OF the air
column in a wind instrument. In this instru-
ment the man standing blows across the OPEN
ing of the hollow box, while the actor sitting on
the stage works the plunger that lengthens or
shortens the air column; in other words, plays
the tune. One is really the bellows and the
other the performer.
Twenty vibrations to the second produce the
lowest audible note, while they may increase to
40, 900. which may still be heard as a shrilI
penetrating whistle.
WHAT Constitutes Music.
Now, it is this vibration, impaired to the air
which breaks in little waves upon the ear. that
constitutes music. We think of it as a success
sion of sweet tones; it is succession of differ
emit length vibrations. 1t is a familiar fact that
when q note is sounded on q violin the piano
string of the corresponding note begins to vi
brate. The violin makes the piano respond in
sympathy, In this lies the whole secret of
listening to music. The auditory nerve in the
ear consists OF bundle of minute fbers, each
of which ends in what might be called little
sounding board. Each fiber is tuned to q sep
arate tone, and when the violin plays the same
thing happens TO the as to the piano strings
each vibrates in sympathy to the note to which
it is tuned and il a perfect reproduction OF the
violin.
a
stefan who boosted he could destroy heavy
! stone bridge without touching it. Challenged,
| he took his violin and sounded on one string,
and kept this up continuously until the arches
began to tremble and at last fell in. The con-
slant vibration Of one tone, alphabetically re-
| sponded toby the stone arches. pushed on them.
| so to speak, until they tumbled down. Believe
| it or not the principle is true. vibration
| that is irregular In the number of beats to the
second produces dscordant noise; one tina,
is regular or periodic produces a musical tone
and It Is this regularity which, for some reason
in our nature, we know not why, causes pleas
| urable sensation.
| THE PARTIAL TONES.
There is q curious fact in this connection
worthy an attempt 10 observe. Accompanying,
each tone there are what ars known as partia
tones, above and below. They always occur
One listening closely may hear with the giveI
note corresponding tone one octave above
another the fifth note above that, still another
two octaves above, and SO on. They are at bes
scarcely audible, though they have their valu,
in tonic effect, and finally becoming less and les
distinct disappear from our means of detec
ton. But such notes are in the air and hay,
their value with others, though we may not b.
able to separate and distinguish them.
The National Museum has had prepared /,
catalogue of musical instruments which nov
numbers 900 names. Not that there are tina
many distinct kinds of instruments, but i,
variety OF special forms used by different race
of mon and at different times, ancient an,
modern, they are probably greatly in exceas O
that number, such IL the interest taken b
mankind and the happiness derived from tn
gentle art Of melody. D. O. VAN Corr.