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THE MUSIC TRADE
THE
LVIFW
PUBLISHED BY THE ESTATE OF EDWARD LYMAN BILL
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Departments conducted by an expert wherein all ques-
P i a n n anil
tions
a technical nature relating to the tuning, regu-
l a t i n of
S a n d r e P a i r i n g o f pianos and player-pianos are
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dealt with, will be found in another section of this
paper. We also publish a number of reliable technical works, information concerning
which will be cheerfully given upon request.
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NEW
YORK,
OCTOBER
2 1 , 1916
EDITORIAL
T
HE near approach of the holiday season should bring forcibly
to the attention of dealers the necessity of placing orders
for pianos and player-pianos for holiday needs at the very earliest
moment. The abnormal conditions which prevail in the supply
and labor fields make it difficult for manufacturers to supply
their customers, unless a spirit of co-operation is manifested.
Dealers should be able by this time to make a fair approxi-
mation of the number of instruments required to meet their
wants from now until after the first of the year, and if orders
have not already been placed, the matter should be attended
to at once.
The wise dealer is he who looks far enough ahead to the
end that he will not embarrass the manufacturer by placing
orders by telegraph at the last moment—orders, perhaps, that
cannot be filled.
Piano dealers should, moreover, realize that the wholesale
prices of pianos and players are bound to go higher, certainly
not later than the first of the year. The cost of materials used
in the manufacture of these instruments is steadily mounting,
and manufacturers' profits are getting closer to the danger
margin—at least with those who have not given the matter of
increased prices due consideration.
Dealers should also see the necessity of inaugurating an
active campaign for the purpose of educating the public to the
fact that pianos are costing more to produce—costing more
to handle, and that therefore the prices are bound to go higher.
This is an excellent talking point, one that stimulates interest
in the house and in the piano, and is apt to induce those people
inclined to buy to give the purchase of a piano or player imme-
diate consideration, fearing that these instruments may cost
more a few months from now.
' I 'HE discussion anent the matter of piano tone, or rather the
1 question of "What Tone Are We Striving for, and Why?"
indulged in by a number of prominent superintendents and direc-
REVIEW
tors of piano manufacturing plants in Chicago last week is de-
serving of more than casual attention by men all over the country
who have been entrusted with the work of creating and develop-
ing a piano tone, which, while it may not perhaps measure up
to the ideal will at least prove satisfying to the greatest number
of those interested, whether as manufacturers or pianists. As
one speaker very aptly put it, there were just about as many dif-
ferent conceptions of the ideal tone and how it was to be obtained
as there were men participating in the discussion.
Conferences on piano tone, or on the technical improvement
of musical instruments, such as were held in Chicago last week,
are something new to the trade, but they merit the strongest ap-
proval.
It may be that each technical man has his own individual
ideas, but all those ideas tend toward the same general goal.
Under such conditions there should be and probably is some
basis upon which piano men may get together for the development
of a tone that while not absolutely meeting the demands of each
individual will nevertheless have enough merit to qualify it for
their endorsement.
The report of the Chicago conference demonstrated that the
piano men present were not radical nor set in their ways. They
were open to conviction. They were willing to see the light.
Under such conditions it is to be hoped that the discussions
will lead to something tangible—some result that will prove that
the thought given the matter was worth while—that piano men
are not of necessity absolutely satisfied with the present-day prod-
uct, but desire something better—to progress to higher achieve-
ments—and are willing to exchange ideas to that end.
the remarkable activity which prevails in all in-
D ESPITE
dustries in the United States, the question of export trade
and its development should not be overlooked. The manufac-
turer is wise who makes an effort to open up connections with
houses not only in South America and Australia, but in Europe
itself, so that in case of any dull times after the war, they may
find a convenient outlet for their products.
Some very timely words were uttered recently by an author-
ity in the export field when he pointed out that in view of the
generous aid now being extended by the government and by
banking agencies toward the extension of this country's export
trade, there is danger that individuals may be tempted to over-
look their own obligations. As has been repeatedly stated, what
is known as foreign trade is not something between one nation
and others, but is simply the total of a number of transactions
between individuals in one country with similar persons in other
countries. The nations, as such, do not trade with one another.
Under the circumstances, therefore, it is obligatory that the best
of faith should govern in the individual transactions if these are
to be kept up in the future.
It is regrettable, but none the less true, that this has not
always been the case with some of the domestic exporters. There
have been a number of complaints from South America and else-
where that goods have not been according to sample and that
understandings with regard to packing, etc., have not been com-
plied with. In cases of this kind it is manifest that the customers
will not continue to be such after they are again enabled to get
goods from more scrupulous shippers in other countries. The
fact seems to be, however, that there are still too many persons
here who look upon foreign trade merely as a temporary stop-
gap, or outlet for superfluous goods, instead of regarding it as
something to be coddled and increased as a continuing source
of profit. Such persons are not regardful of the foreign cus-
tomers, and their conduct is apt to injure others who have the
true conception of the value of an expanding foreign trade.
National Bureau for the Advancement of Music
T is HAT not the
entirely committed to a general campaign to increase
the demand for pianos and other musical instruments by indirect
means, but is willing, through its director, C. M. Trem/iine, to
aid in a direct campaign, is indicated by Mr. Tremaine's article
on another page of The Review this week under the caption:
"A Piano in Every Home." As the writer says, very truly, there
will be a large amount of money spent by retail piano houses
all over the country in advertising between now and the first of
the year, or until Christmas, and this money would be spent