Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
DECEMBER 21, 1918
BAND WANTS TO SELL INSTRUMENTS
MUSICAL SOUNDS AND COLORS
FIX LIMIT ON PIANO BENCH STYLES
Requests for Information From Army Officer
Disclose a New Phase of the Band Instru-
ment Situation During Demobilization
Their Association and Influence the Subject of
Some Interesting Comments—Color Music
Finds Many Doughty Champions
Manufacturers in Convention Favor a Maximum
of Ten Styles for the Future—Also Take Ac-
tion on Other Questions of Interest
An interesting and unusual development of the
demobilization of the various military units now
under way in this country cropped up last week
when an officer of one of the units recently re-
turned from England sought information as to
how to dispose of a set of band instruments own-
ed by his squadron. The outfit was about to be
disbanded, and, inasmjuch as the instruments had
been purchased on money saved from the ration
allotment of the men, it was desired to realize
something on them in order that the men might
have some returns in food or in cash for their
investment. It is known that a goodly number
of military bands were equipped by various
units at their own expense, that bands were not
provided for by Government appropriation, and
as these organizations when disbanding all seek
to dispose of the band instruments it will prob-
ably have a rather interesting effect on the band
instrument market, especially as the supplies of
new instruments are coming along nicely with
war orders canceled and curtailments off.
The association of musical sounds and colors
is usually rated a thing for people whose hyper-
aestheticism ranges toward the elevation of
crankdom. This, we discover, is a grave error.
Color music finds champions in not merely the
healthy but in the very keepers of health, the
men of medicine. We have the following from
the editorial typewriter of the Medical Record:
"During the present war the psychological im-
portance of music has been demonstrated, and
it is now recognized as an essential feature of
the soldier's life. It is therefore of particular
interest just now to note what may be termed a
'new departure' in music; though the idea may
not be new, it has never been put to any exten-
sive practical use, and color music is still more
or less of an unknown quantity.
"Cases are cited of pianists who had been un-
able to memorize and who therefore could not
appear in public, but who by means of color
music committed to memory and played most
advanced and difficult compositions after a few
hours' study of the manuscript. An interesting
story is recorded of a young girl who naturally
associated music and color and when asking for
a particular piece would say that 'pink tune,' or
that 'red tune.'"
It is thought that children with their receptive
minds will be able easily to assimilate this new
teaching, if it can be placed on a teaching basis.
It might even prove a means of elevating the
race by increasing the perception and love of
music.
One of the important accomplishments at the
recent convention of the National Association of
Piano Bench & Stool Manufacturers was the
decision of those present to go on record as
favoring a maximum of ten patterns for any one
manufacturer. The decision was reached after a
special committee had reported on the question
of permanent standards in stool and bench de-
sign, and had cautioned the manufacturers
against a return to the former wasteful produc-
tion methods in vogue before the war. Atten-
tion was called to the fact that, although the
War Industries Board had raised the restriction's
against piano bench production, the board had
also urged that a policy of conservation and
production be followed for some time into the*
future, in order that the business might regain
a safe ^ind norm,al state without confusion.
The bench manufacturers also went on rec-
ord as being convinced of the undesirableness
of knock-down construction, and in favor of
production of the finished article.
After H. W. Bradner, of the Management
vService Co., had spoken on "Conservation in
Production," and shown where costly leaks
could be found in factories, the question of
throw-ins, of giving benches free with pianos
and players, was gone into at length, and a
resolution was passed to the effect that the
manufacturers were opposed to having their
products given away with piano sales.
VIOLIN MAKERS HOLD CONVENTION
PORTLAND, ME., December 14.—A most interest-
ing meeting held in this city recently was the an-
nual session of the Violin Makers' Association
of Maine, held for the purpose of selecting the
finest violin made in the State during the year.
There are probably nearly half a hundred men
in the State who occasionally make a violin or
two as a hobby, and over a dozen of these men
had entries at the convention, where design,
workmanship and musical qualities were all
judged as factors in awarding the final decision.
CHARLIE CHAPLIN RECIPROCATES
Charlie Chaplin received a letter from a cer-
tain manufacturer of musical instruments, pro-
posing to present him with a saxophone pro-
viding he would be photographed with it, and
permit the maker to use the indorsement for
advertising purposes.
Not being particularly
interested in the saxophone but appreciating
the gentleman's courtesy, Mr. Chaplin in part
replied:
"If you happen to have a spare 'Strad' violin
knocking about that you don't want, well, you
might send it on. I will have my picture taken
wilh it, and I will give you a letter to the effect
that I can thoroughly recommend it."
JOINS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Band Instrument Manufacturers' Association Be-
comes Division Member of Chamber
The Band Instrument Manufacturers' Associa-
tion has joined the Music Industries Chamber
of Commerce as a division member.
This makes nine division members and—with
the exception of the talking machine trade—
substantially includes the entire musical instru-
ment industry of America.
JOHNFRIEDRKH&BRO
SEND FOR
OUR
P
I WILL BUY
FOR CASH
Sheet Music and Small Goods
Peate's Music HOUM,
Utica, N. Y.
OLIVER DITSON CO.
Exclusively Whotmsal*
ESTABLISHED 103*
Attractive Specialties
Mddern
BaTABLUHKO ISM
wmm
Manufac-
turers of
Superior Quality MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Victor Distributor*
Victor Disftributora
Ludwig & Ludwig, of 1611 North Lincoln
street, Chicago, 111., drum manufacturers, have
completed work on the large Government con-
tracts which have kept their factory busy dur-
ing the past two years, and have reorganized
their plant to take care of civilian demands. The
capacity of the plant, which was practically dou-
bled about a year ago, will be further increased
next year. The concern have the distinction
of having made drums for every Allied Govenk
incut during the war.
DURRO
AND
STEWART
Largest Wholesale
Musical Merchandise
House in America
Buegeleisen & Jacob son
MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE
T H E OLDEST AND
Ludwig & Ludwig Now Preparing to Devote
Entire Output to Civilian Demands
BOVTQM. MAIS.
Manufacture!*
Imperten and Jckkm at
LARCEST MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE HOUSE
IN AMERICA
DRUM CONTRACTS COMPLETED
'1108 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Established over haJf a <;«nturr
113 University Place
NEW YORK
Black Diamond
Strings
THE WORLD'S BEST
National Musical String Co.
New Brunswick, N. J.