The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-28
HARMONIOUS BY THE MILLION.
THE MOST POPULAR MUSICAL
INSTRUMENT IN AMERICA.

Tho American Small Boy . Master OF Il
which Proves That He Has . Muhca
Ear--wonders Harmonica Kings Car
Accomplish with It-Made in Germany
The harmonica Is probably tho most
popular musical instrument OF this country
though still neglected by tho great masters
Twenty million harmonious were imported
into this country last year. Eight out OF
every ten went to supply the needs Of the
small boy, the greatest exponent Of har-
monica music.
Harmonious were first imported IN 1862
For years Germany has had hard time
in supplying the demand here for them
number sent over.
Any one who thinks tho American boy
isn't musical nsed only study the importA-
ton figures for hsrmonicas,' said . dealer
the other day. ITO be sure. some are bought
as toys, for babies, but the boys buy three
fourths Of them. They buy them to play
on. and to play q harmonioa ono has to
have good musical ear. To all others
its music Is mystery
Most, II not all, OF the harmonious whose
music sets feet doing jig steps around the
globe arc made In Germany and Austria.
Nhe-tenths como from the Black Foreet
Of Germany. where In one factory alone
1900 bands are employed turning out the
little instruments. Machinery plays . part
in their manufacture, but the delicate IT.
ting Of the little reeds, as they are called.
which make the tone. 10 done by hand.
sooned by the great masters Of music,
the harmonica still produces more music
for Its size than any other instrument
known to the musical world. and at the
least cost.
Large numbers Of harmouicas are aold
AS toys, but those who have mastered
the mystery Of making music on them resent
the imputation that the harmonioa belongs
to toydom rather than to the world OF
music. Its capacity as musical instru-
ment is wonderful, according to the claim Of
the harmonica kings.
No music Is written for the harmonica.
1t can be played only by those who have
a natural ear for music. Years ago, when
1t first came out, somebody did get out
q book OF instruction for 1t. The book
didn't have any sale, because there Is only
one possible teacher, and that is ones own
ear.
For those not endowed with an ear for
music the harmonioa defes all attempts
to be made tuneful, while for him with
the musical ear it will produce anything
from jig.to a grand opera selection.
In the hand Of Its master, a small boy
especially. it can render the popular tune
Of the season as no other instrument can.
Ita yn,,oio an trollou oopoip1 hop,a
from Coney Island on the long ride over
the marshes, after tho noise Of the ragtime
pianos and the cheap brass bands Of the
guitar. and Its player Is the wonder OF the
car.
Strange to say, the German boy doesn't
care half 30 much about har1no meas as
the English boy and the American boy,
for sy 10 ssn q III the n sets s sspp
ing people OF the globe buy most Of them.
The Italian boy, the Spanish boy and
even the French boy have no regard for
the h armon MICA. Like their forebears they
prefer the stringed instrument to make
music on and not the harmonica. II you
ask the harmonica sellers the reason for
this unpopularity Of the harmo MICA in those
countries, nine times out OF tSn they'll
say it's because tho American boy has a
better ear for music, take him all in all,
ana henOe tnere are more nero VINO can
play the hamonica-
70 can " harmonica for a nickel
or you can pay $ for one. You can buy
foursided and sixsided harmonious, which
are only harmonicas OF different keys made
together. You can also buy harmonious
with bells attached to them.
But the American boy buys the 10 cent
kind generally. and has as much fun as he
would with the IS one, for a ten cent har-
monica manipulated by master will
turn out ANYTHING from Alexander to
Carmen Even the harmonic kings
seldom pay more than rs or 50 cents for
their harmonious.
Some Of the kings do great things With
the harmonica. For instance, one man,
who poses as the Paderewsh Of the har-
monica, initiates on 1t the sounds Of the
lanyard the whistle Of the steamboat,
the music OF chimes and the organ and a
advertises his ability to make it speak
fifteen distinct words.
Over in New Jersey the harmonica play
ers have an annual contest for the cham
pionship Of the State. The last one was
held IN Jersey City and contestants came
that Sid G., France still holds the State
after three straight victories,
N which it is said he made it do everything
but walk.
There is now a movement on foot to have
RranQ uAtlOnal Heetln8 OF nar1nOhCa
players for the purpose Of deciding the
nooted question OF whicn national cham
picn Is the real champion. Nothing out
tide OF grand opera will probably be allowed,
except initiative sounds. Special attention
8 10 be given to tremolo and tongueing,
Ill marks OF the harmonioa players eff
,iency.
John F. Irish, who has been playing the
for thirty years, recently replied
% critics OF the Instrument. Irish, who
holds several championships, says that
here Is nothing better for boys and girls
With weak lungs for 1t ia L, great chest
developer All harmonica kings have great
chest expansion.
"A great many persons don't play the
properly said Irish, the other
lay. you should never play 1t sitting
Town, any more than the violin
Il advise all boys and girls who play 1t
o stand perfectly straight, have the head
veil up and to fill the lungs first with air.
Then hold the little instrument In the right
land, with the palm open; place 1t In the
mouth with the bass to the left and blow
EASILY into 1t few times, in fact, breathe
through it.
1Thfs may cause dizziness at first, but that
will pass away az suddenly as it came.
You can flll any hall In time with melodious
music. The notes are as fine and true as
hose OF any instrument made and when you
Ire through you can put 1t In the smallest |
,ooket in your clothes.
The harmonica, In spite OF the harrnonica |
,ings, has no place in the orchestra yet,
principally because 1t lacks half tones.