The herald., 1893-07-10
THE BANJO THE THING.
you MUST PICK IT ro BE IN FA-
eHION.
Hundreds OF People Here who Arc
Devoted to the Instrument-
Some Features OF the
erase.

Picking the banjo is popular fad In
Los Angeles at the present time.
1t seems that way at any rate to note
the numbers of people who are seen ON
the streets with such instruments.
One would imagine from the fra
quency with which people with banios
are to be observed that about 100 min.
strel shows were in process Of incubs-
tion in this city.
The most peculiar thing that attracts
observation is the number Of women
who carry banjos.
So much has banjo carrying become q
street spectacle that some inquiries
were made about it yesterday, and the
result was quite astonishing.
In the city at this time there are be-
tween 500 and 900 persons Who are
learning to play the ban 10. This is
somewhat remarkable in o city the sise
of Los Angeles. but those posted In the
matter vouch for the truthfulness Of the
statement.
Another curious thing about 1t is that
out OF the number mentioned, two
thirds of the pupils are young ladies.
Just what there is about q banjo to
create such furore amongst the fair
sex is unexplicable. But the craze ex-
lists and the man would be very foolish
to endeavor to divert their attention
from it until it works itself ont.
'The ladies who take lessons on the
banjo" remarked banjo enthusiast,
"are not consumed with Q desire to do
more than learn few tunes for use in
their parlors. They don't care much
about becoming experts. and the dear
creatures pick away upon few popular
airs until they can knock out q negro
melody or breakdown, and then they
are satisfied"
''It is quite paying business" he
continued, "for the teachers who give
lessons on this instrument. They are
rushed to death and make good
money 4 out OF the business. You
see, a girl considers it the correct
thing to be able when her best fellow
calls to casually pick up her banjo ss II
she knew all about IL and overpower
him by her manipulation OF the strings.
In most cases he is go charmed by the
grace and deftness with which "Old
Black Joe" is reeled off that he 10 not
over-critical, and does not know that he
would cover the maiden OF his choice
with confusion II he should inquire
little bit into her knowledge"
There are quite number OF fine
banjoists in this city, it was learned,
and they do not hesitate to claim for
the instrument in the hands OF clever
manipulator q range of musical soand
that causes a violinist and guitarist to
emile unpleasantly and make side re-
marks about the song and dance char
acter of everything pertaining to the
banjo.
1t is really astonishing, however, what
lot of really classical music 10 being
adapted TO the banjo, and to hear the
cranks on the subject one would easily
consider it to be deserving oil the atten-
tion which is now being shown toward
it among all classes Of people.
- Most OF the muuic stores in the city
do handsoms business in banjos. 1t
is very SNOWY instrument, and ranges
In price from low to q very high 6g-
ure. The teachers display great discre-
tion in their treatment OF their pupils,
particularly the ladies. They know just
what they are up to, and the girls know
that they know 1t, but everything goes.
Some Of the teachers guarantee pupil
to be able to play three or four tunes in
a certain number OF lessons, and the
great majority of pupils drop out when
that stage is reached.
How long the banjo craze in the city
will last it is difficult to tell, but while
it does the musical instrument dealers
and the teachers are making hay.