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REVIEW
THE
V O L . LI V . N o . 19. Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill at 373 Fourth Ave., New York, May 11,1912
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Some Thoughts on the Player Situation
W
HILE general trade is not buoyant and regular piano business is suffering somewhat, there is
unusual activity in the player-piano field; and it would seem, from a careful survey of the situ-
ation, that 1912 is going to be a year quite remarkable in player history..
It would not be surprising if the number of player-pianos put forth during the present
year should double the output of 1911, for look where you will the player is in evidence more than ever.
At every turn the advertisements of dealers—their windows and the contents of their warerooms—bear
eloquent witness to the irresistible force of the player-piano. The records of some manufacturers show a de-
crease in the output of regular stock during the first four months of 1912, but they have more than made up
that deficit by an increase in player-pianos.
Yes, the player-piano is here and here to stay. I believe a much stronger movement will be noticed in
the trend towards player-pianos during the next few years than it has in the past, for the amount of capital
invested in the production of players—the advertising—the number of instruments put forth every day, it
seems to me will materially stimulate interest on the part of the public and their acceptance of the player as a
strong factor in our modern musical life.
But it takes time and convincing talk, for the American people do not grasp eagerly at new inventions
or innovations.
It requires time—and energy—and force—and skill to set the people thinking the right way and to ac-
cept inventions as necessary fixtures in our modern lives.
The player has been a long time coming into its own, but it is making rapid strides to-day, and it is
quite time that the piano men and piano salesmen who have hitherto neglected this subject should hasten to
become more intimately acquainted with the new and powerful force, which is steadily rising into a com-
manding position.
The player is a musical force that has hardly been sufficiently recognized.
Consider for a moment that it places within the hands of any music lover the power of exploring the
whole mass of piano literature, to say nothing of the even greater list of compositions written for other in-
struments and which can be arranged for the piano.
The player introduces a force into the usually slow work of music education which is greater in its
power than any other which has ever been conceived.
Can it be doubted that it is the duty of the merchant and salesman to promote in every way the sale of
players and the intelligent care of them after they have been sold?
And right here comes up an important matter worthy of emphasizing, and I may cite conditions in a
related trade.
Most dealers in talking machines look carefully after their machines at all times, because they find that
the sale of records is, of course, the profitable part of the business.
Now, piano merchants could vastly increase the sale of music rolls if they would see to it that every
player sold is kept in perfect condition and the purchasers are kept intelligently posted as to new music
which is being issued every month.
The sale of new music rolls is very important and it warrants looking after closely. The mere supply
of all music required inevitably a desire on the part of some member of the family to acquire the regular
finger technic of the piano—hence the sale of sheet music and the taking of music lessons.
These blend perfectly, and it would seem from the present condition that the player is receiving an im-
petus which is sweeping it on to greater accomplishments in the musical life of the nation.
There are changes going on, too, in the mechanical world which will be both entertaining and instruc-
tive, and which will more firmly fix the player-piano as a greater factor in our modern musico-industrial life.
Of course, the player requires special study—it requires effort, but it will respond quickly to the right
kind of treatment in an increased business for the merchant who deals with the subject intelligently and
progressively.
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It will pay profits—-good profits—and that is what interests most
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