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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
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EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
Executive and Reportorlal Stall:
B. BKITTAIK W i u a x ,
A. J. NicKLiN,
CABLKTON CHACB,
AUQUST J. TiuFi,
L. M. ROBINSON,
Wii. B. WHITB,
GIAB HBNDBBSOII,
L. X. BOWBBS.
BOSTON OFFICE:
CHICAGO OFFICEe
JOHN H. W H J W , SI4 Washington St.
£ • P - V * » »**"»«>•. * T South Wabash AYC
_ . . '
„ . a rr n
HINBY S. KiirowiLL, Associate.
Telephone, Main 6950.
R o o m 8 0 «T Telephone, Central 414
PHILADELPHIA:
MINNEAPOLIS a n d ST. PAUL:
ST. LOUISt
R. W. KAUFFMAN.
ADOLF EDSTBN.
SAN FRANCISCO: S. H. GIAY, SB First St.
CINCINNATI, O.: JACOB W. WALTBBS.
BALTIMORE, MD.t A. ROBHT FBKNCH.
CLYM JIHHINGS
DETROIT, MICH.: MOBBIS J. WHITE.
INDIANAPOLIS. INDu STANLEY H. S U I T S .
MILWAUKEE. W I S . : L. K. MBYBJL
LONDON, ENGLAND: 1 Gretham Buildings, Basinghall St., E. C.
Published Every Saturday at 373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Entered at the New York Post Office as Second Class Matter.
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage), United States and Mexico, $3.00 per year; Canada,
|8.60; all other countries, $4.00.
ADVERTISEMENTS, $1.60 per inch, tingle column, per insertion. On quarterly »r
yearly contracts, a special discount is allowed. Advertising Pages, $76.00.
REMITTANCES, in other than currency forms, ihould be made payable to Edward
Lyman Bill.
____^_
PI«nA
Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
of a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
* a n d r«P»>«»>K of pianos and player-pianos are
p
dealt with, will be found in another section of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning whkh
will be cheerfully given u y a request.
t l ions
Btin
Exposition Honors Won by Hie Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver Medal.. .Charleston Exposition, 1908
Diflem*
Pan-American Exposition, 1901
Gold Me dm!
St. Louis Exposition, 1904
G»ld Medal..tewit-CUxk
Ex»*aiti«n. 1905
LOWS DISTANCE TELEPHONES—NUMBERS SWt-SMS MADISON SQUARE
O»iin«ctta0 all Department*.
Cable address : " H M I I N C W York."
NEW Y O R K , A U G U S T 2 , 1 9 1 3
EDITORIAL
the manufacturers of automatic pianos, for the great improvements
which have been in the perfection of the action, in the control of
the music roll, as well as for the care and artistic taste displayed
in designing cases for these instruments.
The combination of pneumatics with the music roll has opened
up a field of usefulness in the industry which is steadily broaden-
ing, and the pipe organ is rapidly coming under its influence with
the result that the "king of instruments" has been so democratized
as to be available for popular-priced theaters and other public resorts,
where it is playable manually, or by perforated music roll.
And the end is not yet, for some of our inventors and manu-
facturers are now busy producing a type of instrument which, when
perfected, will be a veritable orchestra in itself, embodying all the
orchestral effects of a great musical organization in which the piano
will also play its part.
N
EXT to producing a catalog of individual merit, both from
typographical and literary standpoints, the most important
step is to get this catalog into the home of a prospect in a manner
that will impress and interest. Several piano houses recently have
given much attention to this matter, and instead of sending a letter,
more or less perfunctory in tone, another method is employed to
impress on prospects the idea that their requests have stirred an
individual and special interest in the establishment.
In one instance, on the cover of a book, in a decorative panel
designed for the purpose, the prospect is flattered to find his or her
name printed. Mark you, not typewritten or stencilled, but printed.
The method is not so costly as it appears at first sight. The name
is cast complete on a linotype machine and the printing is done
almost as quickly and easily as if the type-line were a rubber stamp.
To those who, receive it, however, the catalog becomes a personal
belonging. It requires no letter to make them preserve it.
:
The idea is an excellent one, but it should not be overdone.
When the name is associated with something very choice in the
way of publicity issued by a house it is most effective, but the use
of the name should not be applied to every piece of literature sent
out. These new "wrinkles" in business promotion are profit makers
when they are discriminatingly and diplomatically handled.
V
ACATION time—the building up or renovating period—is
I ^HE attention which is being paid to the development of the
now in full swing; energy is being stored up to meet the
J- player-piano, as exemplified in the numerous patents which
demands of a busy fall. It is the time for introspection as well a^
enjoyment. So strong, however, is the routine of'life that the
are recorded in The Review from week to week, furnishes an idea
business man even tires of vacation. Tt is then on return that he
of the important part which this instrument is playing in the musical
feels that there is something almost human in the welcome the
field and in music trade history.
It would seem as if the player had a fascination for men of old chair at his office gives him. He left it almost hating it. He
thought that day he banged down his desk for a vacation that he
an inventive turn of mind, and while some of the devices patented
seem to the experienced man to be lacking in practicability, yet im- would not object if he never came back to the slave life in that
chair. But, somehow, when he dropped into it again this week it
provements of real merit are being brought to attention week after
week which must unquestionably have an important influence in the felt good. The chair fitted him and he fitted the chair. It was his
place in the world of living men, the throne from which he did
still greater technical development of the player-piano.
At the present time this would hardly seem possible, for, as it things.
has been said before, if an inventor desires to make money on a
As he slapped the worn arms of the chair he caressed them.
player device of any kind, he should take great care that he is not Back again where work is one of man's greatest blessings! He
has grown since he last sat in the chair. He has seen things,
wasting time and money over something that in the present state
thought of many things, and he is here to act accordingly. There
of the art is not wanted. At the present time the player trade does
not require new principles as much as the refinement of established is more than the words convey in "taking hold" again. The open
desk, with papers dated weeks ago, seems an eager thing. But he
fundamentals. Meanwhile the labors of our inventors in the player
field are welcome, because this activity demonstrates what a tre- is not afraid, not dull in decision. He pushes the back numbers to
one side, and reaches for the morning's mail. "Up to date" has a
mendously live factor the player is in our trade to-day, and from
grand meaning. Let the old mistakes go. Try again. Lead a
this inventive concentration must come a better and more perfected
new life. Let us begin now. At any rate this should be the lesson
instrument. The output of player-pianos during the past year
of a vacation well spent.
demonstrates the remarkable popularity of this instrument, and
indications point to a still greater demand during the fall and winter.
HE manager of the piano adjunct of a large department store
BRANCH of the player trade which has assumed formidable
gives the following estimate of his collector, who manages
proportions is that devoted to the manufacture of automatic
to collect the cash and keep his customers in a pleasant frame of
pianos and orchestrions which contain a combination of organ with
mind: "A good collector such as we have is a combination of
piano. The activity of our inventors in the perfection of these
nearly all the requirements which make the live business man. He
instruments has been most marked, and as a result the past year has
is resourceful in methods, diplomatic, courteous and withal capable
witnessed a tremendous advance in their musical effectiveness.
of drastic, kind, severe, generous, relentless or amiable mood, in
A new sales field has been opened up—one which in no way fact, of every temperament that fits the particular requirements of
interferes with the piano—namely, in public resorts of all kinds,
the task in hand when he undertakes to separate his debtors from
particularly in hotels and theaters, in club rooms and lodges, in
their money." This is a tribute to the man who "rakes in the cash"
high class confectionery parlors. Too much praise cannot be given
that one does not often see in print.
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