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REMEW
THE
ffUJIC TIRADE
VOL. X L V . No. 2 1 . Published Eycry Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 1 Madison A r c , New York, November 23,1907
A NEW INSTRUMENT
f
Entitled The Harmochord Which Is Difficult to
Classify—The Missing Link Between the
Keyed and String Family—Prof. Freytag
of San Francisco Is the Inventor.
A most wonderful musical instrument, which
it is difficult to classify, is described in a recent
issue of the Scientific American. It is, practic-
ally, a missing link between the keyed and string
instruments of the usual form. Like a cabinet
organ it is played by operating a pedal, but as
it is a stringed instrument it has no bellows.
Like a guitar it is provided with strings of cat-
gut stretched over a fretboard, but the strings
instead of being picked by hand are vibrated by
means of an endless moving tape. Probably its
nearest analogue is to be found in the ancient
hurdy-gurdy, the predecessor of the violin, which
while similar to a violin in other respects, was
played by means of a revolving wheel instead
of a bow.
The harmochord, as the new instrument is
called, was invented by Prof. Ferdinand Freytag,
of San Francisco, with a view to producing vio-
lin effects in a simple manner. The instrument
is provided with five strings stretched over a
sounding board. The sounding board is mounted
on a stand in the lower part of which is the
operating pedal. By means of a series of pulleys
above and below the strings an endless tape is
led either up or down in close proximity to each
string. This system of pulleys is set in motion
by the pedal and the speed of travel of the tape
is thus directly under the operator's control.
Above the sounding board is a series of rollers
which bear against the endless tape near the
strings. These rollers are connected to a set of
selecting keys at the right-hand side of the
sounding board. There are five of these keys,
and they serve to select the string which is to be
sounded. When a key is depressed it causes its
roller to press the tape against the corresponding
string. The string is thus vibrated in a manner
similar to the vibration produced by means of a
bow. Several strings may be vibrated at the
same time to permit of playing chords. The in-
strument is provided with a fretboard which
assists the beginner in fingering the strings.
The quality of the tone produced by the harm-
ochord can be varied by regulating the speed
of the tape and the degree of pressure applied
to the keys. To be sure it will produce only
"straight bowing" effects, but its range is greater
than that of the violin. The strings are tuned in
the following order, beginning with the highest
tone: B, A, D, F, and A. Its scope is four and
a half octaves, and in its lower notes it resem-
bles a 'cello. The inventor claims that with this
instrument any one musically inclined may learn
to produce violin effects with a proficiency and
finish that would require many years of practice
on the violin.
OUR TRADE WITH CUBA.
Exports from the United States to Cuba in the
year which ends with next month seem likely
to exceed 50 millions dollars, against 46*4 mil-
lions in 1906, 44y 2 millions in 1905, 3 2 ^ millions
in 1904, 23% millions in 1903, and 23 millions
in 1902. Imports from the island will aggregate
nearly or quite 100 million dollars, against 85
millions in 1906, 96 millions in 1905, 75 millions
in 1904, 57 millions in 1903, and 48 1/ £ millions
in 1902.
TO ENLARGE PIANO DEPARTMENT,
The Duffy-Mclnnerney Co. Devote More Floor
Space to Pianos—Will Have Handsome
Parlors and Concert Hall.
(Special to The Review.)
Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1907.
The piano department of the Duffy-Mclnnerney
Co., under the management of John F. Griffin,
has proven so successful that it has been de-
cided to remove it from the main building to
the annex, just completed, where much greater
floor space will be available. Separate parlors
are being constructed for each make of pianos
handled by the firm, a pipe concert hall arranged
for and pipe organ installed therein for special
concerts. The Duffy-Mclnnerney Co. handle,
among other makes, the Chickering, Emerson,
Haines Bros., and Marshall & Wendell.
REWARD FOR CAPTURE OF PIANO DEALER
(Special to The Review.)
Paris, 111., Nov. 18, 1907.
At the request of State's Attorney McNutt, of
Coles county, Governor Deneen has authorized a
reward of $200 for the capture of Nelson Baber,
a piano dealer, who recently has disappeared,
owing $50,000, with assets of barely 1 cent on
the dollar. Baber had stores in Mattoon and
Charleston. His flight, a few weeks ago, was
followed by an investigation, which disclosed
grave irregularities in the conduct of his busi-
ness. The rewards for his arrest aggregate
nearly $1,000.
TELHARMONIC IMPROVEMENTS.
Telharmonic Hall, at Broadway and 39th
street, reopened for the season last Saturday
evening, when a varied and picturesque program
was presented illustrating the wonders and beau-
ties of music by wire-telharmony. Ten solo tel-
harmonists, a reconstructed stage, a new key-
board compassing the length of three piano
scales, and a generally enlarged demonstration
equipment in the main auditorium and in the
subterranean machinery hall of the service
were features of the reopening.
SINGL E
S
CENTS
-
$ 8 .OO°PER VEAR
mule raising and as the auto-truck was a direct
stab at that industry it had to go. Then Mr.
Ayres, always original, was not satisfied with
the usual style of contests in vogue, for the pret-
tiest girl, the most popular man, etc., but con-
ceived the idea of giving a piano to the one
chosen by vote as the homeliest man in Camden
county. About half the male population of the
county seemed to take the contest as a personal
rap and signified their intention of mauling or
perforating the music dealer at sight. The con-
test has been called off and Mr. Ayres is looking
for a nice new location in another part of the
state.
NAME OF "CHASE" CLAIMED BY BOTH.
Contention Between the Starr Piano Company
and the A. B. Chase Co.—Copyright Is In-
volved—Starr Co. Seek It and A. B. Chase
Co. Had Raised an Objection to Its Being
Granted.
An interesting point has arisen between the
Starr Piano Co. of this city, says the Richmond
(Ind.) Palladium, and the A. B. Chase Co. of
Norwalk, Ohio, through the United States Patent
Office at Washington, D. C, over the copyright
of the word "Chase" used by both on pianos
manufactured.
Claiming that the name "Chase" was originated
in 1861. and had since descended to the Starr
Piano Co. from the original concern, the local
company filed with the United States Patent Of-
fice bill for copyright. On hearing of this, Cal-
vin Whitney, president of the A. B. Chase Co.,
filed action requesting that the copyright be not
granted on the name. The question will not be
finally decided until President Calvin Whitney
hears and secures the testimony of the Starr
Piano Co., which will be forwarded to the Patent
Office in reply to the claims of the Chase Co.
The Ohio concern raises objection on the
grounds that with both companies using the same
name, it is an interference to trade. Of course
the A. B. Chase Co. also say the name is original
with them, maintaining that their claim ante-
dates the one of the Starr Piano Co.
The question will be solved by patent officials
if possible, and it is not probable there will be
any litigation.
HIVELY MUSIC CO. INCORPORATED.
The Hively Music Co., Shawnee, O. T., have
been incorporated with a capital of $25,000.
Directors: George T. Hively, John S. Hively,
and Clarence O. Hively.
TROUBLES OF PIANO SELLING IN MISSOURI
To be an enterprising piano dealer in certain
sections of Missouri appears to be a short cut on
the road to trouble if the experiences of Frank
W. Ayres, a furniture and piano dealer of Cape
Galena, that state, may be taken as an illustra-
tion. Mr. Ayres got along very well with the
citizens of Cape Galena until he tried to attract
attention by purchasing an auto-truck. He was
successful in attracting attention to an extent
far beyond his fondest hopes. The principal in-
dustry in that section of Missouri is horse and
LESTER PIANOS FOR SEMINARY.
Through Manager Clark of the Scranton, Pa.,
branch of the F. A. North Co., the Lester Piano
Co. have received orders to supply all the pianos
for Mt. St. Mary's Seminary in that city and St.
Casimer.'s Convent, newly opened at Mt. Carmel,
Pa. The order calls for a large number of in-
struments.
A piano store controlled by Halderman &
Seaton has opened at Earlville, 111.