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Jur.Y 17, 1920
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
the upright is solely due to two leading rea-
sons: The effort to minimize space and econ-
omy of cost. This latter instrument, therefore,
perpetually remains a separate, independent,
By WALTER C. HEPPERLA, President, Premier Grand Piano Corp., New York
non-correlated unit and there is nothing that
can
be done gracefully and successfully to
of
her
refined
and
harmoniously
appointed
home.
The tonal superiority of the small grand piano,
In magazines and periodicals of the day the merge the upright with the other elements con-
its architectural attractiveness, its grace and
dignity of appearance—these distinctive features attractive baby grand is again and again a stituting the room furnishings of the tasteful
have been accentuated and emphasized since feature of leading illustrated articles depicting and attractive home of to-day.
What a decided contrast is offered in the
room scenes of charm and elegance. This
the very inception of this type of instrument.
The small grand piano as the leading factor instrument is actually the concrete expression small grand, which, because of the very sym-
in beautifying the home's interior, enhancing of the latest and most artistic effects in room metry of its graceful, dignified lines, just fits
in with whatever scheme of room furnishings is
the charm of the furnishings, blending perfectly
chosen. The contours and size of the small
with its surroundings in any scheme of room
grand are of a character to make it blend per-
decorative effects—such facts as these have
fectly with its surroundings, to elevate the gen-
been more lightly dwelled upon. It is these
eral appearance of the room as well, and. last
particular and greatly desired features, com-
but not least, the space required does not ex-
bined with the restricted space requirements of
ceed that of the conventional upright.
the modern baby grand, that have promoted
As we review the remarkable influence of the
the enormous demand to-day existing and which
small grand piano and its far-reaching effect the
have created a large measure of the tremen-
country over, we must also award it the
dous vogue for this acknowledged king of piano-
laurels for another proud distinction—besides
fortes.
being the biggest single factor in "beautifying
A handsome little grand piano sets the pace
the modern American home, it is unquestion-
for beauty, grace and symmetry. The commend-
ably, too, the biggest single factor in making
able present-day striving for beauty in the
the United States the most musical country in
home has an all-powerful ally in this type of
the world.
instrument. A simple, pleasing effect is now
universally sought, combined with an artistic
Consult the universal Want Directory of
atmosphere. The noble little grand p'ano is in-
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
variably found to be the keynote of the effect
free of charge for men who desire positions
required—the central idea around which the
of any kind.
decorative plan is built. What a happy relief
from the jangling, garish and bizarre tendencies
of the old days when the one ambition was
to crowd and clutter up each room with ir-
American
relevant and unrelated objects of art and utility.
Nowadays, when the lady of the home strives
to make it more beautiful, she pictures a small
Walter C. Hepperla
grand of artistic lines and dainty proportions,
"PERFECTED" "CROWN"
as occupying the supreme place in her parlor settings. The self-same tendency is noted in the
or drawing room. Her vision embraces the illustrated advertisements of the present day. I
other units of the furnishings of the same room: recall a recent advertisement of a prominent
Highest acoustic excellence dating
the small grand elevates the entire tendency for varnish manufacturer whose entire argument
a high grade artistic atmosphere pervading the (both word and picture) was built around the
back to the days of Jonas
sentiment enveloping the grand piano.
household throughout.
Chickering. Took prize over whole
The
modern
stage
again
exemplifies
the
im-
Such is the powerful and uplifting influence
portance
of
the
small
grand
in
room
scenes
of this instrument. The supreme place in the
world at Paris, 1900. For
home is occupied by the baby grand. The "baby expressive of culture and refined atmosphere,
generations
the standard, and used
grand corner" is where the spirit of the home plus that natural charm and elegance which
are
exclusively
grand
piano
attributes.
on the greatest number of pianos
and the spirit of music find their greatest
The all-persuasive motion picture films further
development and fullest expression.
in the world
The artistic grand of small dimensions and intensify the dominating force of the baby grand.
reasonable cost has been an invaluable factor It is always this type of instrument which is
in imparting an artistic atmosphere to many shown in the homes where culture and quality
homes and this was obviously impossible when reign.
The enumeration of the foregoing obvious
the grand was large in size and large in price,
facts has a direct bearing on the salesman
besides.
Another highly important item—the saving selling small grands and conveys a message of
in the purchase cost of the reasonably priced great importance to him.
When the salesman presents the small grand
small grand—has enabled Milady to divert this
Modern organ mechanism is of wire.
saving of several hundred dollars toward car- in his selling arguments he is at the very top
rying out the proper decorative features for the notch of his selling form, so to speak, and he
Round and flat wire; springs; wire
makes an impression that is characterized by in-
other rooms of her home.
rope; reinforcing wire; electrical wires,
Of course, it goes without saying that the telligence, constructive effort and high caliber
such as Americore rubber-covered for
throughout.
Such
experience
and
training
nat-
standard for tlrese latter decorative effects is
conveyance of current; magnet wire,
established by the small grand which she se- urally has a wholesome and salutary influence
silk-insulated, for releasing wind to
lected as the outstanding and central theme on his arguments relating to the other lines
his house carries. Musical merchandising gen-
pipes;
paraffined cotton-insulated, for
erally, therefore, gets the benefit of an impetus
connecting keyboards with stop action;
in the right direction—an elevation and not a
destructive, contrary effect.
console cables.
What more significantly illustrates a truly
"American Piano Wire and Pipe Organ
musical atmosphere in the merchants' ware-
News," "Wood and the Piano Build-
rooms than an extensive display of baby
for the finest
grands? Such an exhibit unconsciously reflects,
ers' Art," also "Piano Tone
in addition, the character of the musical taste
Building"—sent free
of the community. Where the community is
Services of our Acoustic Engineer
particularly musical there is an unusually large
percentage of grands to be found. As culture
always available—free
widens and increases, the predominating de-
mand for the grand is the natural consequence.
How can we even picture, in our broadest
American Steel &Wire
imagination, the harmonious blending of the
AMERICAN PHOTO
upright piano with the room furnishings of the
Company
PLAYER CO.
well-appointed home of to-day? The graceful
Acoustic
Department
fittings of the modern home must of necessity
208
S.
La
Salle
Street, Chicago
San Francisco
New York
disregard the upright as being in the scheme
of
furnishings
because
of
its
entire
lack
of
Chicago
graceful lines. The architectural appearance of
SMALL GRANDS J^ND AMERICAN HOMES
P
iano Wire
P
ipe Organ
Wire
FOTOPLAYER
Motion Picture
Theatres