Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
MUSIC TRADE
PLAYER SECTON
NEW YORK, MAY 29, 1920
^JJiy^'t^'l^l^l^l^^Jl^l^l^i^l^l^Jl^liSj^^ i
^Iff^B^ifflfaiifglJfSlff^lff^ffl^gl??^
The Player-Piano Is Undoubtedly the Best Instrument for Use in Great In-
dustrial Concerns Where the Value of "Music in Industry" Is Being Recog-
nized as a Real Factor in Creating Greater Efficiency Among the Workers
Music in industry is to-day a phrase to con-
jure with, but like all phrases it is likely to be
mistaken for the reality which it embodies. It
will not do to go crazy over an idea which we
do not understand or to imagine that the music
industries have found a short and easy way to
wealth and prosperity without any necessity
for study and preparation.
Great industrial corporations are at the mo-
ment undergoing a very considerable change of
opinion in respect of a good many ideas which
they have until now held sacred. They are all
suffering from a greater or lesser lack of suitable
labor. They are all finding out that the labor
they have or are likely to get is in a position
where it can demand bettered conditions all
round. To the credit of big business, it may
be said that in general there is no disposition
to object. The only question is how prac-
tically can betterments be made.
Labor and "Welfare"
"Welfare work" is not unfamiliar to indus-
trial managers, but it is not welfare work which
is wanted to-day. Among the many ideas which
have in the past been suggested and carried
out in respect of welfare work, the use of music
stands out in the front rank. But the use of
music must to-day be considered in a new light.
In considering what use music may have in
industry, we have to understand • at the start
that labor to-day wants to have pleasant con-
ditions arranged for it, but does not want them
as a matter of favor or grace. It wants them
as a matter of right. One of the first points
is that music should be put at the disposal of
the working forces of large plants in such a
way that they may use it during recreation
periods, at meal times and for informal dances,
social affairs and choral activities.
Now, it must be remembered that wherever
this sort of work is being done successfully it
is being done on the initiative of the employes
themselves, or at least in such a way that the
entire management is in the hands of the em-
ployes. Where a club of employes has been
organized and is functioning successfully it is
certain that there will be a demand for an in-
formal meeting place where the workers of
either sex can rest, read or amuse themselves.
This means that music in some form is abso-
lutely essential.
Enter the Player-Piano
\ The player-piano is by far the best instru-
ment for general use in such circumstances.
The employes themselves should be the users
and managers, if possible the purchasers, of
such an instrument. But the. management
usually must be, first, interested, and then con- To industrial managers everywhere, the prob-
vinced, before anything effective can be done. lem of obtaining high-grade help, and retain-
Why is the player-piano the best of all possible ing it when it has been obtained, is of increas-
instruments for general industrial use? First ing difficulty. All sorts of baits are being of-
of all, because it is the one instrument which fered, but it is being realized that none of
anyone caa play—actually play, not merely start these can have much effect unless the employ-
in operation. Secondly, because the actioi of ing company has a reputation for fairness and,
the operator in playing it can be modified to especially to-day, a scheme of industrial rela-
such a degree that the performance involves tions which will satisfy the workers. Unless
personal expressions to no small extent. some such condition prevails efforts to ma'cc
Thirdly, because it has a power and volume of work attractive will not count for much.
tone which suit it for large spaces and en- Where, however, the management is in earnest,
able a crowd of several hundred persons to and really intends to solve its problems per-
dance or sing with it quite easily. Lastly, be- manently, the music question becomes very im-
cause it is also a piano and can therefore be portant. The piano merchant who goes to talk
used by the local talent of the plant who may over such a subject with an industrial executive
wish to display their skill at the keyboard.
will do well to make sure that his hearers are
It is obvious that with all these advantages disposed to listen seriously to him, as one who
there should be no question whatever as to the comes with an offer to suggest a practical help
player-piano being the only musical instrument in industrial relations. If his hearers are seri-
for general use in the rest rooms, the recreation ous men who think, and not mere bullies who
halls, the club rooms or what not of industrial want to drive, they will listen. But there must
be more than the mere suggestion. That alone
plants or great business offices. The only
question is as to the proper means of acli'iig will not solve the problem. There must be,
in addition, some real and practical knowledge.
such instruments.
The man who goes to "sell" an executive on
Practical Points
We have said that industrial managers are .the idea of music in industry must study the
coming to see that the workers do not want subject and be prepared to show how an appro-
welfare activities. The bettered conditions they priation can be applied to practical ends. Al-
ask not as a privilege but as a right. Conse- most every executive will listen, but none will
quently there is a tendency on the part of listen very long if only vague generalities are-
many, if not most, managers to leave these talked.
matters to the committees of the workers,
The Practical Side of the Question
merely letting it be known that the company
It is not necessary, however, that the sugges-
in each case is prepared to set off rooms or tions made should be confined to vague gen-
erect a building for their benefit. In a good eralities. There are many practical points set
many cases which could be mentioned, clubs forth above of which due use may be made. On
have been formed amongst the workers, and the whole the best entrance is through the
dances have been started during noon hours. dance route. That is to say, the company which
Soon, if the executives are wise, some one is wishes to utilize the power of music in the
discovered to have the ability to train, or rather working day, to alleviate strain and soothe
to lead, singers. That some one, with a little nerves, as a preliminary to establishing a better
encouragement, will quickly have a chorus state of feeling which is to be maintained in
started, usually in the most informal manner, the future on fair and* equitable principles, can-
but none the less effectively for that. With not do better than throw open opportunities for
the use of music thus extended, a permanent its employes to have a good time in informal
chorus, singing classes, a brass band, even an groups through the power of informal music.
orchestra, not to mention dancing classes, have The other developments will then work out by
been started and. successfully carried on in themselves, so long as the opening is judiciously
many great plants by clubs of the workers. made and the employes themselves are assured
The American Steel & Wire Co. has had some that they are not being patronized.
most valuable experience along these lines and
We respectfully recommend to music mer-
so have various others who might be mentioned. chants that they study this subject and think
The Retail Viewpoint
out ways and means for putting up to industrial
The music merchant who is thinking of open- executives the great possibilities for mutual
ing up this field in his community will be well profit which we have here simply introduced
advised to study the whole matter very carcun'y. in bare outline.