Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1927 Vol. 84 N. 1

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND
John H. Wilson,^Representative, 324 Washington St., Boston, Mass.
OSTON, MASS., December 28.—The year Willard, Miss Dora Leonard, Miss Mabel Cook
is home from the South where he went on a
1926 will be a thing of the past when this and Mrs. Marjorie Wood.
hunting trip with a party of friends, their des-
periodical is being read. Just what the
tination being several miles south of Pinehurst,
Chickering & Sons Staff Celebrates
twelve months have produced in the way of
N. C. Soon after stocktaking at the Harvey
The retail staff of Chickering & Sons ware-
business is now not of so much concern as rooms had a jolly party the day before the holi-
house, E. A. Cressey plans to go over to New
what the future-twelve months have in store. day and late in the afternoon dancing was en- York for a few days' outing.
One hesitates to be pessimistic, for there are joyed as one of the features of the Christmas
Harry Crooker Pleased With Year
always those who seize this note and press observance. There also were refreshments.
Harry Crooker, of the A. M. McPhail Co.,
down the key harder than they will the note of
Big Orthophonic at Steinert's
feels that he has had a pretty good year, all
optimism. Yet facts are facts, and it is to be
The new Auditorium Orthophonic, the new things considered. The last three months, he
hoped that when final accounts are seen in their Victor instrument, got a splendid demonstration says, showed up pretty well and now that every-
true perspective—for these are stock-taking to-day at M. Steinert & Sons where the loud thing has got nicely adjusted, for it is not easy
days—the situation will be shown not to be speaker was set up over the main entrance. to get into the old rut after the process of mov-
quite so bad as they now seem. Locally there Despite a nasty, rainy afternoon, groups gath- ing, he feels that everything is ready to meet
were a few houses that had a wholesome spurt ered at frequent intervals to listen to the music, all that business may press upon the house. Mr.
of business for a week before Christmas, but which could be heard way into the Common Crooker is planning a trip to New York soon
they were indeed few. Let everybody whoop across the street.
after New Year's, and later he will start on a
it up for bigger things in 1927; change the
more comprehensive trip covering a wider range
W. A. Harvey Home from South
atmosphere and press for actuality.
Winthrop A. Harvey, of the C. C. Harvey Co., of territory.
Good Year for Poole Co.
The Poole Piano Co. will begin stock-taking
tion, has developed a successful adaptation of
right after New Year's. The year, according to
the unexcelled reproducing powers of the
Ava W. Poole, has shown up pretty well on
Welte-Mignon (Licensee) electric action to a
the whole, and the factory output has found its
foot-propelled action for upright pianos. T o
way into the hands of many old and several
President of Auto Pneumatic Action Co. Re- bring the new action within the price range
new dealers.
ports That Both Dealers and Manufacturers of the player and to make the action pump
Ivers & Pond for U. S. S. Marblehead
Have Received New Action Most Favorably easily were the two outstanding difficulties
The citizens of Marblehead have just pre-
which had to be overcome to make this new
sented a new piano to the crew of the U. S. S.
Marblehead which is now tied up at the Charles-
W. C. Heaton, president of the Auto Pneu- action commercially desired.
"These have been accomplished most success-
town Navy Yard. The old piano, make un- matic Action Co., who recently presented the
known, became so unusable, that it was thrown new foot-operated Welte-Mignon (Licensee) fully. The new foot-operated Welte-Mignon
overboard, and, of course, a new instrument had action to the trade, has declared himself most (Licensee) action is 'foolproof—even in the
to take its place, so the citizens of the old his- enthusiastic regarding the manner in which the hands of the veriest novice it would play with
toric town got the money together and, looking new action has been received and commented beautiful expression, while the difference in
around for the right instrument, selected an upon by dealers and manufacturers alike, many price as compared with the usual player action
Ivers & Pond upright in fumed oak finish. The of whom have made inquiries for detailed in- is negligible.
"It is believed the new foot-operated Welte-
presentation was made a few days ago. The formation regarding the new foot-propelled
Mignon (Licensee) action opens a large, new
Ivers & Pond Co. is planning to place a fac- action for upright pianos.
simile of the upright in the window of its
"It has long been realized in the trade that, market because of its special features, and that
Boylston street warerooms with a card which although the better type of player action af- it will do this without interrupting the present
will toll the story.
fords full scope for expressive playing and is demand for players among that part of the
Holiday Reminders
widely used by people of a certain musical ap- population professing a fair understanding of
Handsome Christmas reminders have been re- preciation, nevertheless there exists a still music. In fact, with intelligent selling, this
ceived from several local houses, these includ- larger class of people who cannot successfully new foot-pump Welte-Mignon (Licensee) ac-
ing the Poole Piano Co., the Continental operate the usual type of player, because they tion should materially help t o stabilize the
Piano Co., the B. F. Wood Music Co. and from lack a true sense of musical values. They have market for present types of player-pianos by
Banks M. Davison, of the White, Smith Co.
no 'ear for music,' and for that reason they reducing the number who play them badly and
Fire in Show Window
play atrociously upon pianos equipped even who are now hurting the demand for.players,
H. & A. Selmer, Inc., at 488 Boylston street, with the best player actions—actions which, in and even in some measure for the straight type
which handles the Conn band instruments, suf- the hands of a music-lover with a natural ear of piano."
fered a fire in its show window the day before for music, can be made to render delightful
Christmas, the fire having got under some head- service. Hence, too often, potential sales in a
Sell The
way while the patrons were making purchases neighborhood are killed by someone unable to
inside. The fire department was called and the do justice to the possibilities of the player-
"ART LINE"
blaze soon put out with comparatively small piano he has purchased.
loss.
and
"To reach the enormous market of the non-
Continental Co. Girls Have Party
musical and half-musical and to conquer the
Increase Your Profits
The girls of the Continental Piano Co. offices growing prejudice of the truly musical against
held an enjoyable Christmas party on the eve- the present type of player action, was the chief
Write for Catalog.
ning of December 22. Twenty-five took part and motive behind the experiments which have been
there was a supper following games.
Miss conducted during 'the last four' years by the
The Art Novelty Co.
Dorothy Willard distributed gifts. The com- Auto Pneumatic Action Co. In the laboratories
STYLE NO. 125
Goshen, Ind.
mittee having charge of the details of the party of the Auto Pneumatic Action Co., through
> 168 Rolls
consisted of Miss Jean Hurley, Miss Dorothy these years of quiet research and experimenta-
B
W.'C. Heaton Enthusiastic
Over Foot-Propelled Action
%
ESTABLISHED 1662
fa
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UAUTER
NEWARK, N. J .
—-
MANUFACTURERS OF PIANOS OF QUALITY
GRANDS
UPRIGHTS
THE LAUTER-HUMANA
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Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
12
Baltimore Music Dealer Finds Old Time
Teacher's Passing Has Effect on Sales
Disappearance of That Type Has Been at Basis of Falling Off in Demand for Uprights, He States
—Local Holiday Trade Reported in Good Volume
D A L T I M O R E , M D , December 27.—Is the
passing of the old-time music teacher, prin-
cipally of German extraction, responsible for the
slump in sales of upright pianos the past few
years?
Quite a number of music dealers here believe
that the high prices now charged by music
teachers for the past few years have seriously
affected the sales of upright pianos. In com-
menting on this situation o'ne prominent deal-
er said:
"There is no doubt in my mind that the pass-
ing of the old-time German music teacher who
went from door to door soliciting customers and
gave music lessons at the homes of his patrons
has had an effect on the sale of upright pianos.
And I base this opinion on facts and figures. In
looking over my books, for years past, I found
that I had paid as high as $1,000 a year as
commission to music teachers on sales of up-
right pianos. These old-time music teachers
charged, on an average, only 50 cents an hour
for teaching, while the minimum charge to-day
is $1.00 an hour. In addition music teachers,
in years gone by, would make personal solicita-
tion for pupils by going to the homes instead of
advertising as they do now. In this way they
often made prospects for us in homes where
they had no pianos, by interesting the parents
in the advantages of a musical education for the
children.
"At one time there were quite a number of
these teachers, both men and women, and deal-
ers allowed them a commission on sales which
were made directly or indirectly through them.
"Being trained musicians they were able to
make a convincing talk on the advantages of
children being instructed in music and in this
way were responsible for many sales which
otherwise would not have been made.
"This has all been changed, however, since
the war. To-day there is hardly a competent
music teacher in Baltimore who will take pupils
for less than $1.00 an hour, and from that on
tip to $3 an hour. This naturally makes it im-
possible for a large number of the middle class
to give their children a musical education out-
side of the bare rudiments taught in the schools,
as the prices charged by the teachers are pro-
hibitive to thousands of wage earners. An-
other feature of present-day conditions which
has seriously affected the business is that only
a few of the teachers to-day are willing to go
to the homes of their patrons and give lessons,
which naturally prevents a number of young
children from taking lessons as parents are un-
willing to let them travel alone and haven't the
time to go with them themselves. All this has
had a reaction.
"This situation, of course, does not apply to
the wealthy who have automobiles and servants
to take care of the children, but there are
thousands of the so-called middle class who
would gladly purchase a piano and give their
children a musical education if the music teach-
ers' charges were not so prohibitive."
Christmas business in pianos staged a won-
derful come-back this year, and according to
proprietors of several establishments, was one
of the best in years. High-priced instruments
sold the best, with grands leading, and repro-
ducing grands also sold in a very good sales
volume.
One of the surprises of Christmas business
this year was the demand in one or two stores
for player pianos, the proprietor of one store
stating that sales of players the last ten days
of the holiday season has been greater than in
any period for a number of years.
Sales of uprights were not up to the average,
but business generally, as far as dollars and
cents volume is concerned, held its own with
previous years, equaling last December, which
was a good business, month. As usual "last-
minute" sales proved the deciding factor and no
doubt brought business for the year to a par
with 1925.
Sales of talking machines and radios broke
records in practically all stores and total
volume of Christmas sales greatly exceeded that
of any other year since the record-breaking
business which was done at the peak of war
time prosperity when it was not a case of
price but simply delivering the goods.
The highest class player
actions in the world
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J
N EW YO RK
JANUARY 1, 1927
Specht Units to Make
Over Two Hundred Records
Organization Controlled by Popular Orchestra
Leader Has Elaborate Program Laid Out for
Next Year for Exclusive Columbia Records
More than two hundred recordings will be
made, by units controlled by Paul Specht, for
the Columbia Phonograph Co., in the United
States and England, during the coming year.
The Specht recordings will include both con-
cert and dance numbers. The Paul Specht
Orchestra now playing at Twin Oaks restaurant
in New York will make a series of thirty-six
recordings including a number of novelty num-
bers for the Columbia concert list. The initial
record will be the popular Specht arrangement
of "Scenes from the South." The Georgians,
a Hot Blues unit of seven pieces, will make
eleven recordings of popular jazz music.
In England band units controlled by this en-
terprising musician will record some hundred
and fifty numbers for the Columbia Grapho-
phone Company, Limited, of that country.
The Review Acknowledges
Trade's Holiday Greetings
The Review takes pleasure in acknowledging
and reciprocating the many expressions of
good wishes from members of the trade, for
the holiday season and for the coming year.
Among those from whom timely messages
were received may be included the following:
W. C. Heaton, Auto Pneumatic Action Co.; Otto
F. Trefz, Jr., Charles E. Byrne, Steger & Sons
Piano Mfg. Co.; Matt J. Kennedy; Arthur L.
Wessell, Wessell, Nickel & Gross; J. Fischer
& Bro.; Julius C Witmark, M. Witmark &
Son; Standard Action Co.; Wm. Tonk & Bro.;
Rexford C. Hyre; A. M. Koch, Music Trade
Indicator; A. W. Poole, Poole Piano Co.; E.
Paul Hamilton, L. Bamberger & Co.; C. M.
Tremaine, National Bureau for the Advance-
ment of Music; Miller Music Publishing Co.;
Chas. M. Stieff, Inc.; Continental Piano Co.;
H. Edgar French, Jesse French & Sons Piano
Co.; Bogart Piano Co.; Atwater Kent Mfg.
Co.; Decker & Son, Inc.; Peter F. Meyer,
Piano Trade Magazine; M. Steinert & Sons;
Brinkerhoff Piano Co.; George W. Allen, Mil-
ton Piano Co.; Edward S. Werolin, American
Piano Co.; Lucy Goldsmith Shore; Philip W.
Oetling & Son, Inc.; Willis & Co., Ltd.; Christ-
man Piano Co.; Ernest Urchs, Steinway & Sons;
Rose Valley Co., Inc.; E. F. Bitner, Leo Feist,
Inc.; L. G. Batten, Century Music Publishing
Co.; W. Deane Preston, Jr., B. F. Wood Music
Co.; W. L. Byrnes, Inc.; M. Hohner, Inc.;
Herbert E. Lawrence, Standard Pneumatic Ac-
tion Co.; C. V. Buttelman; Carl B. Shinkman;
Buescher Band Instrument Co.; Miller Piano
Co., Coatesville, Pa.; R. N. Wilson, Waltham
Piano Co.; Edward E. Vidaud, Brambach
Piano Co.; Frederick Sunderman, Gulbransen
Music Roll Corp.; B. Roy Hunt, B. R. Hunt
Mfg. Co.; P. E. Conroy, Conroy Piano Co.;
Gust. Ad. Anderson; the Fairbanks Co.; Frank
B. Sohl, Githens-Sohl Corp.; Waverly Musical
Products Co., Inc.; Progressive Musical Supply
Corp.; Frank Campbell, Gibson, Inc.; Edward
J. Biel; C. G. Conn, Inc.; Henry Pedler & Co.,
Inc., J. J. Morgan; F. A. Wessell, Pianostyle
Music Co., Inc., and A. Merriam.
Plan to Enlarge Scope of
Court of Customs Appeals
WASHINGTON, D. C, December 27.—Legislation
changing the name of the United States Court
of Customs Appeals to the United States Court
of Patent, Trade Mark and Customs Appeals
has been introduced in Congress bv Senator
Metcalf, of Rhode Island.

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