El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-22

THE American Guild of Mandolin
lists, Banjoists and Guitarists, now
in session in Philadelphia, rep-
resents class of musical artists whose
work merits greater considera ton
than 1t generally receives. The enOr-
nous increase in the piano trade in
America necessarily overshadows the
claim of all stringed instruments, but
this does not indicate that there is
any decline in popularity of the latter
in public favor On the contrary
stringed instruments were never so
popular as today ard America is TAX
ing front rank both as regards the
development Of this class of music
and the manufacture of the instru-
ments themselves
The guild in session is giving con-
slderation to the music that is spe-
cially appropriate and to the importa-
ton OF other stringed instruments sim
mar IN scope. For vacation purposes,
informal gatherings and outings the
banjo, mandolin or guitar can supply
a need which the buIkiness of the
piano leaves vacant In addition to
this they lend themselves most CRATE
fully to composite music. Much of the
classic music originally prepared for
the piano has been arranged with
obligatos for these other instruments
and each year the variety increases
Banjo an American Invention.
The banjo is really an American in
vention, originating on the old planta-
ton and used by the negroes as an
accompaniment for their quaint weird
dftties. The musical value of these
negro melodies and their stunning
banjo accompaniment became known
even before the civil war After the
war minstrel companies were formed
with the banjo as the principal in
strument. These enjoyed a passing
favor in public patronage covering a
number Of years, during which time
the possibilities of the banjo for i'm
promptu music became generally rec
ognized
Manufacturers then began to make
banjos and put them upon the market
although the original one of the south
was OF home construction Like MANY
other fads the banjo was received at
first with great enthusiasm and clubs
sprang up in all parts of the country.
Many OF these were short lived and
soon, gave way TO a newer interest
But to the earnest player the musical
possibilities Of the banjo have never
lessened- Manufa cturers are shipping
them to other countries, and despite
assertions to the contrary. the banjo
mas now an established position among
musical Instruments
Are OF Ancient Origin.
The guitar and mandolin are very
old instruments much used in the days
Of chivalry. although their forerun-
ners antedate historical records The I
violin also, dates back to times of
early history. Nero fiddled while Rome |
burned, but ages before that celebrated !
performance the shepherd David re-
lieved the melancholia of king Saul |
by skilfully touching the strings of |
the psalter, an instrument closely re- |
sembling the guitar
In later history. stringed instru- /
ments have also played an important /
part. Senator Taylor of Tennessee. |
who is known as Fiddling Bob Tay- /
Ter" among his own people. is said |,
to have fiddled his way into the hearts |
Of many of his constituents During /
a campaign in which there was fierce
rivalry, music was introduced by the |
opposing party. but the excellence OF
Bob's music defeated his brother can
didate and gave him his seat in the
United States senate.
The violin has long been the most
important Of stringed musical instru-
ments. The manufacture of fine vio-
Inns has been an art for centuries. !
There are many old ones now in ex-
istence, each Of which is worth a for
tune. A number of these are owned
by Americans. Under former inter-
pretations OF the customs law. yiolins
were admitted duty free as being
tools of trade" for musicians Lately. |
however, an antique violin has been
recognized as a piece OF fine art. 1t
IS therefore dutiable and violin SNUG
Cling is one Of the new developments
in custom evasion. A dealer in Chi
,ago has lately been sued for bringing
In two old violins from Canada. one a
Quedamini made in $780, and the other
an Amati. The two are valued a
1861. although they were purchased
n Toronto for $50. The duty on vio-
Inns is 45 percent. so this dealer will
likely have to pay over $4,000 and costs
'or his bargain.
The Havemeyer Violin
Another interesting violin customs
suit has just been opened against the
estate of the late H. o. Havemeyer. the
sugar magnate. Mr.. Havemeyer pur-
chased Stradirarius violin in London
n 1906 for $500 He brought it into
Boston without duty. although its
7alue at that time was set down at
$500. Now the customs authorities
ire suing his estate for duty based on
| valuation OF s10,9s7 Mr.. Havemey-
IT was especially fond Of old violins
md left a collection valued at nearly
so 900.
Violin Worth So, 600.
The most valuable violin III the world
S owned by the Spanish crown. 1t is
Stradivarius valued at $4,000 and
nook. Clay of his short-horns at Ash