The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-10-25


manufacturer and teacher, In point
of fact, firm composed of RUBY
Brooks grandfather and uncle Qaban
l., Lewis s. Coz were really the makers
of his instruments, which were OF ma
pie, the necks being scooped out near
the hoop, thus making hiatus OK
about four inches between the termina-
ton of the face of the neck and the
rim. 1t was in Jacobs store that the
three brothers Bryant, Eph Horn, Uns-
worth, and other prominent profession
ais We're wont to assemble Of morn
ing to hear the latest news and tunes
going in the banjo world.
Landers of Spring street and Hanning
of Forsyth street We're we'll and most
favorably known as makers, especially
the latter, who furnished well-fnish-
ed, compactly made, and full, flne-toned
instrument. Veneering the rim of the
banjo with thin German silver was the
thought of an early maker by the name
of Albert Wilson, a resident of Troy,
N. Y. He was an adept in this metal,
making many ingenious articles there
from, which he sold. Although given
to fashioning banjos in many odd de-
signs by way of experiment Gas did
Farnham, another maker, of Albany,
he finally adhered to the legitimate in
strument, and was deemed the very best
of makers. Many Of his banjos were
profusely inlaid with pearl, silver, or
fancy woods, Solid bell-metal rims
were tried, but not retaining their shape
| were abandoned
| Now the silver or nickelled rim BAN
| 10, virtually the Wilson, has become
the standard, for while aiding to pre-
serve the form of the rim these mater
ials are believed to present more at
| tractive appearance.
| Formerly banjos with raised frets
were very rare. They were possessed
by only few players, notable among
whom were Frank Converse and George
| Swayne Buckley, who, being accom-
| plished musicians, comprehended the
| capabilities of the banjo and the neces-
| sity of frets for the proper expression
| thereof Many, less ambitious, retain
| ed the smooth finger board as better
| adapted for conveying the characters
| tic music of the day. AS for the rela-
tive merits of these finger boards, much
that is favorable may be claimed for
| CetSh. ne II GllCo llIlSSI pOdAd lS IlOW
generally preferred, as 1t greatly facili-
tates execution and enables the player
to produce clearer tones and true notes
with less care or difficulty, especially
upon the upper part of the finger board.
The covering of the face of the neck,
wholly or part, with thin brass was in
vogue in Horace Weston's time, with
those who used non-fretted instruments.
Tilton, on Broadway, near Spring
street, also made banjos as we'll as
guitars.
The Dobsons have been favorably
known for years as proficient players
of the banjo. Their advertisements as
teachers and makers have continually
been before the public. An innova-
ton in the shape of a closed-back BAN
10 for a time occupied their attention.
Subsequently a so-called bell banjo"
made its appearance in their hands, the
latter meeting with greater success
than did their former conception.
| John M. Turner has long been known
as banjo soloist, manufacturers and in
structor. He is the author of many
comic songs, while his instrumental
pieces have received the encomiums OF
tIle Icttt De OlIILlOLG, anu u lnuSlCdl
directors both here and abroad. He
teaches the banjo in accordance with
the regular rules of music.
Let it here be. said that there are in
vogue several "simplified methods" OF
writing music for the banjo, One OF
these is believed to have originated
with Mob" Turner, minstrel violin
list, but surely no "simpllfied method
commends itself to those initiated into
the regularly established, legitimate
system of musical notation; and the
advice is here extended to those about
!. to learn the banjo, to begin and con.
tinue in the orthodox way.
Jimmy" Clark next appeared as a
maker, mostly for professionals, and
there are still extant among the frater.
nifty special examples of his craft
. which, though not up to the present
, standard in finish, compare rather fav.
orably in tone with those Of the later
, day manufacturers.
There are many excellent instruments
upon the market among which may be
mentioned as specially worthy of con.
sideration those made by Lansing, Cat
, comb, and Fairbanks of Boston, and by
! | oleWdTl u IHlldu6lpuid. Inc writer
who for thirty-five years has been ar
! | amateur devoted to the very best in
trests of the banjo, believes, without In
terest or prejudice of any sort what
, ever, that the Morrison is the best and
most enduringinstrument that has thus
far been produced but hopes that ex
, pertinent and experience will teach how
, a richer and fuller tone may yet be i'm
| Its votaries, and pamphlets are cireu
, lated by the manufacturers extollinx
the special merits Of their respective
instruments, and setting forth in glow
, ing terms their ultra excellences of toni
and construction.
t The banjo journals that are published
7 | throughout the country contain matte
| of great moment to those interested il
. the banjo, and do much to advance TIL,
, character of it's music, the proper fin
| | gering o. the instrument, and to pro
} | mote the general welfare. The criti
: | cisms are, for the most part, fair ant
! generous, and free from Jealousy o
acumen, though now and then someon
> tries, either from personal pride o
| pecuniary interest, to ride some par
| ticular hobby almost to death. 1t is
| wide world with room enough in it TO
all deserving folk. Let no one set him
self UP as too absolute an autocrat, blu