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THE: MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
11
tion that a controversy, quite remarkable in its
keenness, has been carried on recently in the
columns of an esteemed contemporary. The
eminent tuners who have contributed to this
discussion, and whose published work shows most
Conducted and Edited by Win. B. White.
of them to possess uncommon scientific talent, are,
I am publishing this week the following letter
I also have to acknowledge receipt of letters nevertheless, most grossly in variance in regard
from a correspondent at Norfolk, Va. For obvi- from Messrs. C. R. Linn, of Anderson, Ind., and to their premises upon which they severally
ous reasons it will be better to omit my cor- C. R. Lake, of Keene, N. H., both of which I refer base their arguments, while exhibiting a sub-
respondent's name, but his communication is to my recent remarks on country locations for stantial agreement as to the conclusions there-
interesting, because it shows, along with others tuners. It is with regret that I am obliged to from deduced.
to be mentioned later, that more than passing inform these gentlemen, in common with my
After such an introduction it hardly seems
attention was paid to my recent remarks regard- English correspondent, that the city which I had necessary to say that the eminent gentlemen in
ing the best field for the exploitation by a tuner in mind has been located by a good tuner from question have been quarreling over the principles
of his skill and ability. As will be noted, the New York, who obtained early information on and practice of piano tuning. Now the very fact
writer of this letter has but recently come to the the subject from me. I happened to mention the that they are always substantially in agreement
United States from England, where he seems to matter to him in a casual manner before it had as to the conclusions that they draw from exces-
occurred to me to speak of it in this department.
have had considerable experience:
sively dissimilar premises, would seem to argue
My friend took the matter up without delay and
"Editor, Technical Department, The Review.
considerable confusion of thought either as to
"Dear Sir—Being very much interested in your located himself instanter. However, my facili- the significance of the former or their logical
articles in The Music Trade Review and possess- ties for looking up his kind of business are ex- consequences. It is really remarkable that there
ing one of your books (the first to my knowledge cellent, and I am always ready to put at the com- seems to be so little real agreement as to the
that has ever been published), I notice this week mand of a correspondent any information I may principles of application of the equal tempera-
you refer to a field that lays open to a good, all- happen to possess regarding promising locations. ment, especially when we consider how very sim-
round man. I should be very glad if you would In this regard, however, I would like to say that ple a thing it really is, if only we take the
let me knpw the name of the city. I came to this the department cannot go into the business of trouble to look at it clearly and understandingly.
country from England some time ago, convinced finding locations for any and every casual cor- My own work on the subject, clear and logical
that there is a much wider field here for the respondent who may happen to inquire. It as I thought it to be, has been learnedly and vio-
intelligent, energetic enthusiast, and have only would be most improper to recommend places to lently attacked by gentlemen whose writings
been in this city three months. While finding a tuners and help them without knowing something prove some, at least, of them to be suffering
certain amount to do, I am unable so far to get of their fitness for the tasks required of them. from severe attacks of mental fog. Considera-
a fair living, and consequently I am still on the Any tuner who may wish to find a new field and tions such as these impel me to the determina-
lookout for the right spot. I can do all kinds of who can show some satisfactory evidence of his tion again to take up the subject and to lay
repairs, having my diploma for such, as well as ability is welcome to any assistance that I can down once more what I consider to be the clear
give him.
for tuning, and have some knowledge of piano
guiding principles of the art of tuning. In the
players. I can also tune and repair pipe organs.
near future I purpose to attack the subject again
Therefore, if I could hit on the place where such
"Dear Sir—In your paper of June 8 you speak in a full and comprehensive manner. The an-
would be appreciated, I should, as you say, have of felt wedges for the temperament. I will con- nouncement will be made later.
every reason to be contented. I purpose fetching fess that I am nothing but a beginner and have
my family here in the autumn, and should cer- graduated from a trade school a short time ago.
Communications for the department should be
tainly like to feel more settled by then. Being In this school I was given thirteen rubber wedges addressed to the Editor, Technical Department,
over forty years of age I consider I have experi- to insert all at ome so as to give a free middle The Music Trade Review.
ence (so often overlooked by employers); I am string in each group. The wedges measure
also of temperate' habits and very active. I do 2 % x % x l 7 / 6 4 inches one end and 1/32-inch a t
FREIGHT CONGESTION AT END.
not fear that success will eventually come my the sharp end. Tho first time I applied them they
way when once I get into the right groove. I fell out and down and caused great trouble when Longshoremen's Strike Interfered With Prompt
really came to the United States with the idea falling behind and between the hammer stems,
Snipments of Pianos—End of Trouble Mon-
of a branch management, having had fifteen but in my very small experience I have had no
day Causes Much Relief.
years' experience as such. I much prefer the further trouble with them. I can put them all in
The strike of the longshoremen is over and
country towns to the large cities, and I can see in about one-quarter of a minute, and have each
piano
manufacturers are now able to make
that there is far more opportunity in the South middle string absolutely clear, and I can pound
and West away from the large manufacturing the strings for a week if I wish; they never fall. prompt shipments for the home market and for
cities. I should much like to see some articles In the treble I have used the stick wedge, with export. For a month or more the railroad and
on the piano player and pianola. Many would, no trouble of any kind. I wish to ask you a steamship companies have refused to accept
I'm sure, much appreciate such, as doubtless the question, if you permit. Is there any reed or freight and this caused much inconvenience and
former is the coming thing. Thanking you in pipe organ made with construction and mechan- monetary loss to both the manufacturer and re-
anticipation, yours very truly,
ism suitable to allow the semi-tone of the in- tailer. Certain shipments of pianos were de-
"L. H. C, Norfolk, Va."
tervals to appear in playing, regardless of major layed a week or more on account of the conges-
or minor scales, treble or bass, fast or sacred tion of freight at the piers, and export orders
have been held up for over two weeks. On Mon-
This letter certainly deserves a careful answer, music? Respectfully,
day the embargo was lifted and the manufac-
"TORKILD SOLBEBG, Waterloo, la."
and I hope that any reader who can give better
turers
are greatly pleased.
The practice of using thirteen felt or rubber
counsel than myself to this gentleman will not
hesitate to do so. I would like to say that our wedges for assisting the tuner in laying the
English colleague is likely to have considerable bearings has considerable advantages, especially
trouble in locating and holding an independent for the beginner. I would recommend some such
practice until he has had a little more practical device to all who find it necessary frequently to
experience on American pianos. There is so correct their work in the course of adjusting the
much difference in detail between the instru- tempered sounds of the first octave. The con-
ments of all grades made in the two countries tinuous felt wedge, however, suffers from the
that it is really very difficult to go directly from disadvantage of insecurity, being liable to fall
one to the other without preliminary experience. out of place whenever a hard test blow is struck,
are conscientiously made, good
With all due respect for my correspondent's abili- and I therefore do not approve of its use. I really
instruments;
in other words the
ties, I would feel inclined to suggest that he first do not know just what my correspondent means
sweetest things out.
secure a position in one of the warerooms in his by "mechanism suitable to allow the semi-tone
own. or some other city and put in about a year of the intervals to appear in playing." If he
of conscientious work there. At the end of that refers to enharmonic tones, and to mechanisms
time he will have become acquainted, not only for permitting them to be heard at their exact
with the American piano, but with the technical pitch in different tonalities, I can answer his
terminology in vogue here, and with the general question in the affirmative, although the devices
practice of the art as peculiar to America; then in question have never been used commercially.
he will have far less difficulty. Regarding the Otherwise I am reduced to the necessity of ask-
RUDOLF PIANO CO.
inquiry as to the piano player, I would say that ing for further and more definite information.
I shall have an announcement to make on this
M8 B. 144tfc Street,
NEW YORK.
subject later.
It has been a matter for interesting observa-
RUDOLF
PIANOS
m
POOLE
PlflNOS
Appeal to cultivated tastes. They are
marvels of beauty and form at once a
valuable accessory to any piano store
5 and 7 APPLETON STREET, BOSTON, MASS,