Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1917 Vol. 64 N. 4

Page 9 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
9
li^M^MMIMIMM&«MMM^
E have had the right sort of a year, after all. Not meaning
W
that 1916 was expected to be aught save prosperous, but
rather that, somehow or other, there was quite a prevalent belief
that the latest figures would show somewhat less of a total than
they actually did. Yet, gratifying as the 1916 business figures
are, and not neglecting the possibilities that the actual production
of pianos and player-pianos will turn out to have been by far the
greatest ever—when the returns have been finally counted—it is
well to remember that the previous two years left holes in the
normal aggregate volume of trade which 1916 did no more than to
patch up. Looking forward to 1917, we naturally ask ourselves
what the outlook is for the player business; and we may be fairly
sure that that outlook is not dark by any manner of means. In-
deed, at the moment of writing there is not a cloud in the sky, save
that single nimbus which represents the high cost of manufactur-
ing and appears to be growing larger daily. Yet even high costs
cannot of themselves stop business; they can only drive us to
make improvements in methods. And, if nothing else, we can
perhaps also be driven, through stress of circumstances, to dis-
cover ways and means of opening up new fields for the sale of
'high class,"and higher priced instruments to such sections of the
people as have not yet taken them up. No! 1917 will not be a bad
year. It will be a good—and probably an extremely good—year.
It may even be a banner year; though in that case we shall have
to do more than merely let the orders drift in.
the whole, it may be said that 1917 ought to be the year in
O N which
the final position of the power-driven player is settled.
supposing also the development of a more artistic player than has
been considered a commercial article; yet it is no secret that such
players exist and are to be had. Let us not fall into the error of
supposing that the player business can be run forever without
the application of intelligence.
HE music roll on which are printed the words of a song of
T
which the accompaniment forms the subject-matter of the
perforations—in short, the song-roll or whatever like that it is
called—appears to have firmly settled itself for at least a good
trial run. Naturally, its future will depend upon the trend of
public taste. If the demand keeps up, the song-roll will continue
to be published in growing quantities. If it does not ''take," as
the saying is, it will gradually recede into a sort of desuetude,
ultimately to disappear altogether. But in all the talk which has
been fired off about the song-roll, the fact has apparently been
overlooked that the really wise thing to do with it is to treat it as
a new idea, to sell it as a big improvement, and to get a bigger
price for it. In short, seeing that the song-roll is the first modifi-
cation in the music-roll business that is universal in its appeal and
also fits every player-piano without attendant complications of
any sort, why not get a decent price out of it? Why let the pub-
lic have the benefit of our improvements, expenditures and labors,
without getting some decent return? Is there, here, something
that indicates a weakness? Surely the trade is not weak-minded.
No! but the trade, in this case, is thoughtless. To sell the song-
roll on the same terms and in the same conditions as at present
surround the ordinary music-roll seems to us to involve the de-
Jiberate throwing away of a great opportunity.
Taking it by and large, appearances are in favor of the power-
driven instrument landing on top. But we certainly do hope that
T is probably quite true to say that the ratio between pianos
the trade will not rush too precipitately to the conclusion that the
and player-pianos is rapidly approaching equality of terms. In
day of the foot-driven player is past and gone. The power-driven
a word, the output of player-pianos will soon be equal to that of
player has nothing of superiority over its foot-driven rival—let
straight pianos. The signs are definite and persistent. It is
it be well understood—unless it is a reproducing player pure and
hardly to be doubted that, as remarked by a trade authority a
simple. A power-driven instrument which is simply a pumpless
player-piano, will not sell largely; because its extra cost does not week or so ago, the player-piano is now occupying the same posi-
give enough to warrant paying it. On the other hand, if you tion in its relation with the upright that the latter did thirty-five
make it a reproducing player, pure and simple, you must get a or forty years ago in its relation with the organ. That the result
of the present contest will be the victory of the player-piano is,
very good price for it and that means you must sell it to people
of course, a foregone conclusion. It is the opinion of many that
of some wealth. That again, means more intelligence and more
the
straight upright piano will, in course of time, altogether cease to
careful preparation of selling campaigns. There is no doubt that
exist.
Its place will be taken by the baby grand and the player. The
the player-piano of the power-driven, reproducing type has its
disappearance
is not immediately due; but there can be little
own position and its own future, both assured; but it decidedly
doubt
that
the
course of events during 1917 will bring it appre-
does not mean that the foot-driven player would have no chance
r
ciably
nearer.
with the people of w ealth and intelligence against the reproducer.
Far from it. The foot-driven player—or anyhow the personal
ATURE itself is always breaking down and repairing^her own
control player without automatic expression—if it be developed
work, and the piano or player merchant is not yet born who
as far along expressive lines as it already has been in some quar-
can afford to let his business take its natural course without con-
ters—is the one player which will appeal to J:he person of general
stant watchfulness against the inroads of dry rot. This watchful-
taste and of some specific love for music. Such persons have their
ness, too, has a tendency to keep him alive to new methods that pro-
habitation in the cities and villages of the land in far greatei
gressive dealers are following throughout the country—the men who
numbers than is generally supposed; but until player retailers are
make good—the men who read the trade papers—the men who act.
capable of meeting such persons on their own social and intel-
It keeps him in health and happiness, because he knows that his
lectual level, and of setting forth the merits of the player-piano
business is prospering and that he himself is mentally awake and
with a modicum of musical knowledge and intelligence, that sort
of trade will not be successfully cultivated. Of course, we are in touch with conditions.
I
N
The Master Player-Piano
is now equipped with an
AUTOMATIC TRACKING DEVICE
Which guarantees absolutely correct tracking of even the most imperfect music rolls
WINTER & CO., 220 Southern Boulevard, New York City

Page 10 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
10
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There Is a Definite Need for Thoroughly Understandable Technical Cata-
logs Concerning the Various Players on the Market, and Manufacturers
Will Do Well to Consider Seriously the Preparation of Such Booklets
Elevation of top and bottom action in piano.
With the multiplication of player mechanisms standpoint, nor on the other hand do we want
Elevation of top action showing detail of
and the increasing use of them in pianos a mere sales talk with a few extra illustrations.
throughout the country, the problem of securing The technical catalog should be, from beginning superstructure, automatic shifter, motor, trans-
skilled attention for these instruments in places to end, a practical guide to the player; and noth- mission and connections.
Elevation and section of motor alone.
remote from great piano centers, becomes more ing else.
Simplicity an Important Requisite
and more pressing. The work which is being
Elevation and sections of automatic shifter;
A prime requisite of such "a catalog, then, is sections to be longitudinal and transverse.
done by public, private and semi-private author-
ity in giving mechanical and technical player Simplicity. The language must be non-tech-
Back view elevation of top action.
instruction to tuners is highly admirable; but nical, because the information is set forth for
Section of back view of top action elevation
this is an enormous country, and it would be the benefit of men who usually have not the showing connection to piano action.
many years before all the tuners who to-day, least technical training and very often are not
Elevation of bottom action in piano, tipped
even, need that instruction, could get it through even good mechanics. The information con- back to show lever connections from key-bed.
presently existing schools and teachers. In veyed to them must be put in such simple lan-
Back view elevation of bottom action.
the circumstances, it is necessary to rely very guage that any one who can read can under-
Longitudinal and transverse sections through
much upon printed matter to supply the want; stand. For this reason, it is usually better not tempo and controller box.
and although printed instructions are not at all to entrust the preparation of the reading mat-
Longitudinal and transverse sections through
to be compared with teaching done orally and ter to the technical superintendent of the fac- expression governors.
in immediate contact with the mechanism under tory, for he, in most cases, is the last person
Maintenance, Regulation and Repair
investigation, they have their uses, and it is in the world able to explain his own ideas in
The final requisite is information on mainte-
necessary to make the best of them as well as language which a non-technical man will under- nance, regulation and repair. This means mak-
stand. It is much better to have a regular tech- ing a list of the minor troubles that are found
we can.
nical copy-writer employed specially for the pur- common to occur, and giving simple ways of
The Need for a Technical Catalog
I t also
The fact is that a well thought-out, well writ- pose and have him consult with the technical diagnosing and remedying them.
ten and well made-up technical instruction book men, draw his information from them, set it means, information as to timing and regulating
on the player-piano should be extremely valu- into the right sort of language and then submit motors regulating player to piano, dissembling
and assembling player mechanism, cure of
able in bringing to the notice of tuners and it to them once more for approval.
A second requisite of any successful technical ciphering or silent pneumatics, cleaning vents,
other interested persons, the necessary facts re-
garding the construction and care of player- catalog is that it shall be written with the under- repairing torn pneumatic cloth, repairing torn
pianos. Indeed, where the tuner cannot go to standing that those who read it are totally ig- pouches, stopping leaks, repacking joints, etc.
It will be argued by some that these last
the factory or to school, he must either neg- norant of player mechanism in its fundamentals,
lect player-pianos or rely upon book instruc- and not merely ignorant of the particular player items are unnecessary, but a little thought will
tion. The enormous importance of making such which is being described. It is hard to talk show that this is not the case. What is worth
books as adequate as possible, therefore, will about matters wholly familiar to one-self in a doing at all is worth doing well, and the extra
really rudimentary way; but unless this is done space devoted to unnecessary illustrations or
be patent to all.
Such a treatise as "The Player-Piano Up-to- the technical catalog will lose half its value wide margins, and large type may be given up
Date," for mentioning which we shall, as its from the outset. It is hard to see that one to this sort of general information, for which
publishers, be pardoned, undoubtedly forms the should assume an entire ignorance of pneumatic many a perplexed tuner will bless the com-
best introduction to the subject of player me- principles to exist among one's readers. Yet pilers, and which will help to create for the
chanics that one can have; for it is broad and this must be done. The successful technical manufacturer a kindly and grateful feeling that
general in its treatment and contains no matter catalog, then, must contain some description of he must find coming back to him sooner or
calculated to give an impression of unfairness the principles on which all player mechanisms later in a substantial manner.
The above brief remarks are made out of a
or of bias. All player actions by it are treated operate, illustrated by drawings showing the in-
rather
wide experience in practical work, teach-
side
of
one's
own
player
mechanism
with
the
as machines whose sole interest to the reader is
in their mechanical features and the problems meaning of each part and its duties set forth ing and copy-writing, and will therefore at least
each presents in regulation and repair. For clearly. In fact, no technical catalog is worthy be taken as representing something better than
general purposes of education, and as a gen- the name unless it begins with a description mere amateur opinion. .
eral guide to understanding of the art, "The of the player mechanism in its fundamental prin-
AUTOPIANOj^S PRIZE
Player-Piano Up-to-Date" fills its purpose bet- ciples, based on the general idea of describing
in
simplest
language
how
all
players
operate.
ter than any other book yet published.
Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. Now Conducting
Such a preliminary chapter need be neither
Popularity Contest in Philadelphia—Player
But for the purposes of the individual manu-
Being Exhibited in Snellenburg Department
facturer anxious mainly to spread information long nor elaborate; but it does need to be ac-
about the technical features of his own goods curate and clear. The inaccurate use of such
The Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. is now
the situation is quite different. What he needs words as "vacuum," "suction," "wind," is to be
is a comparatively inexpensive pamphlet which condemned, as well as the habit of using a conducting a contest to determine the most
can be made up in very large quantities with- sort of specially invented technical terminology popular person in Philadelphia. The first prize
out involving a prohibitive cost, and which for parts which other manufacturers unite in in this contest is an Autopiano, manufactured
shall be devoted to a brief and quite describing by some other name or names. A by the Autopiano Co., Fifty-first street and
simple statement of the manner in which his great deal of confusion exists through lack of Twelfth avenue, New York. During this contest
the instrument receives widespread publicity
player operates, together with instructions as accurate technical language in the art.
The principles set forth in this way should be and will be on exhibition in the piano depart-
to taking down, reassembling, regulating and re-
pairing. Such a pamphlet is usually known as illustrated preferably by photographs of the ac- ment of N. Snellenburg & Co., the Philadelphia
a "technical catalog." Its use ought strictly to tion in section, with the air-passages in some representatives of the Autopiano.
This is one of a series of popularity contests
be confined to tuners and practical men. It contrasting color, as black, against the light
should not be accessible to the general public, colors of the wood, etc. In this way the en- which has been conducted by this large tobacco
for the general public are much better off when tire operation of the mechanism from the foot- firm, and in each instance the Autopiano has
they keep unaccustomed fingers far away from pressure opening the exhaust bellow to the col- been featured as the first prize.
lapse of the pneumatic, can be illustrated
player-pianos.
FILMMUSIC CO. IS INCORPORATED
Now the first essential in preparing a tech- clearly.
Some
Important
Details
SAN
FRANCISCO, CAL., January 22.—A merger of
nical catalog is to understand its purpose. That
The next requisite is plenty of detail. That the Masteroll Perforating Machine Co. and the
purpose is to convey to the mind of tuners as
much information about the construction and is to say, the action should be shown in all its Filmmusic Co. has been completed, the new
care of players as will enable them to make details, and in every condition in which the tuner corporation being known as the Filmmusic Co.,
such adjustments and repairs as may be neces- may have to place it. The following illustra- Inc. The officers of the new concern are: Pres-
sary. Neither more nor less than this is needed. tions should be given, together with adequate ident, Chas. Bradshaw; vice-president and gen-
On the one hand, we do not require an elab- and suitable descriptive matter in each case. eral manager, F. L. Grannis, and secretary, E.
orate treatise designed to show the superior The general detail of the mechanism should fol- P. Simons. The concern will specialize in
synchronizing music for motion pictures.
qualities of the player from an engineering low the preliminary explanation of principle:

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