Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1913 Vol. 56 N. 5

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Technical Instruction in the Piano Trade.
T
HE announcement made in The Review last week that the
New York Board of Education had made arrangements for
a class in player-piano construction and repair at the Murray
Hill Evening Trade School has a significance that should be
thoroughly appreciated by the members of the trade, especially
the manufacturers. The proposed class is the first of its kind in
the East; that is, the first one conducted by the city and in
which tuition is free. The plan has been tried very successfully
in Cincinnati, and to a certain extent in Milwaukee, but never
on a very large scale.
A point especially worthy of attention in connection with
the new class is the statement of the principal of the Murray
Hill Evening Trade School to The Review to the effect that the
willingness of the Board of Education of this city to open new
classes in various trades was only limited by the interest of the
members of those various trades in the project. The class in
player-piano instruction is the direct outgrowth of the interest
shown in the matter by the members of the New York Piano
Manufacturers' Association and the committee appointed by it
to take up the matter.
Richard W. Lawrence, chairman of the committee, for in-
stance, has long been a strong and active advocate of classes
for the purpose of instructing young men in the practical side of
piano and player-piano building. It was largely through his
efforts that the classes for imparting such knowledge were
opened in the Union Branch of the Y. M. C. A. in the Bronx, and
where the attendance, considering the cost of the course, includ-
ing membership in the association, was 1 something like $13, was
surprisingly large.
Local piano manufacturers should lend every aid possible
to the new move of the Board of Education, both in the matter
of advertising it among their employes, encouraging attendance
at the classes, and in furnishing models and other equipment.
The money thus spent can be looked upon in the nature of an in-
vestment, for the success of the class will prove resultful not only
to students, but ultimately to the manufacturer himself, in that it
places at his command workmen with special and careful train-
ing, as the course will be modeled on the German system of
instruction, where practical operations are considered of greater
value than long lectures based on theory.
Augmenting the Piano's Range of Tone Effects.
T was said recently by one of our great musicians that the
grand piano of to-day—the high-grade instrument which
shows its worth not merely in its superb tone but in its regula-
tion—has reached the limit of perfection. Be this as it may,
there is still room for perfection in the playing of some of our
pianists—at least in'increasing and elaborating the piano's range
of tone effects.
Noise in any shape is not music, even if it comes from the
most celebrated piano, and many artists seem to think it neces-
sary to sacrifice musical tone for volume by forcing the instru-
ment far beyond its possibilities.
There are also innumerable offenders among some "cele-
brated" men in improperly using the damper pedal both in phras-
ing and in obtaining tone color. This is a subject which has
recently received serious consideration from Arthur Whiting,
the well-known pianist and pedagogue, and who, by the way, is
a great admirer of the precursors of the piano, having been
heard in a number of concerts in which he displayed his talents
through the medium of the harpsichord made in the Chickering
factory under the supervision of Arnold Dolmetsch.
Mr. Whiting starts out to teach the proper and artistic
use of the damper pedal—to make the pianoforte a complete
I
pallette of tonal hues. He has put forth a number of original
views in connection with the use and abuse of the pedal that
are most timely, for many pianists, unfortunately, fail to compre-
hend the beautiful and charactertistic effects made possible
through a proper command of the pedal mechanism, and which
are so frequently abused.
The sins of the pianist are oftentimes visited on the piano,
and in the majority of instances without cause. Only recently
the writer attended a song recital, and was amazed at the dry,
tin-panny, unmusical tone of the instrument bearing a well-
known name which was used by the accompanist. A little later
a composer of one of the songs on the program accompanied
the singer, and a complete metamorphosis occurred. He
played sympathetically, used the pedals intelligently, with the
result that there was a rich, supporting, carrying tone, which
was helpful to the singer and to the reputation of the piano.
This was a most remarkable illustration of the manner in
which the reputation of a piano may be injured by a so-called
pianist who undoubtedly has much to learn of the artistic pur-
pose and value of the damper pedal. Information on this topic
is certainly timely, and can be read with good purpose and, we
hope, profit by musicians.
The Appropriation of an Advertising Idea.
HOSE Heaven blessed members of the advertising fraternity
who give birth to "ideas" have been watching with keen
interest a recent case against a theatrical manager and prodticer
in which plagiarism has been involved. The case was that of
Harry Dam vs. Kirke La Shelle Co., and the facts at issue pre-
sented a remarkably close analogy to the appropriation of an
advertising idea because it was the idea only which was utilized
in this case, hence it appeals to advertisers interested in the dis-
covery of some means to check the troublesome cuss who lifts an
advertising idea, clothes it in new words and sends it out as
his own.
The bone of contention in the suit was, the play entitled "The
Heir to the Hoorah." Harry Dam had written a story called
"The Transmogrification of Dan," which was published in the
Smart Set. Some time later Paul Armstrong took the plot of
the story and made it the climax of the play. He did not use any
of the language of the story, and not only gave to the characters
different names, but added many new characters and incidents.
The play was produced by the La Shelle Co. after Dam's death,
and the latter's widow sued the producer for all of its profits
T
and the author for all of his royalties. The court found for the
plaintiff, awarding her a sum amounting to more than $160,000.
With the thought that this case might prove a precedent
for the protection of advertising ideas. Printers' Ink secured some
legal opinions, the gist of which is that it probably would have
no effect whatever upon the standing of advertising ideas as
property.
The author of a story, it appears, has two distinct rights
therein, which are conferred upon him specifically by statute. He
has the right to make copies, and he has the dramatic right, or
stage right—the right of public representation, which includes the
dramatic situations and general action of the piece. The two
rights are separate, and he can sell either and retain, the other.
Consequently the adaptation of an idea for dramatic purposes,
without the consent of the author (or the owner of the dramatic
rights), is a violation of the statute. The adaptation of the same
idea in an advertising booklet, however, says "The Little School-
master," would not be a violation, for the statute says nothing
about advertising booklets. There is no relief in sight from the
dramatic angle of the copyright law.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
(Special to The Review.)
Detroit, Mich., Jan. 27, 1913.
The annual meeting of Grinnell Bros, was held
Tuesday, Jan. 28, when all the old officers and di-
rectors were re-elected. The personnel is as fol-
lows: President, I. L. Grinnell; first vice-presi-
dent, C. A. Grinnell; second vice-president, A. A.
Grinnell; secretary, S. E. Clark; treasurer, C. I.
Nye. There are no other members of the board
than the five officers.
The annual gathering of the Grinnell Bros,
branch store and department managers from all
over the State and Canada also was held this week.
The two meetings came in conjunction because
many of the managers in other cities are stock-
holders. Altogether half a hundred piano men
were at the two meetings.
The managers' meeting will last throughout the
week, owing to the large amount of business to be
transacted. Reports on last year's business are
being made, account taken of stock on hand, esti-
mates of what will be needed for the 1913 trade,
etc. The cares of the business sessions were light-
ened by entertainments in the evenings. On Tues-
day the convention went to the Automobile Show
in a bunch. Wednesday evening there was a ban-
quet at the Charlevoix, and on Thursday evening
they all went to the Detroit Opera House.
F r o m a smaI1 local
NEW QUARTERS IN TORONTO.
GRINNELL RROS^ANNUAL MEETING.
Old Officers and Directors Re-elected—Branch
Store Managers from All Over the State and
Canada Also Come Together and Indulge in
an
Interchange of Views—-Enjoy Social
Pleasures as Well—Entertained at Banquet.
REVIEW
„ _ „, .
,
, ^
R. S. Williams & Sons Co. Hold Formal Open-
_
1.
inq of Handsome New Building in That City
*
„
, ,
„ .
—Great Growth of the Company's Business.
(Special to The Review.)
Toronto, Ont., Jan. 27, 1913.
The new building of the R. S. Williams & Sons
Co., at 145 Yonge street, was formally opened to
the public on Tuesday and Wednesday of this
week. Special musical entertainment by promi-
nent artists, including piano soloists, orchestras,
STEINERT EMPLOYES DINE.
string quartets and music produced by player-
pianos, Victrolas and Edison disc phonographs
,
,
, . .
, ,
,
served to attract a host of visitors and keep
1 them
interested.
„.
. , ,,,.,,.
, i
,
•
,
lhe old Williams home has witnessed a great
,
„
measure of success. Over forty
years
ago the
J J
, ....
,
,
present nve-story building was erected—when
% . , . . ,
•
• ,
,
• ,
Canadian industry
and musical
J was in its infancy
. . J
lnstruments were a comparative luxury.
_,
, , . _
lhe announcements and progress of this
(Special t^The~Review.)
,,,
, r
,„ i r i 1 o
T
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 27, 1913.
, 1M
, ,
, .
.
. .._ O i .
lhe annual banquet for employes of M. Steinert
.
. .
.
,
, -
& <, c 5 o n s n
•
Co., piano dealers, was given by the firm
• ,,
,,
. .
.
c ,
u
n
in the Hay State Hotel last week. Covers were
, • , t
, .. ,, ,
,
,
, , ~
OA
laid for
30
and the Hoston branch of the firm
i
^
^
4 i i
was
represented by department managers. Stan-
, r n
., ,
. .. ..
.
Icy (.,. Brennan presided and the dinner was r fol-
,
, ,
•
, , ,
lowed by music and addresses.
firm
.
during these forty years relate much of the history
of musical instrument development in Canada.
Q. L. Patton has installed a stock of musical in-
strumeiits in his new store in Vinita, Okla.
APPRAISER'S REPORT IN HILL PIANO CO. BANKRUPT CASE.
Total Reached by Appraisers, Not Including Piano Cases or Leases of Top Floor of Building, Is
$40,669.51 —Private Sale of Pianos and Supplies to Be Held by the Trustee.
(Special to The Review.)
Jamestown, N. Y., Jan 27, 191A
The discovery of a little error of about $18,000
l
°r u 6 T P O r t ° f
l t*»T
the appr aiSer S i n
,
,
u
the Hill Piano Co bankruptcy case Thursday after-
noon caused another halt in all proceedings until
almost 3 o clock, when the adding machine totals
CLEVELAND ASSOCIATION MEETS.
were found and the error corrected.
Frank Meckel Elected President—Plans for Na-
The mistake was in the item of office furniture
tional Convention in June—Big Banquet
and fixtures, which in the copy of the appraisal
and Installation Planned for Feb. 11.
filed read $20,080.85. The corrected table read
$2 080 85
' - -
( Special to The Review.)
The complete report of the appraisers covered
Cleveland, O., Jan. 27, 1913.
15 or more typewritten pages, and included every
At a meeting of the Cleveland Music Trade As- item of movable property, the real estate and the
sociation, held last week, Frank Meckel was elected
notes and other bills receivable actually in the
president; Orville Lewis, vice-president, and Har- hands of the Hill Piano Co. It did not include
lan Hart, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Meckel as the leases under pledge or any other leases, nor
president, will act on the banquet committee of
d,d it include anything for the leases of the top
the National Association of Piano Merchants
floor of the Chadakom building.
The totals
jointly with Henry Dreher and A. L. Vernon, as reached by the appraisers read as follows:
per appointment by President Daniels at the ex-
Pianos in store
$10,007.50
ecutive committee meeting in New York.
Pianos in warehouse
3,584.50
The Cleveland association has arranged for its
Grafonolas
1,687.00
Records
annual banquet and installation of officers to take
1,832.75
place on February 11. .A special committee has
Player music
243.56
been appointed to look after the details of the gath-
Sheet music
1,526.99
ering, and a general invitation has been sent out to
Furniture etc
2,080.85
the local trade and dealers throughout the State to
Llbrai
7o
7
-^°
attend. It is expected to be one of the liveliest
Sundries
744.^5
gatherings in the history of the local trade.
Notes piano sales
2,632.05
If you are a salesman, tuner or traveler, and
desire a position, forward your wants in an ad-
vertisement to The Review in space not to ex-
ceed four lines and it will be inserted free of
charge and replies sent to you.
P i a n o business the old home
witnessed the development of one of the greatest
. . .
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.
.
musical instrument industries in the country,
,
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., ,.
T ,
There has been assembled a wonderful collection
,
.
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.
,
of antique instruments, many of which are almost
priceless, representing an investment of thousands
of dollars, purely in the interests of art. In this
old home was also collected one of the finest col-
lections of rare and expensive old violins now in
existence.
—
Other
notes
Pianos
in store,
others
Real estate
Total
4 703 22
'
but claimed
-
T h e
tee
discussion of the afternoon was
of w h a t p r o c e d u r e the trus .
^
^
fo]]ow wjth regar(] to ^
Q{
informal
chiefly
Qn
thg
shou]d
matter
Pianos, and other things in the stock. Finally it
was
agrefid
much
that
above
a priyate
^
possibl
should
as
^ ^
^ . ^
be
h d d
or
b
trustee
It w a s aJso a r r a n g e d
follow
a
bdef
Hil ,
H
Fur]ow>
which
and
t]iat a n a d j o u r n r n e n t
examination
was
that
of
desire(]
ne ^ t
the
the
fa
should
Ea rl
A .
L .
bankrupt>
Attorn
me£ting
y
c redUors
of
should be held January 30.
Notice
Q a r e
was
A
wou]d
also
pickard
come
up
giyen
ag
before
M a y v i l l e M a r c h 12> f o r
tors
as
an(J
the
parties
tQ
Referee
LesHe
authorizing
retail
at
tnistee
thjs
that
receiyer
the
jn
County
fina i
jn
accounting
thfi
^ ^
Judge
o{
cQurts
Ottaway
at
settlement. The credi-
bankruptcy
wi]1
be
dted
proceeding
A
Pease
hag
issued
an
order
Trustee Walter H. Edson to sell at
pubHc
or pfivate
salg
thfi
yarious
pianQSj
musical instruments, music supplies and sheet
m u s i c n o w jn t h e p o s s e s s i o n of t h e , trustee .
This
o r d e r i g n o t t Q c o n t i i i u e i n f o r c e beyond January
3()
T h e o r d e r w a g g r a n t e d o n m o t i o n o f Wilson
According
Q
Price
ag a t t o r n e y for t h e trustee .
tQ
thfi p r o v i s i o n s
shaU
be
sold
fof
of
, ess
the
order>
than
none
of
thg purchase
the
goods
price>
and
that the trustee shall submit a detailed report of
t h e p r o c e e d s o f t h e s a [ e t o t h e re f eree? together
w h h
any
recommendations
he
may
have
as
to
the
future sale of the properties.
by
4 ^Q'W
4,709.22
$40,669.61
G
G
- Scherfenberg has installed a large stock
instruments at 503 Germain street, Sauk
Rapids, Minn.
of
-
musica]
assured way to obtain a superior
•*• product is through the personal super-
vision of a member of the firm who has been
trained in the works.
All three officers of the David H. Schmidt Co. are factory
trained. The senior member, David H. Schmidt, enjoys the dis-
tinction of being an authority on piano hammer matters.
His work is well reflected in the quality products of the
Schmidt factory—the hammer that is superior to all.
DAVID
as
the
H. SCHMIDT
CO., Poughkeepsie,
N. Y.

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