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48
THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
NOVEMBER 26, 1921
IN THE MUSICAL MERCHANDISE DOMAIN—(Continued from page 47)
PROFESSOR INVENTS 'CELLO
KOCH
Cornell Man Perfects Five-string Instrument,
Which Extends Scope of 'Cello Playing
Vladimir Karapetoff, professor of electrical
engineering at Cornell University, has perfected
a five-string 'cello, the added string'being tuned
to E, which is one-fifth above fhe regular 'cello.
Professor Karapetoff points out that the added
string does away with much playing on higher
positions, especially with thumb bridging. It
will enable many viola parts in chamber music
to be played on a second 'cello. While theo-
retically the range is extended only a fifth, in
reality it is extended by over an octave, be-
cause one can play much easier on a thinner
string, the ratio of the diameter to the length
being much more favorable.
It may be of interest to mention that one of
Bach's suites or sonatas for unaccompanied
'cello (the last one of the six) was written for a
five-stringed instrument. It is a beautiful com-
position, which loses a great deal when per-
formed on four strings. This sonata can now be
played in all its original sonority and dignity
on a five-stringed instrument, which he named
viola pomposa. This had the same open strings
as Professor Karapetoff's instrument, but was
much smaller and was played while holding it
against the shoulder like an ordinary violin. It
did not prove to be a success and Professor
Karapetoff attributes the limitation to have
been in the material of the string used, which
was gut. The addition of the fifth string on the
'cello has been made possible because of the de-
velopment of modern steel wire of his tensile
strangth.
The fifth string makes it possible to play
many violin pieces of moderate difficulty on the
'cello, an octave lower, using nearly the same
positions, thus opening to the 'cellist a vast
additional store of high-grade music. It also
greatly extends the usefulness of the 'cello in
the symphony orchestra and in grand opera.
USES RARE VIOLIN
Spanish Violinist Plays Instrument Recently
Imported by C. A. Renie
KANSAS CITY, MO., November 21.—Among the
musical features at the Orpheum Theatre last
week was the playing by Otto Gygi, the Span-
ish violinist, upon a Gagliano violin. This vio-
lin was recently imported from Italy by Charles
A. Renie, a local connoisseur in old violins. Mr.
Renie is manager of the musical instrument de-
partment of the Smith, Barnes & Strohber
Music Co. He makes a specialty of the rare and
the unusual in musical merchandise and has
found it very profitable.
ES
*
JOHNFRIEDRKH&BRO
RONQ
T H E OLDEST AND
LAROEST MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE HOUSE
IN AMERICA
W::mr;
KOCH, A. G, TROSSINGEN, Manufacturers '6f^ y4::: '^—
^
Accordions, Harmonicas, Violins, Bows
and Full Line ol Accessories
Office and Show Room
Write for Catalox ami Prices
1133 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
Shipping and Stock Room
NEW DORP, S. I.. NEW YORK
COUTURIER PERFECTS NEW MUTE
SECURES BACON CO. AGENCY
New Device Has Great Possibilities—Oklahoma
Couturier Dealer Active
Sherman, Clay & Co. Will Now Handle This
Line of Banjos on the Pacific Coast
LA PORTE, IND., November 21.—Announcement has
been made by the E. A. Couturier Band Instru-
ment Co. of the invention by Mr. Couturier of
a new mute for band instruments. The mute
is made of brass and, while very simple, is ex-
tremely ingenious, inasmuch as it provides for a
variety of effects. It is primarily a practice mute
and as such produces the tone of the instrument in
perfect pitch. Adjustment increases the volume
of tone and makes it suitable for use in orchestra
when it is desirable to tone down the brasses.
A third adjustment gives a wonderfully true imi-
tation of a real French horn toned so that a
cornetist in a small orchestra who finds the
French horn cued can produce it on his cornet
or trumpet.
A telegraphic order was received by the Cou-
turier Co. this week from a dealer in Sapulpa,
Okla., who has secured a contract for the equip-
ment of all public school bands in Sapulpa with
Couturier brasses.
The Couturier manufacturing force is being in-
creased as rapidly as suitable men can be se-
cured for the various departments. For the past
two weeks the volume of orders has made it nec-
essary to work two shifts in a number of de-
partments.
NEW LONDON, CONN., November 21.—It is an-
nounced that Sherman, Clay & Co., the large
Pacific Coast music company, has been given the
exclusive agency for the Bacon banjos, made by
the Bacon Banjo'Co., of this city. Bacon in-
struments have been on sale at the San Fran-
cisco store for a few weeks and have met with a
very favorable reception.
Fred J. Bacon, president of the company, is
enthusiastic over the phenomenal progress the
Bacon instruments have made in the past few
months. The popularity of these instruments
among the trade has grown with rapid strides.
The Bacon Banjo Co. has orders on its books to
keep it operating at full capacity for several
months.
The University Music Shop, of New York
City, has been granted a charter of incorpora-
tion under the laws of that State, with a capi-
tal of $20,000. Incorporators are J. Spira, J. B.
Schwartz and A. Boxer.
Sordillo Adjustable Metal Mute
THE EASIEST BLOWING MUTt
ON THE MARKET. PERFECT IN-
TONATION AND TONE QUALITY.
INDESTRUCTIBLE AND LIGHT AS
FIBRE.
Chosen for the 70-plece band at the
PILGRIM TERCENTENARY AT
PLYMOUTH
MARTIN CO. IN NEW QUARTERS
CHICAGO, III., November 21.—The Martin Band
Instrument Co., formerly located at 305 South
Wabash avenue, this city, has moved into new
and more spacious quarters at 214 South Wabash
avenue. This building was at one time occupied
by the George P. Bent Co. This concern has the
exclusive distributing rights in Illinois and Wis-
consin for Martin band instruments.
Cornet, Trumpet and Trombone Dealers
Hunt's new Invention Mute Is guaranteed to be the lightest,
most effective Mute Ever Produced.
Perfect Saxophone, French Horn and Jazz Cornet.
Price for Cornet or Trumpet
$5.00
Price for Trombone
$6 50
Also, try one of Hunt's Perfect Contact Mouthpieces.
CHAS. A. HUNT &. CO., 48 Mahl Ave., Hartford, Ct.
RETTBERG & LANGE
Established .1897
Patented flnger-grlpa permit adjust-
ment ami hold mute securely
We manufacture the famous Multl-
liore Mouthpiece, Gardner Machine
Tynipanl. Drums, etc.
Liberal discounts to dealers
U-.v'--""-""-"'^
"Orpheum" Banjos
and
"Randl" Drums
225-227 East 24th Street
NEW YORK
Sordino-Gardner, Inc.
61 COURT ST.. BOSTON.
MASS.
Black Diamond
Strings
THE WORLD'S BEST
National Musical String Co.
New Brunswick, N. J.
MANUFACTURERS OF
Factory and Salesroom
Victor Distributors
Inc.
0
OLIVER DITSON CQ
BOSTON. >IAS3
Manufacturer*
Importers and Jobbers of
MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE
Attractive Specialties
' Modern S e r v i c e
ESTABLISHED 1834
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