Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
32
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
AUGUST 15, 1925
instrument's development along lines consider-
ed impossible ten years ago.
"It was a lucky thing when the tenor banjo
had its first tryout in the dance hall; lucky for
the instrument as well as the orchestra. Dance
music being of a character which depends on
bringing out the rhythm above everything else,
it didn't make much difference what part the
newcomer played; in fact, most leaders per-
mitted the banjoist to read from the first violin
score. In the majority of dance halls to-day,
the plan followed is to let both tenor and plec-
trum banjos play chords along with the piano
accompaniment, a decidedly effective method,
which keeps the dancer's attention on the ac-
cented parts of the music.
"In the concert orchestra, a different method
This popular instrument appeals particu-
must be employed, if the banjo is to become
larly to those preferring a sustained mel-
effective. The outlook toward establishing a
lowness of tone to volume.
permanent station seems very bright, from the
fact that many noted leaders have become
Cash In On It
banjo enthusiasts, and are studying the tonal
A Weymann Mandolute in your window
possibilities of the instrument in all its ramifi-
means more footsteps through your door—
cations.
more dollars in your cash drawer.
"A few weeks ago a brilliant example of the
Retail Prices $30 to $108
banjo's value was revealed in Rossini's 'Wil-
liam Tell' overture, played by the Stanley The-
Write nozv for catalog and Dealers' Discounts
atre orchestra in Philadelphia. The first tones
Dept. R
of the banjo came in the "Storm" passage,
when the banjo took the diatonic run along
with the trombone. The effect was heightened
near the end when the trombone was omitted,
11O6 Chestnut Street-Philadelphia, Pa
and the banjo closed the phrase in the usual
Ukuleles
diminuendo style. During the second move-
Banjos
-
Mandolutes
-
Guitars
ment of the overture, where the flute and oboe
have a duet, the banjo was not heard at all. In
the third movement, which is nothing but a gal-
op, the banjo played the melody nearly all the
way through, except near the close, when it
rendered full chords.
Thomas J. Armstrong, Old Time Banjo Player and One of the Leading Teachers of That In-
"It is this wonderful period of banjo history
strument, Points Out the Recognition Which Is Rapidly Coming to It
which comes to us, as a heritage, from the
pioneers who remained loyal to the instrument
' T H E banjo is now in a new realm, according to music dealers that we are reprinting a few throughout its checkered career. If the banjo
•*• to Thomas J. Armstrong, one of the old- of his ideas.
develops into a legitimate orchestral unit,
"After a strenuous career of more than half a which now appears certain, it means more
time banjo players and long a leading teacher
of that instrument. Mr. Armstrong has seen century, during which it has been tossed about pupils for the teacher, more sales for the manu-
the banjo progress through a long period of by those who were its friends, the lowly banjo facturer, and more opportunities for the music
years and his opinion is that it now has a place has blazed a path to freedom, leaped into the publisher. In addition to these, we still retain
in the orchestra which is secure for all time. Promised Land, and begun life anew in a field the banjo as a solo instrument for the concert
In a paper delivered before the recent conven- where it can grow and expand. Every member artist, and best of all, we may keep it handy
tion of the American Guild of Banjoists, Man- attending this convention must acknowledge as an agreeable companion for the home and
dolinists and Guitarists at Toledo, Mr. Arm- that the banjo has long been a favorite target fireside."
strong gave some interesting facts about the for the critic. It was looked upon as the vul-
banjo containing so much material of interest nerable spot left open and unguarded by the
Aaron ISurdwise, head of the musical mer-
plectral fraternity. What a relief it must be,
chandise
wholesale house, Baltimore, Md.,
for some of us, when we realize that the instru-
ment has become strong enough to protect it- which bears his name, has been granted
a patent for a new type of pick for musical in-
self and carve its own destiny," he said.
struments. Mr. Burdick's pick is so shaped
"One reason for the banjo's limited progress that it fits the contour of the thumb and index
in the past has been the timid attitude assumed finger. It is patent No. 1,547,560, dated July
by the players in their conception of concerted 28.
With the exception of the famoue
Paramount Un«, which U sold on tbo
music. A characteristic solo, or a' vocal num-
exclusiye affencjr basis, Lance banjo*
ber with an accompaniment, seemed about
are now sold direct to music dealers
everywhere.
enough to expect from a banjo. Such a thing
,_— _f *»•••• 1 *%. t n e Banjo mad«
as playing in an orchestra appeared sacrilegious.
a l l g S l l l C
for the Beginner
No one ever dreamed that the modern concert
The Lanrstile banjo enables you to serve a
orchestra, with its gorgeous combinations,
biff class of trade satisfactorily, belnj mad*
for the beginner. Lancstlle dealers will be
would permit a banjoist to sit among the
liberally supplied with sales helps and
violins, the trumpets, the noble trombones and
literature.
__ _ - l _ ^_ _ _ M -»->
for the
the French horns. The mere suggestion of
r p n c U 111 skilled Amateur
such a thing would have been resented, a few
We are now able to «ffer this celebrated
professional favorite direct to the trade.
years ago, because a study of the banjo's tonal
features had never been undertaken.
Super-Or pneum p/
"When we consider some of the queer sounds
This jreatly Improved Instrument meets the
needs of the professional and promises to add
employed in the orchestra, it seems unfortvfhate
to the reputation of an old name.
that banjo tones have been omitted all these
years, notwithstanding their penetrating qual-
This line is sold to only one dealer In a city
ities are in keeping with ensemble work. The
on tha exclusive arency basis with full pro-
tection. Some territory Is still open for the
full orchestra includes many instruments with
Paramount line. Write and w* will rladly
tones which are disagreeable when heard alone.
tell you if your territory is open.
The bassoon, for example, is positively gro-
Dealers: Write for Proposition I
tesque ; the oboe is wheezy and thin, while the
drum produces nothing but noise. By skilful
treatment these weird sounds are fitted into
A Post-card to
certain niches of the composition, so that all
the various tints and shadings needed in or-
chestra music are brought out with clearness
Established 27 Years
83 Newbury St.,
Boston, Mass.
and force. The banjo's position here being sev-
225 E. 24th St.
New York
eral degrees better than the experimental stage,
will
bring
them
an unequaled opportunity is at hand for the
WEYMANN
andohite
Answers
A Definite Demand
H.A.WEYMANN ft
Banjo's Progress Outstanding Feature
of the Present-Day Musical Development
the Lange
Banjo Lines
L
O
P a r a m o u n t & S
. "
Oettinger Products