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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
16
Crescentic Keyboard.
T
HE above title is given to a semi-cir-
cular or crescent-shaped form of a
finger-board, for the purpose of facilitat-
ing the performance of music on the piano-
orte, organ, etc., in the crossing of the
hands, in the reach of the octave, etc.,
which require less movement of the hands
and the body; less exertion; less reach for
the octave, etc.
This form of finger-board is semi-circular
and can be readily attached to a piano or
organ, simply by turning four thumb-
screws underneath the apparatus; it can
be placed above and back of the main
finger-board, thus forming two banks of
keys—two manuals, as it were—or it can
be the main finger-board itself.
To discover, says a pianist who values
the invention, the value of such a contriv-
ance, first play, for instance, Wm. Mason's
"Silver Spring," upon the curved key-
board, then try the same piece of music
upon the straight finger-board, and note
the difference. The circular or curved key-
board admits of freer action to the con-
tinual crossing of the hands, while the
straight finger-board does not admit of this
free and convenient play of the hands and
fingers, says a London paper. In the oc-
tave, for example, in which the third and
fourth (little) fingers play such an import-
ant part, the convenience of the curve is
happily felt; while in the performance of
arpeggios, broken thirds, sixths, etc., or
when the two hands play close to each
other at the extreme ends of the piano key-
board, this convenience is also felt. This
arrangement, for instance, makes the
skips shorter for the left hand; it allows
the performer to play without bending the
wrist sideways; and gives no excuse for
the contortions so often displayed by the
man who puts the right foot on the loud
pedal, and the left foot—nobody knows
where. Small hands or short fingers soon
discover the value of such a contrivance,
and, besides, there is a better chance to hit
the key aimed at, which certainly would
avoid so many B flats for A flats, E flats
for D flats, F sharps for G sharps, etc.
There can be no cramping of the muscles
or awkwardness in difficult passages;
twelve hours' practice a day upon the
curved keyboard is less tiresome than six
hours a day upon the straight finger-board.
Of course, this statement has reference to
the advanced student.
The crescent shape style of finger-board
is arranged similar to the armonica, which
could not be played upon quite so readily
if the glasses were placed in a straight
line.
The above-described finger-board
may be recommended to take the place of
the good old style keyboard, as it is less
tiresome to the performer and far more
convenient.
The curved finger-board is
especially adapted to children, and is most
convenient for the lady pianist. The phil-
osophy of the thing shows for itself with-
out any further explanation.
Musicians in .the past, during the Mozart
and Beethoven period, required no such
contrivances as curved or crescentic key-
boards for the performance of music
written within the compass of five octaves.
Man's reach has not been extended since
then, but the keyboard has. In the present
era of the seven and one-half octave key-
board, the pianist uses the semi-circular
form that requires less reach, facilitates
the performance of music thereon, and
allows him a better husbanding of strength
for a greater amount of practice, thus giv-
ing the practitioner a greater command of
the instrument in a shorter time, with less
fatigue.
The Reimers Piano Co
FACTORY NOW RUNNING AND PIANOS WILL BE
READY EARLY NEXT MONTH.
T
HE Reimers Piano Co., of Poughkeepsie
N. Y., set the machinery in motion in
their fine three-story factory on Mechanic
street,"the week before last, and with a
competent staff of employees in the several
departments, all under the personal super-
intendence of Mr. Reimers, are getting
things into workable shape.
Sufficient
orders are now in hand to enable them to
dispose of all the pianos they can turn out
—hence they expect to add immediately to
their force of employees.
It is the intention of the Reimers Piano
Co. to manufacture a first-class piano—an
instrument that will win a legitimate place
in the trade—and under the competent
management of such a capable and practi-
cal man as Mr. Reimers, this is entirely
possible. It will be to the interest of
dealers to correspond with the Reimers
Piano Co., or personally inspect their pro-
ducts, which will be ready for the market
early next month. They will find them
attractive in design, with a scale that will
command attention for its musical worth,
and conscientiously made in all their parts.
The manufacturers of the Reimers piano
are men of acknowledged standing in the
financial world, and they have entered the
piano field to win by making meritorious
instruments that deserve consideration and
support.
Gain Knowledge
Of the u innards " of a piano by a little reading. You may have
been a dealer for many years, you may have been a tuner for a
like period, you may have played a little—maybe more; but is
it not well to get a little more practical knowledge?
Some-
thing to bank on—an authority on all matters relating to tun-
ing, repairing, toning and regulating, scientific instructions—
everything? Written by that eminent authority, Daniel Spilliine.
The cost is only a trifle—a dollar,
Xhe book is illustrated,
cloth bound, over » hundred pvgiss. Xt is called "The Piano."
EDWARD LYMAN BILL,
PUBLISHER,
$ Cast 14U1 Street, N e w Vorlt.