Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PREACHING AND PRACTISING
(Continued from page 3)
I he entire industry, and his suggestions, which are not theoretical, but based upon actual accomplishment, are
really worthy of serious consideration—consideration is hardly the word—rather utilization.
It is very difficult for some merchants to get out of a rut. They like to continue along- the ftxvd lines that
have brought them a fairly good income, forgetting that the times change, and that people should change
with them.
While tradition should command respect, it should not close the eyes of the business man to the necessity
for keeping in touch with the progressive tendencies of the times.
The merchant who reaches the point where he is content with himself, who believes that he has obtained
perfection in his business system, is in danger.
That is just the time when he should realize that there is no resting on past laurels, for unless he is
anticipating and developing new ideas and utilizing them advantageously he is apt to find that his competitor
is moving ahead of him in the race for success.
In the pugilistic field it will be noted invariably that the fighter is apt to get the knock-out blow just when
he feels that he is invulnerable. The application of this is that it pays to be continually on the alert—continually
striving for new ideas—to the end that the business and its forces are always on the firing line well equipped
with the proper kind of ammunition in progressive ideas so that the trenches of indifference can be success-
fully carried and victory assured.
N making a plea for the licensing of piano tuners, F. F. Aber-
HE need for greater technical knowledge in the music trade
I vention
T
crombie appeared to strike the keynote at the annual con-
field is becoming more apparent all the time. This is evident
from the demand which exists for the series of important tech-
of the American Guild of Piano Tuners in Detroit last
week. The suggestion that legitimate tuners be licensed by
State or municipal authorities is not a new one, for it has been
advanced at every convention of the Guild.
Mr. Abercrombie presented the matter in a way that was
thoroughly convincing to those who have any doubts regarding
the desirability of such a move. If some practical way can be
evolved for the licensing of competent tuners it should have
the unqualified endorsement of every piano manufacturer who
takes pride in his instrument. If the piano maker and the
dealer could have the assurance that only those duly qualified
would have anything to do with the maintenance of the tone
producing qualities of the piano, such assurance would have a
value that could not be measured by dollars and cents.
The best piano iriade can be turned into a rattle-trap by an
incompetent tuner or repairman, while a good tuner can fre-
quently give unexpected tone producing powers to an instrument
of even doubtful quality. Licenses are now required for main-
lines of trade, from physicians to newsboys, and it should, there-
fore, be easy to find some such system to apply to piano tuners,
if sufficient public and trade support be given to the project,
ft appears to be the only safe and sane method for eliminating
the faker and the incompetent.
nical works on piano building, piano-player mechanism, tuning,
and the regulation, repair and operation of the player-piano, put
forth by this trade paper institution and which have met with
the unqualified endorsement of eminent experts here and abroad.
Thousands of copies of these books have been sold, not only
to those interested in the mechanical end of the industry, but also
to salesmen and piano merchants who realize the importance of
knowing something regarding the construction of the instru-
ments which they are selling or representing.
The educational value of these volumes is widely recognized,
and as far as we know there is no other source from which this
knowledge can be obtained. Every purchaser of these volumes
has been afforded an opportunity of returning the books which
he purchased, if not satisfactory to him, after an examination,
and of having the money refunded. It is of especial significance
that not three persons annually have availed themselves of this
opportunity. This fact alone shows how useful and satisfactory
these books are considered by those interested.
The Review has long emphasized the value of reliable tech-
nical literature in the music trade, and as a matter of fact there
is no other institution in the entire world which has so completely
covered this field as has this office.
GETTING DOWN TO PLAIN PLAYER FACTS
The education of the public along player lines is a necessity for the expansion of the player business.
There is no doubt of that; and education of the piano merchants and salesmen is also a vital necessity,
because through them will come a powerful force in the education of the public; and right here we wish to
remark that we have produced a line of books upon the player-piano which comprehensively covers the
entire player situation.
In this respect this trade newspaper stands alone, for it has been the principal source from which player
information has been available for piano merchants and salesmen for a period of years. Our latest book,
"The Player-Piano Up to Date"
is the best of the series. It contains upwards of 220 pages of matter bearing directly upon the player.
Every piano merchant and piano salesman should have a copy of this book within easy reach, It
gives to readers a fund of information not obtainable elsewhere.
It contains a series of original drawings and a vast amount of instructive and educational matter, as
well as a detailed description of some of the principal player mechanisms.
It costs $1.50 to have this book delivered to any address in the United States, and your money will be
refunded if you are not satisfied with the book after examination. No one yet has availed himself of this
opportunity. Foreign countries, 15c. to cover extra postage, should be added.
Estate of EDWARD LYMAN BILL, Publisher
373 Fourth Ave., New York