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THE
NOVEMBER 16, 1918
BANDSMEN IN THE ARMY
MUSIC
TRADE
THE HISTORY OF THE MANDOLIN
Facts and Figures Regarding the Make-Up of Introduced in This Country in l€79,;the Growth
of Its Popularity Has Been Steady Ever
Army Bands, and the Various Duties Re-
Since—Various Developments of the Instru-
quired of the Musicians—Promotions and Pay
ment—Old Masters Have Written for It
The duties of bandsmen enlisted in army
The mandolin has had a most interesting ca-
bands consist of rehearsals, guard-mount and
in America, having been introduced in 1879
certain evening concerts. "Hikes" (long walks) reer
r
are indulged in at the command of the ranking b} a troupe of so-called Spanish students (really
officer of the regiment with which the band is Italians), who soon disbanded and settled in va-
allied. This practically covers what is required rious parts of the country.
At that time all mandolins had to be imported
during a stay at any one of the many camps now
existent. During actual war service, however, from Italy, but American manufacturers soon
the bandsmen are frequently sent out as began to supply the demand, and at the present
"stretcher bearers," as the actual fighting men time the best mandolins in the world, as well
as instruments of practically every kind, are
cannot be spared for such work.
In a small band of twenty men there are at made in this country. The Italian style is the
least four cornets and five or six clarinets, but familiar bowl-shaped or "potato bug" model,
there will be only two tubas, one baritone, three but for the last fifteen years various manufac-
trombones and so on, because in the assembling turers have made a violin or Hat model, which
of an organization much care must be given to is now equally as popular as the older style.
The mandolin is adapted to practically all
having the various groups well balanced. In a
large band of fifty men there are at least six styles of music, from the lightest of popular
cornets and about twelve clarinets, but to these songs to the classics of the masters, and, strange
there would be added only two more tubas and as it may seem to those who have not heard it,'
good music is effective on the mandolin when it
possibly one more baritone.
Heretofore men in the service have always is well played. There are many soloists Who
been provided with an instrument, and would be are capable of playing violin concertos and such
to-day but for the fact that for many months other works of that nature which are suitable
the manufacturers have been unable to keep up for the instrument.
Unfortunately, the mandolin, in common with
with the demand for supplies, and frequently
since the declaration of war against Germany the other fretted instruments, has suffered
the enlisted bandsmen have been using their pri- through the more or less unscrupulous methods,
vately owned instruments. The output of sev- not to say incompetence, of certain teachers. For
eral of the larger concerns has practically been example, those teachers who attempt to catch
commandeered in some instances, and intimation the unwary by offering a complete "course"
given that unless a certain contract was filled in five or ten lessons and at a bargain price, or
within a specified time the Government would by guaranteeing to do certain palpably impos-
take over the factory and have the work done sible things in a certain time or "money back,"
under its own supervision. For this reason it have served to disgust and discourage more peo-
may be possible to find many of our enlisted ple, one could almost say, than legitimate and
capable teachers can interest.
musicians still using their own instruments.
The fretted instruments have suffered more
Salaries paid bandsmen are as follows: Band
leader, $81 by the. month; first sergeant, $81; as- from the "cheap" teacher than any other family
sistant leader, $48; men of the first-class, $44; of instruments, the reason, no doubt, being that,
second-class, $38; and third-class, $36. In ad- owing to the comparative ease with which a
dition thereto the men are provided with their slight knowledge and facility may be gained,
maintenance and uniforms. Men who receive a such so-called "teachers," after having acquired
commission (a lieutenancy, an honor many band- the ability to play a few tunes, have suddenly
masters already have obtained) naturally receive become "professors," and : retailed their knowl-
edge at 35, 50 or 75 cents, or more if they could
greater emoluments for their services.
The Government has recently issued a call
for at least 500 bandmasters, but it will be nec-
essary for all applicants to prove their qualifica-.
tions for said position before obtaining same.
As such appointment probably will carry with it
JOHNFRIEDRICH&BRO
a commission it will be well worth seeking, par-
ticularly by the young student of harmony who
already has a fair idea of conducting. As the
bands will all be made up on the fifty-men basis,
it is a great opportunity for the young musicians
of to-day.
OLIVER DITSON GO.
Do your "two bits." Get another Thrift Stamp.
RONQ
T H E OLDEST AND
LARGEST MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE HOUSE
IN AMERICA
Exclusively Wholesale
ESTABLISHED 1834
BOSTOV. MASS.
get it. Any teacher of the fretted instruments,
if he is really capable and has received the
proper education himself, should and does com-
mand a price for his instruction which compares
favorably with the standard price of lessons on
other instruments.
The introduction in recent years of the deeper
voiced instruments, mandola, mando 'cello and
mando bass, to the mandolin family has resulted
in the development of the mandolin orchestra to
such an extent that many standard works can
be very effectively rendered, with all the voices
brought out in the proper manner. The mando
'cello, an instrument having the tuning and
voice of the regular 'cello, but played with a
plectrum in the mandolin style, has a beautiful
quality of tone, and is very effective as a solo
instrument, much of the literature of the 'cello
being perfectly adapted to it.
It should be mentioned that the mandolin was
played and written for by many of the old
masters, among them being Beethoven, who
composed a Sonatine and an adagio especially
for the instrument, with piano accompaniment,
and Mozart, who gave the accompaniment to
the serenade in "Don Juan" to the mandolin
(although it is poorly imitated by the pizzicato
on the violin in modern presentations).
Mozart also wrote at least two songs with
the sole accompaniment of the mandolin.
RARE VIOLIN IN CONCERT
"Fountaine" Guarnerius, Sold by Friedrich &
Bro., Used by Thelma Given at Her Debut
The violin used by Thelma Given at her debut
at Carnegie Hall on November 3 was a genuine
Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu. This rare old in-
strument was part of the collection of John
Friedrich & Bro. at their studios at 279 Fifth
avenue, New York City, and was purchased from
them by Miss Given. It is an exceptionally fine
instrument and has been called the "Fountaine"
Guarnerius, as it had long been in the collec-
tion of Andrew Fountaine.
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Manufac-
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45
REVIEW
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