Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1911 Vol. 53 N. 21

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
PHYSICAL LAWS OF PNEUMATIC ACTION.
REVIEW
further function of this "bleed-hole," ancillary to
that of exhausting the air-duct in the first instance,
is to cause the pressure of air within, the duct to
Brief and Non-Technical Discussion of the Physical Laws and Principles That Underlie the
be reduced again rapidly when the reverse process
Operation of Pneumatic Piano-Playing Mechanisms—A Statement of Fact That Should
takes place, as described immediately following.)
Interest Everyone Connected with the Manufacturing and Selling of Player-Pianos.
Now, suppose the pneumatic "collapsed," and
the corresponding hammer of the piano thrown
CONCLUDING ARTICLE.
against the string, with the result of some ap-
In the first article of the present series we dis- and the second disc closing the exhaust che:' propriate tone being made to sound. After some
cussed the broad physical laws of the pneumatic passage.
interval, depending upon the length of the per-
mechanism so far as these might be applied tc
Now, it will also be observed that, so long as the foration in the paper sheet and the latter's speed of
the cases presented by pressure-reducing apparatus pressure of air is reduced in the exhaust chest, the travel, the paper will have advanced until that
(bellows) and striking pneumatics. But we atmospheric external air will press down on the perforation comes to an end. As soon as this hap-
stopped our investigation at an important point, head of the first disc, and hold it so that the pas- pens, the air-duct is once more sealed. The small
which must now be considered with _some care. sage to the exhaust chest, covered by the second communicating passage (bleed-hole) between the
Although we discussed the simple case of one disc, is kept shut very tightly. And it is neces- end of the air-duct and the exhaust chest affords
pneumatic controlled by one simple bellows-set, sary therefore to provide means whereby the pouch instant means for the air in the duct to rush into
we did not, in the last article, undertake to con- under the two discs and their spindle may be the exhaust chest, as above described in the case
sider the case of many pneumatics which must be caused to move up or forward, as the case may of the pneumatic. As soon as this happens, the
controlled according to some predetermined plan. be, to change the position of the discs and open force which has been holding the pouch against
This we shall now do.
the pneumatic to the influence of the exhaust chest, the external pressure on the outer disc of the
Inasmuch as the co-ordination of the piano ac- whole closing it from that of the external air.
valve ceases to be operative. At once, then, this
This is done through the tracker-bar. In this, external pressure on the outer disc pushes the
tion and the pneumatic mechanism in a player-
piano is directly affected through the medium of we all know, there is a series of air-ducts, and as latter back or down, so that the inner disc is
the striking pneumatics which have already been we also know, a moving shee.t of paper passes brought into its original position, shutting off the
described, it follows that some means must be over this bar. Now, if we suppose that each of passage between the exhaust chest and the pneu-
devised for controlling these, to the end that they the air-ducts leads down below or behind the matic. At the same time, of course, the outer
may be brought into operation—that is to say, pouch, of which we have been speaking, and if we disc is pushed down so that it opens up the pass-
caused to "collapse" in the manner before explain- also suppose that a passage-way of some kind age between the open air and the pneumatic. Obey-
ed—according to predetermined arrangements. The (very small of course) is made between the bot- ing the before-mentioned principle of its energy,
manner of bringing about this control of the pneu- tom of the pouch and the exhaust chest, it fol- the outer air at once rushes into the pneumatic un-
matics furnishes a very interesting instance of lows that, if the sheet of paper be stretched over til the balance of pressures, inside and out, is re-
the tracker-bar the openings of the ducts in the stored. The spring at the hinge of the pneumatic
applied science.
Imagine that a series of pneumatics, eighty-eight bar will be sealed, and any air that is in them then forces the movable wall away from the fixed
in number, are placed in such a position that each will be subjected to reduction in pressure; since wall, and the pneumatic is opened once more, re-
one of them may easily be brought into co-action the ducts lead to the bottom of the pouches and leasing the hammer and putting a stop, through
with a hammer-section of the piano. Imagine fur- these are connected with the exhaust chest. Hence, the damper, to the vibrations of the strings.
ther that each of these pneumatics is provided it is plain that there will be air of a reduced pres-
If we add to this description the further note
with an orifice, and that this orifice is directly sure in the ducts and under the pouches. Hence, that many pneumatic mechanisms contain an ex-
connected, by means of some sort of closed pas- again, the external pressure of the air against the tra valve, the function of which is merely to act as
sage, with the main action-box (or "exhaust-chest" outer discs of the valves will keep these seated. an intermediary between the air-duct of the track-
as it is called), the functions of which, in its sim- Hence, again, the pneumatics will be free from any er-bar and the valve which actually operates upon
interference with the pressure of the air within the pneumatic, we shall have described every type
plest form, we have already discussed.
Now, plainly, if such a series of pneumatics be them, no matter what may be the condition of of pneumatic striking mechanism. This intermedi-
so connected with such an "exhaust-box," and 'f the air in the exhaust chest as regards pressure.
ary valve is operated by the air rushing down the
Suppose now that, as the paper sheet travels air-duct from the tracker. By the pouch's conse-
the latter be then subjected to the influence of
the pressure-reducing apparatus or bellows-set, over the tracker-bar, a perforation in it comes op- quent movement a button is lifted which has been
the pressure of the atmosphere in each and every posite one of the air-ducts in the bar. By hy- held down by external atmospheric pressure, so
pneumatic will be reduced likewise, until each and pothesis, the external air will find itself admitted that air flows into a second duct and under the
every pneumatic has its movable leaf or wall at once to a duct in which the air pressure has pouch of the pneumatic-operating valve. When
forced in towards the immovable part (or, as we been reduced. Naturally, then, this external air two such valves are used, the one nearest the air-
say, is forced to "collapse") by the pressure of will force its way into the duct and so down un- duct of the tracker is called the "primary" and that
the normal external atmospheric air. Hence, every der the pouch, all the time meeting with but slight which co-acts with the pneumatic is called the "sec-
pneumatic will simultaneously "collapse" and every resistance. And since the air both below and im- ondary."
hammer of the piano will be simultaneously thrown mediately above the pouch (remember that the
We may add further that the operation of mo-
upper or disc side of the pouch is actually in the I'ors for pneumatic actions is brought about by
against its corresponding strings.
The problem, naturally, is to arrange things so exhaust chest) is reduced in pressure, the external precisely similar means to those described above.
that only those pneumatics will collapse at any air, rushing down under it, will lift it upwards Slide-valves alternately reduce the internal pres-
given moment which are required to operate ham- or push it forward, as the case may be. The force sure of the air in the motor units, and restore it
mers corresponding to tones required for the ren- of this air will be sufficient, if the duct and pouch by opening communication again with the a'mos-
dition of some given piece of music. In order to be well designed, to overcome the weight of the phere.
do this, the same force of external over internal external air on the outer disc, and thus the pouch
The various types of "governor," which are
air pressure is brought into operation. The gen- will move, the spindle will move also in obedi- placed in the bellows-sets of many pneumatic
ence, and the outer disc will close the open air mechanisms for the purpose of maintaining the
eral outline of the process is as follows :
Each pneumatic has its passage way into the from the pneumatic, while the inner disc will open partial vacuum at a steady reduced pressure, and
exhaust chest closed by means of a pair of discs the passage between the pneumatic and the exhaust eliminating fluctuation in the excess of external
on a spindle, which in turn may be moved back chest. Hence the pneumatic will "collapse." Why? over internal pressure, are merely small "equal-
Since it is the property of all gaseous matter izers" of the same type as the large units described
and forth or up and down (according to the posi-
tion.of the passage way) through the motions of completely to fill all spaces in*o which it may be urder that name in the first of these two articles.
a light leather pouch. When in one position one placed, and since the air in the pneumatic, at the
Such are the fundamental physical laws, and the
of the discs closes the passage way between the time of the movements above described, is at or- application thereof, known to the art of pneumatic
pneumatic and the exhaust chest, so that the pres- dinary atmospheric pressure, while the air in the action design.
sure reduction which is all the time going on in the exhaust chest is reduced in pressure, and since the
latter may not affect the pneumatic. When the two are now in communication with each other,
IMPROVED MUSIC ROLL HOLDER.
first is in this "shut" position, the other disc al- it follows that the air in the pneumatic will rush
lows a communicating orifice or passage between into the exhaust chest. For air moves freely in
An improved music roll holder for automatic
the pneumatic and the external air to remain open. all directions, and air at a high pressure will, by musical instrument players is the subject of patent
When, on the other hand, the pouch under the reason Of that pressure, push out of its way air No. 1,008,440 just granted to Irving B. Smith of
discs is caused to move up or forward, the pas- at a low pressure. Hence the air in the pneumatic Philadelphia and assigned to the Electrelle Co.
sage way to the external air is closed from the will rush into the exhaust chest, until the pres- This inven'ion is particularly adapted to support
pneumatic by one disc, while the passage way to sure in the pneumatic is so much reduced that the music roll and take-up roll in co eiperative re-
the exhaust chest is opened by the other disc. The the external air pressing on its outer surface will lation to the roll actuating means and correlated
two discs, it will be observed, move on the one overcome the resistance of the movable wall; whicli mechanism. It has for its object to provide a mu-
spindle, and move as the latter moves. When the latter will then move upwards or downwards, a
sic roll holder capable of combining means for
spindle is moved forward, let us say, one disc the case may be, towards the fixed wall. Thus the controlling and regulating the operation of the
is closing one passage and the other is opening pneumatic will "collapse."
music roll and take-up roll and the devices for ro-
(It may be noted that the communicating smal' tating the latter, so associated that comple'e con-
the other passage. When the spindle is moved
back, the first disc is opening the open air passage passage between the pouch of the valve and the trol of the instrumentalities is had by the use of
air-duct is what is known as the "bleed-hole." A a minimum of operating levers.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
6
THE
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage ), United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3.50; all other coun-
tries, $4.00.
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramercy
Connecting all Departments
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25, 1911
Thanksgiving is with us once more. On this
present occasion the Editor of the Player Section
of this newspaper institution feels it his duty to
pay more than conventional attention to the idea
of Thanksgiving. Not alone for the manifold
blessings which have encompassed us all during the
past year, not alone for the turn of the business
tide which has brought us once more within sight
of prosperity and healthy economic conditions;
though these are all appropriate reasons for giving
thanks. But there are other reasons which, so far
as this Player Section is concerned, seem even
more definite and apposite. For it is just a year
since the first of these monthly additions to The
Music Trade Review was launched. When the
Editor of The Review announced his intention of
putting forth a specialized effort every month in
the interests of the player trade, and entrusted the
carrying out of this work to the hands which have
since had charge of it, he laid down as first of its
principles the idea of service. And in so doing,
he pointed out that the need was great for a con-
centrated effort towards giving the piano trade a
comprehensive view of the player situation, and
of remembering at all times the fact that the future
of the piano trade would be wound up inseparably
with the pneumatic mechanism. These facts, and
the implications necessarily arising therefrom, were
to be the bases of the new venture. And they have
so remained.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
into which The Player Section is divided have been
designed with the sole view of covering adequate
ly the very large field presented to them. For there
are indeed many sides to this player business of
ours. First, there is the big side of construction,
of mechanical design. To this we have paid care-
ful and accurate attention.
Then there is the
equally large, but not equally well understood, mu-
sical side. This again we have been from the first
careful to illustrate, describe and elucidate in a
manner both interesting and truthful. Our musi-
cal articles, written from the standpoint of the
player-piano seller and buyer, have been, we be
lieve, not a little valuable and useful. And we
might add that they have been altogether unique
as products of a trade newspaper; merely another
illustration of the policy of service to which The
Review stands committed.
Then, last, but not least, there is the great and
indispensable department of sales. Ultimately, the
retail end of the business furnishes the crux of
the situation. There is no particular sense in mak-
ing a very fine and ingenious thing at great ex-
pense, if you cannot profitably sell it. And the
precise trouble with this player game of ours has
been that exactly this selling game is the neglect-
ed thing; not alone neglected, but, what is worse,
misapprehended. Ignorance of the player as a sell-
ing proposition, indifference as to the necessity for
acquiring a well-informed knowledge of it, have
been at the bottom of nearly all the troubles where-
with the retail end of the game has been afflicted.
And it has been the continual care of The Re-
view, through its Player Section, to consider this
matter, to seek remedies for evils of it, and to
give its best care and attention towards a proper
treatment of it. Hence, the many articles on sell-
ing problems, hence the continual effort to instruct
salesmen in the details of player exploitation. All
these things have been seen in their appropriate
perspective, and so have been duly and well at-
tended to..
For the opportunity that has come to us to do
these things, for the chance that has been given
us to produce worthy work, for the prosperity that
has attended these efforts; for all these, as for
manifold blessings of all sorts that have come dur-
ing the year we record our humble and sincere
thanks.
We may be pardoned for suggesting that in the
course of the year during which The Player Sec-
tion of The Review has been regularly issued, we
have successfully kept in mind the basic ideas up-
We have a letter from a Review subscriber in
on which the original effort was made. And we which, briefly stated, he complains that many mu-
may further be pardoned for saying that we have sic rolls of popular compositions, particularly ex-
remained, as we began, quite alone in this particu- tracts from comic operas, are over-elaborated and
lar line. There is only one Player Section in any orchestrated—that it is therefore impossible to put
piano trade newspaper.
It has always been expression into the music, for when using these
the proud, and not unjust, b<5ast of The Review rolls the player-pianist is merely an automaton,
that it is a pioneer. It is true that those who first "just feeding the machine which grinds out mu-
take up the burden of new and untried ideas have sic. While it is true, as our correspondent remarks,
much to make their way hard and the path before. that the arrangements of considerable of the popu-
them dark. The ways of ease are not theirs. But lar music are elaborated, perhaps, too much so, yet
the reward of good service is the knowledge that a fair percentage of the users of player-pianos
one has rendered it. And after all, this is big rather like this enriched orchestration. With the
enough reward.
player roll manufacturers it is a matter of supply
and demand. Some have found from experience
But it is not to be supposed that the inaugura- that if the music of these popular songs or ex-
tion of its new policy of special attention to the tracts from the light operas are cut exactly from
important player business has been merely a "suc- the original score, they are too "bald" and most
ces d'estime." On the contrary, it is pleasant to uninteresting to many.
be able to say that the trade has very highly ap-
Oftentimes this elaboration of the music detracts
preciated the work we have been doing and has from the value of the composition, and it is of this,
voiced that appreciation in no uncertain terms. we are sure, that our correspondent complains.
The whole trade, through its most eminent repre- The real musicians who merely use the player-piano
sentatives, has been quick to respond to the strong as a technic means do not look with favor on this
efforts that The Review has put forth in the di- editing of music rolls. They are among the rap-
rection of illuminating and lightening the paths of idly increasing army of player-pianists who desire
those who would acquire player knowledge. And all kinds of music, both popular and classical, cut
this leads us to remark that the original design and played according to the composer's intentions.
of this Player Section, so far as its general out-
On the other hand there are a large number of
lines are conceraed, has been found to commend people who like to have music rolls "served up"
itself most, strongly to all whose opinions are wor- to them in as rich orchestral dress as possible.
thy of attention. That design was not produced These people may be unmusical, but they are among
originally without careful consideration of the facts the buyers and users of music rolls, and they must
in the case. That it has proved adequate is there- be considered by the manufacturer and the dealer.
fore a matter for congratulation.
It is difficult at any time to get unanimity of
views regarding what is right and wrong. The
Carrying on the thought, we would call atten- old saying has it, "What is one man's meat is an-
tion to the fact that the various sub-departments other man's poison," and the player music field
is no exception to the wide variance of opinion
that prevails whether the domain be art or com-
merce.
There are some manufacturers of music rolls
who cater to the musical desires of particular
player-pianists, and we feel sure it will not be dif-
ficult for our correspondent to secure rolls of the
light operas of popular numbers that are free
from the over-elaboration of which he complains.
Our correspondent further emphasizes that the
popular music should be merely an educational
means to a higher attainment in musical knowl-
edge—a love for the compositions of the great
masters—and in this connection he aptly says:
"The average player-pianist has a pretty good
idea of how these popular pieces ought to sound,
and he could put his ideas into execution if the
rolls were properly cut, and would learn more
and more how to get the various effects and how
to read the rolls and would gradually advance to
the better class of music, and be able to play it
intelligently, and his interest and enthusiasm would
continue and spread to others."
PLAYERS SHOULDJBE EMPHASIZED.
Paul B. Klugh Says the Salesmen Should Im-
press Upon Callers the Advantage of the
Player-Piano—Will Aid the Business.
Paul B. Klugh, head of the player department
of the Cable Company, was in New York early this
week.
While discussing player matters with The Review
Mr. Klugh said: "In order to achieve the best
results in the player field it is necessary that a
fuller appreciation of the advantages of the player-
piano as an educational and instructive force be
impressed upon the dealers and salesmen of this
country.
"While substantial advances have been made dur-
ing the past few years, yet all business men concede
that the increase in total output of player-pianos
has not been as rapid as indications seemed to
promise a few years ago. When we consider the
tremendous energy placed upon creating and mar-
keting player-pianos by the manufacturing end, it
would seem as if the percentage of increase as
compared with regular pianos should have been
larger; but too frequently when callers come into
piano warerooms salesmen do not impress upon
them the advantage of player-pianos; and when
you figure that there arc thousands of salesmen
who do not emphasize the advantages of the player-
piano over the regular piano, it will be seen at
once that a tremendous force is lost in player
development."
IMPROVED SHEET-ADJUSTING DEVICE.
Frank Lynde of New York was this week grant-
ed patent No. 1,008,976 on a sheet-adjusting device
for mechanical musical instruments.
This invention has for its object to provide im-
proved devices for effecting lateral adjustment of
the perforated music sheet of a mechanical musi-
cal instrument to preserve the registry of its per-
forations with the ducts of the tracker board. One
purpose in view is to make the sheet-adjusting
devices very sensitive, so that they will respond
quickly to very slight shifts of the music sheet
out of proper position; another purpose is to re-
duce to a minimum the wear upon the edge of the
music sheet in the operation of the sheet-adjust-
ing devices; and another purpose is to permit the
music sheet to be freed from contact with the sheet-
adjusting devices during the rewind.
AN IMPROVED FOLDING PEDAL.
The Auto Pneumatic Action Co., of New York,
through assignment from Thomas Danquard, were
this week granted patent No. 1,008,310 on an im-
proved folding pedal which is particulaily adapted
for use in connection with piano, organ, or player
cases, and the principal objects are to provide a
simple and convenient construction which can be
folded into the case in a very small compass, and
especially to provide for folding the parts into the
case of a pneumatic player piano or the like in front
of the pumps or feeders.

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