MUSIC ON THE BRAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8159, 18 July 1906, Page 4

MUSIC ON THE BRAIN.

Ail old corned-beef tin does not sound altogether pronii.-ing as a baMS ior a mimical instrument. Yet an enterprising musician was recently seen ill tlie -truvts ol a largo town performing upon a fiddle winch lie had fashioned iiom the aforementioned articlo with the aid of a piece ot rough wood and tour catgut strings. This novel violin was played with a st.ck in the place ol a bow. The man wan evidently proud of his iugeuioua invention, and had made no attempt to disguise the materials used ;u its construction, for tho edge of the tin was jagged, as when first opened, and the label even had not been removed. He was wise in his generation, for the cleverness of the making of the instrument would be far more likely to bring him in coppers than the "music" he miglit produce from it. Another instance of an articlo in everyday use being turned into account ior the manufacture of a musical instrument is a banjo made from an ordinary cigar-box, with parchment stretched across, and a wooden handle. This was very ingeniously fashioned, the bridge and screws being in their propel placed, and the correct number ol strings used. An explorer tells the tale of a weird musical instrument which ho saw among the natives of tho West Indian Islands some little time ago. It was composed of a human skull cut in half, tho skin of an animal being tightly stretched across the upper part; to thi6 was fastened a human thigh-bone, from the top of which a singlo string of gut was drawn to the far side of tho skull. The method of playing this gruesome instrument was to beat tho drum part with a stick, and at the same time twang the solitary string, thus giving some crude resemblance to a banjo, and a drum. As an accompaniment to this, another native kept time by banging two large pieces of wood together. As can be easily ima"ined, this produces rather a doleful dirge. The fact that the explorer witnessed this upon several festive occasions shows that it was considered by the natives as perfectly serious music.

A few years ago, in a side show of a -country fair, a man was playing "tunes'" by hitting himself on the head with a small wooden mallet, and altering the sounds by the position of his tongue and cheeks, although this would bo rather painful for the ordinary person to do. Some idea of this way of producing different notes can be obtained by opening the mouth and hitting oneself sharply on the cheek with a pencil, when, as tho tongue, lips, and cheeks arc moved, different notes will be beard ,: ; inctly. The h -. . .s not the only part of the human frame that can be used for noteproducing, for by making a hollow of the two hands, and blowing into it, a clear note is heard, which can be easily altered by extending or closing tho hollow; and a much larger range of notes is possible by this method than that of hitting the cheeks, and, by practice, anyone can play simplo tunes in this way quite easily. High notes are produced when the palms are close together, and get deeper as they are extended. Also, by raising the fingers one by one a scale can be played.

Another impromptu musical instrument that is within everyone's reach to try is that of filling a number of tumblers or wineglasses with water at different height*, and then tap the glasses with a pencil, or with the fingers, when different note l ) will be heard, according to the height the water reaches.

A clever way of playing tunes was thought of "by a man who cut some smooth reeds of different lengths and -ituck thtiu firmly in the ground; then, with a pair of gloves which had been resined ho drew lik fingers rapidly down the reeds, which gave out a Hiparato note for each height from the ground.

So skilfully did he do this, and play many well-known airs—which, if a little harsh, were unmistakable—that lie reaped a goodly harvest of coppers f.. his novel music.

A BOON TO DAiBTMKN A bail has been patented by a Taraaati firm, which is far in advance of any other contrivance for sccuriug cows while being milked. It is operated from the back of the cow, and she can be bailed up or released with the greatest ease by even the smallest milker. Dairymen will find these bails are not only great time-savers, bat are reliable, easy to hi, and never get out of repair; in {act, can be fixed with little alteration in any shed in which old bails are at present in use. The articles supplied are: —2 screw pulleys 14ft of cord and ring, 1 iron ball; and the cost is only a few shillings. Messrs Robertson and Bond, of Liardet-street, New Plymouth, are the patentees and vendors. An illustrated leaflet, and all estimates or particulars, will be provided to enquirers free. The following letter jost received speaks volumes: —Messrs. Bobertson and Bond, New Plymouth, Dear Sirs, —I have pleasure in stating that the new cow bails yon supplied are giving every satisfaction. They are easy to fix, and effect a great saving of time. I firmly believe if they were used continually for twelve months they would more than save their first cost. I can confidently recommend them to all dairymen. Wishing you every success, I am, faithfully yours,—Bobist Cuxow, Omata, Taranaki

A little 0. T. PUNCH, In a little water hot; A sound refreshing sleep, Yea, that is what I got.

For reliable boots and snoes ot all sorts at bedrock prices go to Dockrill's Devon Street Central, who has earned the reputation for the last 25 years of selling the above class of boots at the lowest prices. Postal orders always receive extra attention, as I guarantee o give every satisfaction in fit and style.—A dvt

Out on the deep the storm blew wild, But the man at the wheel siood firm. He swallowed some 0. T. PUNCH and amilcd, For the cold couldn't make him squirm.

Now that we've had a taste of the real thing in winter weather, ynu can. not surely afford to go away longer without a warm top coat. Just drop in at the Melbourne Clothing Store, and your sure tG see a stylish one you'll like, and one that'll like your pocket too. Prices 27s 6d, 29« 6d, to 38s 6d. —Advi Men don i taJt ot clothes as much as women do, perhaps; but, all the same, every man who buys one of the Melbourne C'lutbnig Company's Oils lid suits tells Ins friends what Rood stuff there's iu it, ln.w well it it tits, and where lie bought it. These suits are uot equalled elsewhere at 75s.—Advi.

A dainty little lunch, With a glass of U. T. PUNCH, Is the acme of perfection, No fear of contradiction.