Music Trade Review

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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
THE PLAYER SITUATION FOR THE NEW YEAR.
Placed in a Position of Prominence and Reliability Says Jacob Heyl, President of the Chase &
Baker Co. Who Is Interviewed by The Review—The Position Won by the Pneumatic Player
—The Introduction of the 88-Note or Full Compass Player—The Percentage of Compositions
Which May be Used with the 65-Note Range—The Position of the Low Priced Player—The
Position of the Dealer in Relation to the Piayer—The Necessity of Keeping the Player in
Order—The Interests of the Manufacturer and Distributer Interestingly Discussed.
It is generally admitted by those who are
posted on the player situation that the present
year will be one of large activity in that special
department of the music trade. The importance
which piano-player mechanism occupies to-day
in its relation to the piano is generally admitted.
Therefore, the utterances of men who are
closely identified with the trade and who have
studied it in its various ramifications will be
found interesting.
Jacob Heyl, president of the Chase & Baker
Co., Buffalo, N. Y., is a man who makes a close
analysis of everything which enters into the
player situation of to-day. He is a close stu-
dent of the trend of events, and his utterances
uv.on the player situation for the new year are
worthy close consideration.
In reply to our query regarding the player
situation Mr. Heyl said:
"The developments of the year 1909 more than
of any other have contrived to secure for the
pneumatic player a recognition which fixed it
firmly and irrevocably in public estimation. The
adoption of the 88-note or full compass standard
at the close of the preceding year was undoubt-
edly the determining factor in establishing the
prestige of that type of player as the acme of
achievement and as the final word in player
construction, completing the evolution up to that
point.
"With the acceptance of the standard and the
removal of the uncertainty and indecision here-
tofore prevailing it was at once placed on a
footing of permanence and stability, with
definite aims to work for and precise problems
to solve. No longer considered an experiment,
which the spasmodic efforts of previous en-
deavors to introduction must be termed, the
inventors and designers set to work determined-
ly to eradicate what defects had developed and
ameliorate whatever crudities were still at-
tached, with the result that the end of the year
1909 found a number of players on the market
which, for general efficiency and mechanical per-
fection, left little to be desired.
Pneumatic Player Reaches Its Zenith.
"It may be stated without fear of contradic-
tion that the pneumatic player of the better
class has at the present time reached its zenith
of possible physical development.
Whatever
new features will be introduced in future will
be mainly along the lines of refinement, simplifi-
cation and economy, or else a radical departure
from fundamental principles now employed.
"With its validity .as a vehicle of interpreta-
tion firmly and incontrovertibly established, it
is safe to assume that, with the progressive ten-
dency in the elevation of our standard of liv-
ing and the trend of modern civilization toward
labor saving conveniences, the continuance of a
steady advance in the demand in proportion to
the increase of material and intellectual pros-
perity and affluence seems to be well assured.
Full Compass Player Eclipses 65-Note Player.
"In how much the 65-note player will share
in this demand is largely a question of con-
jecture.
"By the extensive introduction of the full
compass instrument it would seem however that
its mission has been fulfilled and that by reason
of its own limitations it is doomed to relegation
lo a position of but secondary consideration.
As a stepping-stone for the higher development
it has served an admirable purpose, and while
there is still a large field of usefulness for it, it
is debatable whether its continuance, except for
reasons of economy or policy, is warranted,
since the full compass player has assumed its
place and functions completely and extensively.
"Inferentially this leads to the deduction that
Lhe output of the future will consist almost ex-
to be taken in consideration it would seem that
the substantially built instrument of good and
lasting quality at a compensating price would
be the instrument which will enjoy greatest
popularity and the demand of discriminating
buyers.
It's Up to the Dealer.
"But it is to the dealer more than to anybody
else that, we shall have to look for the success-
clusively of players of the latter type as afford- ful introduction of the player on a com-
ing the most convenient means for the correct mensurate scale with its importance. He must
interpretation of every composition for the recognize that the player and its appurtenances
are equally as prolific a source of income and
piano without limit as to range.
gain as the piano and its accessories, and that
How Player Music Is Affected.
in order to cope with the situation competently
"What hoids good for the player holds equally
he must needs qualify himself thoroughly upon
good lor the music sheet used in connection
the entire subject matter pertaining to players
therewith.
coming under his direction.
"A careful examination of about 5,000 piano
"So long as the dealer himself is not thorough-
compositions and miscellaneous character has re- ly conversant with the possibilities of the
vealed the fact that less than 33 per cent of
player, its functions, its manipulation and the
them come within the 65-note range. Modern
proper care of it when it gets out of adjust-
compositions of the higher class almost without ment, so long can it not be expected that the
exception exceed this range, and as the afore
public in general will take any enthusiastic in-
mentioned compilation includes nearly all the terest in a proposition upon which the inter-
old classics it is but a reasonable presumption
mediary himself is either lukewarm or, worse
that this percentage will rather be reduced than to "say, ignorant.
increased as time progresses and new works are
Knowledge of the Instrument Necessary.
published.
"The better players of the present day are
"The 65-note player cannot play music exceed- comparatively free from derangement, but like
ing that range without rearrangement.
any finely balanced and, by the very nature of
"The full compass player on the other hand its functions, intricate mechanism requires con-
can play all music as it is written for the piano siderate manipulation and occasional readjust-
without the necessity of alteration or rearrange
ment to retain every part in that perfect work-
ment and its attendant liability of marring, if
ing order which is essential to its highest
not destroying the finest musical effects intended
efficiency.
by the composer.
"Its requirements demand utmost sensitive-
Why the Combination Tracker?
ness, to preserve which a certain care is requi-
"Why, in view of these facts, the combination site. Any slight disorder, which is the only
tracker should be given countenance is more kind liable to occur except in case of gross care-
than an average intelligence can comprehend. lessness or deliberate interference, the dealer or
If the 65-note player is inadequate and the 65
his subordinate should be qualified to attend to
note music roll incorrect, except when within intelligently and effectually. This will prevent
range, it is difficult to see the logic in the argu- dissatisfaction and secure the good will and con-
ment. It is hardly to be assumed that a person sequent loyal support of the customer.
nowadays would buy an instrument of the latest
Loyal Co-operation Necessary.
and most advanced type and deliberately use in
"The solidarity of interest demands loyal co-
connection therewith accessories or substitutes operation between manufacturer and distributer
which have been declared faulty, or at least in- as well as a due regard for the demands of the
adequate. With equal propriety may it be as- purchaser to exploit this branch of the industry
sumed that a man would build a house of the to its fullest limit. The prelusive requisites are
most modern construction with all the latest already given in the present state of our na-
equipments and furnish it with a lot of ill- tional economics, the underlying conditions of
fitting, antiquated and inconvenient furniture. which are such as to presage an era of unpar-
"The argument of economical considerations alleled prosperity.
is essentially lacking in plausibility, as the al-
"The innate desire of every human being to
leged paucity of the requisite music has been produce music in one form or other and the pos-
substantially overcome by this time with the sibility to satisfy this propensity by means of
efforts of the manufacturers of that commodity the player irrespective of any physical or educa-
concentrated upon a steady expansion of their tional limitations, assures the future of the
respective catalogs.
player beyond peradventure, notably if the ap-
Which Class of Players W i l l Be Popular?
plication of inventive ingenuity and commercial
"The question as to which class of players ability should succeed in evolving a product
will enjoy greatest popularity in the ensuing which can be made accessible to the great middle
year is a problem which has given both the class of our population at a moderate considera-
manufacturer and the dealer a great deal of con- tion."
cern, but which time and the experience of the
market alone will solve.
BIG PROTESTj\GAINST TAX.
"There can be no doubt that the low-priced
Country's
Commercial Bodies Take Action
player would do much toward popularizing the
Against New Corporation Law.
instrument in general, but it seems that the sub-
ject is rather a ticklish one, which must be
(Special to The Review.)
handled with caution.
Chicago, 111., Jan. 17, 1910.
"To cheapen the player at the expense of
Resolutions of protest against the Federal cor-
efficiency and durability would appear to be a
poration tax law were voted and a campaign to
mistaken and suicidal policy. It is still con-
force its repeal was outlined by a convention of
sidered a luxury and the people are willing to
nearly 300 delegates from sixty commercial and
pay for it as such, but demand a certain quality.
industrial organizations throughout the country,
"It is extremely doubtful whether it can be
which met here on Friday.
brought down to a point of cost low enough to
The conference was held under the auspices
make it accessible to the great masses, and even
of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, and
if it could it would have to be on such sub-
was intended to launch a national protest.
stantial basis as to give the purchaser a fair
return for his money, which would mean pro- Special objection was voiced against the phase
longed service, since even a comparatively low of the law which lays open the books of corpora-
price would preclude an exchange at frequent tions as public records.
Personal appeals will be made to every Con-
intervals from that class of patrons. In fact
gressman and to President Taft.
the 'modern way of buying on installments
The committee is authorized to begin suit and
would necessarily presuppose a certain solidity
take the matter to the Supreme Court.
of the player to outlast the period of payment.
"While an ultimate reduction in cost will have
Retail
trade
in New York
is improving.