Morris tribune., 1892-03-16
CHINESE ORCHESTRAs.
REMARKABLE lhsTnuMEN1's or EAR
aPL,1T iaa gANos.

ing InPentians ffonI tyif.a3 Chinese
Musicians isia..l naiectaale Melody.
Prices Of thu aIus!aai Devices.
The ordinary aioagalian orchestra.
such MS is to be fouud usually dis
pensir-g tunes for tho lelectatl0n of the
Celestial ears 1T TIE Chinese theaters in
this city, is compose of ten pieces, and
each player In; bis eaaliar instrument,
on which he Is ,b,cpt He also per.
forms upon 1t VIII ~ apparent stoical
indifference as to the scores of his fellow
musicians.
Thoroughly To oqlip an orchestra
with proper Instruments entails cost
of $1,000, which amount any nervous
householder who has ever had the mis-
fortune to reside within carshot of one
at practice would be willing to advance
twice over i'll order to have it moved on.
After purchasing the instruments play
ers are needed, and their services vary
in price, according 70 ability, expertness
and reputation. The Monaghan must
clan values his ability at from 81 to So
per night, but if he has climbed the lad
der of fame he will demand from SIS 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 key
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 a Chinese must
cal device of peculiar construction. It
consists of q framework of wood, upon
which is set conical top Of hard wood
covered with calfskin. Projecting from
the top of the frame is hollow square
.he size CT cigar box, covered with
rawhiGe. Sounds are produced by strik-
ing the top, which elnits bass notes, and
the projecting hide covered square with
druinsticks This tuneful instrument
costs $3.50.
The cymbals Of the Chinese are Of
hammered brass, similar in design to
those used by American bands, and costs
eighteen dollars.
Brass gongs shaped much like 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 concaye form and of very
light weight, that gives forth a tingling
sound, is another orchestral instrument.
It costs $3.50. Monaghan iddles 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 it's
strings Il 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 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 healthier may be very
appropriately ikened to a small sized
frying pan with avery 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 large
sized snare drum and about half the
depth. Four keys and the same number
of strings are used. The sum of $3.50
will buy one for ordinary use.
A Chinese flute is purchaseable at
seventy five cents, if of ordinary make
and without ornamentation. It has ten
finger holes and gives vent to shrill and
discordant notes, which delight Chinese
ears but CRATE upon those of the eau
casian.
In some cases Chinese orchestras con-
tain several futists, 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 Monaghan what
the cornet is to us. Its evident use is to
add variety to the clamors of the drums
and cymbals and the discordant sounds
of flute and fiddle. It is sort of medi-
ator between all those revolutionary in
and has tendency to veneer
the discord, which apparently is the ba
sis of all Chinese music.
The Monaghan ear has become Injured
to such strains, and to the child of the
Flowery Kingdom it speaks Of home,
love and revenge. So long as
he does not take summary vengeance
upon his unsteady inclined fellow coun-
trymen let him enjoy to the full the ag-
onies of sound which Monaghan orches-
tras produce. San Francisco Chronicle