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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION
(Continued from page 3)
We serve no special interest; but we know that the general interest of the trade demands the solution
of this question. It must be solved; for if it is not solved, it will seriously damage the future prospects of
the piano and player business.
In a word, the time is come for the trade to consider seriously the organization of some sort of system
of national technical training for young men fitted to become piano tuners.
Is it not possible to organize a conference for the study of this great question? Could not the present
tuning schools, the manufacturers, the dealers and the tuners themselves undertake through a representative
committee to study these questions? For they are of essential importance, and they will never be settled save
by the co-operation of all the interests affected by them.
This is not a question for the manufacturers alone, for the tuners alone, or for the merchants alone.
It is an all-trade question; and as such must be treated.
A National System of Technical Training for the Piano Trade; long and portentous title to w r hat is yet
but an idea! Yet if that idea does not soon show signs of becoming a fact, the piano business will begin to
realize that something is wrong.
paragraph when he says that musical events could be made finan-
salesman, be he an individual or corporation with large advertising
cially successful were the piano dealers to join hands to the end
appropriation, should argue music and the necessity and benefit of
that pianists have the aggregate support of every piano store in
its intelligent -pursuit and study at every opportunity.
the town visited, instead of the help of possibly one or two. Ln
Mr. Stotler also points out in a very timely way what teachers
this connection he suggests the elimination of artists's endorsements,
must do to elevate their profession, and he makes a very important
at least in window card advertising, so that dealers as a whole may
point when he says:
unite in stimulating interest in piano recitals on the broad grounds
"The music teacher must recognize the player-piano as an
that the greater the interest in music the more it means in the end
educator and ear trainer, must remember that few musicians have
for the benefit of the industry.
been developed except by the constant hearing of music, and that
Mr. Stotler's article should have the most careful reading. It
the player-piano offers this possibility. A player-piano owner, who
is not the view of a theorist, but rather a man practical and active,
has good music thrust on him, will ultimately learn to like it, and
who has the courage to break away from traditions and analyze
will instinctively wish to create music himself. Player-pianos make
conditions as they exist. It is constructive suggestion of this kind,
new music lovers and prospective piano students. Would a serious
coming from a man of the type of Mr. Stotler, that should help
man, visiting a home where there were growing children, advise the
to take this industry out of a rut, and enable it to effect the reforms
parents to throw out the library because he saw on one of the
that will add to its strength and stability.
shelves a row of yellow back novels? His duty would be to sug-
gest other and good literature. The music teacher and player-piano
HIS is the age when new ideas are at a premium, and the
present the same situation. The player cannot be condemned
salesman or other employe of a piano house who can bring
because trashy music is played on it. The teacher's opportunity is •
himself to the habit of offering suggestions for the improvement
to call the owner's attention to the vast library of wonderful music
of the business with which he is connected will find himself
at his command. Every music teacher should understand how to
becoming more and more valuable to his house. There are those
operate a player-piano, and be able to suggest good music rolls,
who will say, "Well, I haven't the ability to offer suggestions
which are educational."
regarding the management, or other administrative matters. I
Nobody can read this article of Mr. Stotler's without recogniz-
don't seem to have the talent for that sort of thing."
ing that he is a man of broad vision, who has at heart the very best
The fact of the matter is that the men who offer this ex-
interests of the industry. He points out a number of weaknesses
cuse have never attempted to cultivate this habit, for it is
in the trade body which might be eliminated for the benefit of the
largely a matter of cultivation as much as anything else.
industry. His catholicity of ideas is best illustrated in his closing
T
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