Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1913 Vol. 57 N. 3

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PUBLIC TESTING OF VIOLINS BY A "SELECTED" VIOLINIST.
The Interesting Views of August M. Gemunder on This Subject as Expressed Some Time Since
in the Violin World Make Pertinent Reading for Musical Merchandise Trade.
The most recent form of controversy between
adherents of old violins and loyal supporters of
new violins is the "public test." In Paris and
other European cities, and in one or two American
c'ties, "'contests" have been held, wherein some
one player goes behind a screen, or plays in the
dark, a number of new and old violins. Each
spectator is supplied with a pasteboard on which
he or she is to designate by number which of the
several instruments he or she likes best. If you
had one of these pasteboards and, after hearing
the whole twelve or fifteen instruments played, you
decided the sixth one played seemed to you to be
the best of the batch, then you would set down
No. G as "best." After the performance, or per-
formances, the ballots are tallied up and the vote
for each instrument announced. It has happened
that the winners in a majority of these contests
proved to be modern violins and the losers old
violins.
Considering the number of these contests that
have been held, and knowing that the modern vio-
lin has been voted the best at a majority of these
contests, many are inclined to think the contro-
versy is settled—that the modern violin has vindi-
cated itself and proven its superiority over the
old. Against this verdict I have no fault to find.
In fact, I am inclined to readily agree that the
modern violin is the best violin. But against the
method of arriving at this conclusion I have de-
cided objections.
Let us go into this unique testing method a lit-
tle further, and learn if the dear old violins and
the interesting new violins had the same chance.
In the first place, all the instruments to be tested
at any "contest" are played by one ''selected'' vio-
linist. In the second place, this one player tests
all the instruments in the dark, or else he is blind-
folded. From quite an extensive acquaintance with
violinists of all kinds and classes—from student to
virtuoso—I am of the opinion that the blindfolded
player doing the test will instinctively play best
on the instrument which appeals most to "his"
touch. As the player is either blindfolded or in
the dark, his eyes are not in position to bias his
fingers. His sense of touch is his only guide to
what sort of instrument he has in his hands.
I take it to be a self-evident fact that this player
vill play best on the instrument which most nearly
meets and responds to his individual touch.
And this, I take it, proves nothing concerning
the remaining number of instruments tested. It
merely proves that the fourth one, .or the sixth
one, or whichever one adjudged "best," was ad-
justed so this indirtdual could get best results from
it. And that's all it proved. I venture to say that
were I allowed to talk, before the performance,
with the man who was to do the testing, and al-
lowed to get his views on "response" in violins,
learn the gauge strings he preferred, the weight
of bow he was accustomed to using, and observe
the size of his left hand, the strength of his bow-
nig, I could so adjust the twelve or fifteen instru-
ments for test that any one I choose to adjust to
suit this individual tester would win. There's no
doubt in my mind on this point.
These tests are competitive in name only; as a
matter of fact they are not at all conclusive as to
the merits of the respective violins tested, or as
to the comparative merits of new or old violins.
The blindfolded or "dark-roomed" player who
plays on a dozen instruments is in precisely the
same position as the average violinist who starts
out to test violins with a view to purchase. He
invariably buys "by touch"—for the instrument ad-
justed to "his" touch is the one he will play best
on. What appeals to his touch will almost invari-
ably appeal to his ear. Where his fingers feel "at
home" and his bow arm gets ready response, there
his ears invariably give the verdict—not because he
47
judges by the "touch"—but because he gets best
tonal results from the instrument best adapted to his
touch. If these public tests really proved anything,
all one would need do would be to send to various
makers for new and old violins, invite one's
friends around, blindfold one of them and have
him play all the collected instruments, and on the
verdict of our assembled friends we would make
our purchase. Simple, isn't it? Yes—but con-
clusive only to the simple-minded. Imagine Kube-
lik, Ysaye or Kreisler buying or choosing an in-
strument after this fashion!
A satisfactory violin is one that "appeals'" per-
sonally to and satisfies the players in every respect.
To prove this: Many times noted players have
borrowed noted Strads or other fine instruments
for a certain performance, and then failed to arouse
the enthusiasm in their audience which they
anticipated. The public comes to hear the violin-
ist and doesn't care a fiddle string who made the
violin. A good player with a good instrument—
and he alone is the one competent judge of what
is a "good" instrument for him—will get the ver-
dict of popular applause and appreciation.
In fine, individuality among players calls for in-
dividuality in violins. Violins certainly do possess
individuality—a wide range of it. Seldom will
three or four sound alike, and very seldom do we
find two exactly alike.
So, our "public tests," like private tests made
by individuals about to purchase, generally ter-
minate by the instrument best adapted to the indi-
vidual player being the winner in such contests.
We must disregard the public test, so far as prac-
tical results go, and stick close to the practice of
each individual buying and playing the instrument
which appeals to him most—providing he has some
technique and tone knowledge for an instrument to
make its appeal to. Or, in the absence of real
knowledge on the part of the player about to pur-
chase, reliance should be placed upon the maker
and he be allowed to adjust the selected instrument
to the purchaser's physique and technique. The
old reliable way is still the best.
Bell Brand Harmonicas
"Made in America"
Have won a national reputation because of their remarkable and durable
qualities. They are not the best merely because they are American made,
and the only harmonicas made in this country, but they stand competition
with the products of the world, embodying the very best musical qualities
and workmanship.
BELL BRAND HARMONICAS
CAN BE PROCURED FROM THE FOLLOWING WHOLESALE HOUSES:
C. BRUNO & SON, New York City, N. Y.
BUEGELEISEN & JACOBSON, New York City, N. Y.
OLIVER DITSON CO., Boston, Mass.
C. H. DITSON & CO., New York City.
W. J. DYER & BRO., St. Paul, Minn.
J. W. JENKINS SONS' MUSIC CO., Kansas City, Mo.
THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO., Cincinnati, O.
ROBT. C. KRETSCHMAR, Philadelphia, Pa.
KOERBER-BRENNER MUSIC CO., St. Louis, Mo.
LYON & HEALY, Chicago, III.
C. MEISEL, New York City, N. Y.
SHERMAN, CLAY & CO., San Francisco, Cal.
JOS. W. STERN & CO., New York City, N. Y.
TONK BROS. CO., Chicago, 111.
THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO., Chicago, III.
The National Musical String Co., S
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
tHE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
48
EXCELLENT VICTROLA PUBLICITY
EDISON DISCUSSES MOVING PICTURES
Received by the E. W . Owen Co., of Mankatt),
Minn., Through Supplying an Instrument to
Bethany College for Demonstration.
Ouring Visit to International Moving Picture
Exhibition Held in New York Last Week.
The E. VV. Owen Co., of Mankato, Minn., an
aggressive Victor dealer, received some excellent
publicity recently by iurn!shing a large Victrola
and a supply of records for use at Bethany College
in a demonstration by the college's instructor in
music. The Mankato papers devoted suitable space
to the use of the Victrola at the concert, and one
of the newspaper reports read in part as follows:
"By means of the Victrola, the interpretation of
some of these classic pieces as the masters have
interpreted them are brought directly to the
students, and they have almost the same advantage
as they would in hearing the great musicians them-
selves."
Thos. A. Edison attended the International
Moving Picture exhibition which was held at Grand
Central Palace one night last week, accompanied
by Mrs. Edison. When interviewed, he said :
"The educational value of the moving picture is,
and will b:, enormous. Both the speaking and
moving pictifre will be improved and developed,
but it takes time. Through these mediums the
great masses of the people can have the advantages
of the rich man. There has already been some
improvement, and this will increase."
"What will be the future of the moving picture?"
Mr. Edison was asked.
"Perfect opera," answered Mr. Edison. "All de-
lusions will be perfect, and probably the actual
color will be produced."
"Will this be your work?"
"Unless some one gets ahead.of me."
"Will the talking pictures displace the silent
drama ?" was then asked.
"No; both the speaking and silent moving pic-
tures will continue to exist. Both will be im-
proved. Both as they stand are just samples. Now
we will go on to perfection. Both have been shown
just to exhibit the possibilities."—New York
Times.
COLUMBIA NEWS GLEANINGS.
Hecht & Co. of Washington, D. C , Doing Well
with the Columbia Line—Novel Method of
Publicity—George W . Lyle at His Desk.
One of the most glowing reports of business
being done by any Columbia representative is that
given by Hecht & Co., Washington, D. C, which
acquired the Columbia agency a short while since.
This prominent house, which is one of the largest
department stores in its section of the country, is
enthusiastic over the splendid business it has closed
to date and the promising outlook for the future.
The company from the very start has taken ad-
\ antage of the opportunities that exist in the "Cap-
itol" for developing high-class clienteles for its
various departments. Its success in connection
with the Columbia line has been pronounced and
emphatic and, aided by consistent high-class pub-
licity, a fast growing clientele for Columbia prod-
INCORPORATIONS.
ucts has been developed.
The Phonograph Co., Cleveland, O., has been
George" W. Lyle, general manager of the Co-
incorporated with capital stock of $75,000 for the
lumbia
Graphophone Co., returned to his desk
purpose of dealing in musical instruments. The
Monday sunburned and tanned after a week's rest
incorporators are:
L. D. Greenfield, J. A.
at his summer home in Summit, N. Y.
Fround, Lela Pugh, Charles Kovanda and J, G.
H. L. Willson, assistant general manager of-the
Reyant.
company, is spending this week at Summit, N. Y.,
The Evanston Talking Machine Co., Evansville,
taking a well-deserved rest.
111., has been incorporated with capital stock of
A novel method of publicity that is producing
$2,500 for the purpose of dealing in talking ma-
excellent
results has just been introduced by. Swe.t
chines. The incorporators are: Richard K. Wil-
INTEREST=COMPELL1NG BULLETIN. & Reed, of Willianisport, Pa., Columbia dealers,
liams, E. J. Sandeen and Irving I. Livingston.
An interest-compelling 'bulletin just introduced
for securing extensive distribution among its pros-
by the Victor Talking Machine Co. is being dis- pects. This publicity consists of the distribution
FEATURE BONCI ANlTklNGSTON.
played this week in the show-window of the New of a gold colored pocket piece, which in size and
The August bulletin issued by the Columbia York Talking Machine Co. This artistic placard
shape resembles a $20 gold piece. On one side of
Graphophone Co., devoted to the new records in the which is producing results is devoted to the phe-
this "coin" is shown the Columbia notes, the offi-
August supplement, features excellent portraits of
nomenally popular Victor dance records that are cial Columbia trade-mark, while the imprint on
Bonci and Morgan Kingston. The latter, by the in such great demand the country over. The bul- the reverse side calls attention to the importance
way, has been engaged by Milton Aborn for The letin or placard is designed in many colors and of Sweet & Reed as Columbia dealers and the ad-
Century Opera Co. These two famous tenors are with its attractive headlines makes a sales-produc- vantages to be derived by trading there. The
both included in this supplement which is unusually tive piece of literature that is well worth consid- "coin" arouses comment and curiosity that is
strong for a mid-summer list.
eration.
proving excellent publicity.
POPULAR AMBEROLA STYLE.
The instantaneous popularity of the Amberola
VI, the latest merriber of this family to be intro-
duced by Thomas A. Edison, Inc., indicates that
this machine will be a "best-seller" when the fall
season commences. The price of this machine, $60,
together 'with its convenient size, have made a
powerful appeal to the public, and Edison dealers
are receiving substantial orders for this new Am-
berola from their clientele.
THE HALL-STEPHENSON CO.'S COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT.
(Special to The Review.)
KNOXVILLE, TENN., July 14.—The accompanying
photograph will give some idea of the attractive-
ness of the new Columbia department of the Hall-
Stephenson Co., one of the prominent furniture
houses of this city. This store started to handle
a marked success from the time it was first opened
to the public.
A number of sound-proof demonstration booths,
tastefully furnished, are in constant use, and with-
in the short period of six months, the Hall Steph-
enson Co. has succeeded in acquiring a well de-
Columbia products last December, and under the
capable management of M. C. Hendel, formerly
connected with the Atlanta headquarters of the
Columbia Graphophone Co., the department scored
served prestige for its Columbia department
throughout Eastern Tennessee. Sales of the high-
er-priced machines are closed with pleasing regu-
larity in this department.
HEAD OF KINETOSCOPE INTERESTS.
L. W. McChesney, who was with Thos. A. Edi-
son, Inc., Orange, N. J., as assistant manager of
the advertising department and recently publicity
manager of the General Film Co., New York, is
again at Orange, where he is head of the Kineto-
scope interests. Mr. McChesney commenced his
new duties on last Monday. As the trade knows,
he is the son of L. C. McChesney, advertising man-
ager of the Edison companies.
F. K. DOLBEER GOT THE PRIZE.
Sales Manager Dolbe.r, of Thomas Edison, Inc.,
was one of the stars at the games on Edison Field
Day held at Orange, N. J., June 12, when he won
the fat man's race by an unexpected burst of
speed at the finish. A number of other contests
attracted large groups of entries, and Mr. Edison
personally started several of the important races.
VICTOR NEWSPAPER PUBLICITY.
The Victor newspaper advertisements for the
month of August feature a number of distinctive
and forceful head-lines that should make the ad-
vertisements stand out clearly on a newspaper page.
A number of the leading types of Victrolas accom-
panied by interesting selling-talks are featured.

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