Music Trade Review

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MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
Conducted By Thomas W. Bresnahan
"Harmonica as an Important Factor in
Musical Education" Issued by M. Hohner
New Book on the Musical Value of This Instrument Contains Wide Variety of Evi-
dence of Work Which It Has Done for Music Advancement
P R O P A G A N D A for the development and
* furtherment of harmonica playing in the
school is advanced by the publicity department
of M. Hohner, Inc., New York, in that inter-
esting pamphlet just published entitled: "The
Harmonica as an Important Factor in Musical
Education."
The pamphlet is prepared in a very readable
style with unique illustrations and high-class
typography throughout. The cover page car-
ries a picture of the famous Philadelphia Har-
monica Band, and the next page is a reproduc-
tion of the central portion of the colored in-
struction chart designed for class teaching.
Sprinkled throughout the book are illustra-
tions of harmonica bands and orchestras in
schools and institutions throughout the country,
a photograph of Abraham Lincoln with his
notable comments on the harmonica, and a pic-
ture of John Philip Sousa leading the Phila-
delphia Harmonica Band.
There are a number of imposing testimonials
to the value of the.harmonica by leaders of the
nation's thought including John Philip Sousa,
Irving Berlin, Peter Dykema, professor of
Musical Education of Columbia University; Cap-
tain Santelmann, leader of the United States
Marine Band; Albert M. Hoxie, Jr., musical di-
rector of the Boy Council of Philadelphia;
Nathaniel Shilkret, musical director of Victor
Talking Machine Co.; C. H. English, director
Bureau of Recreation Board of Education,
Chicago, and Nathaniel Finston, music director
of Publix Theatres.
The Contest
An idea of the type of material presented in
the pamphlet may be obtained from the fol-
lowing:
"That educators throughout the country
realize the education significance and almost un-
limited possibilities of the harmonica as a musi-
cal instrument is proved by the fact that one
school after another is introducing it into its
curriculum. In fact, hundreds of schools now
have their own Harmonica Orchestra, and each
day the number increases.
"The harmonica has truly ascended the ladder
of popularity and it is now held up, and truth-
fully, too, as a decisive factor in the shaping of
the lives of the youth of the land and inculcating
a musical taste and appreciation in young
America which will lead to a proper love of
music. As a moral force, and still further, as a
great social value, the harmonica is doing won-
derful work.
"Practically all children have a love for music
and every boy and girl has a natural yearning
to play the harmonica, for it affords inspiration,
education, recreation, happiness, health and
musical accuracy. The harmonica is the only
instrument of its kind and size that gives per-
fect intonation without musical knowledge or
ability on the part of the performer. Consider
the convenience of its size. What other musical
instrument can one conveniently carry in his
pocket anywhere he might go, always ready for
the production of 'beautiful melody? With the
harmonica, when a boy wants music he simply
takes it from his pocket and plays. He does not
have to tune it. It is already in perfect tune.
He can't make a mistake as to tone because the
tone of each reed is fixed.
"Played at the time of life when his first musi-
cal ideas are being formed, he may have no defi-
nite musical ear, no conception of musical
values, but the harmonica indelibly registers on
his mind tones which are absolutely true.
Ease in Playing
"Then there is the ease with which the girl
and boy can learn to play. A harmonica re-
quires a certain degree of skill before it can be
played well, but any one can acquire it, and in
learning to play it affords genuine pleasure.
There are none of the long arduous hours of
practice as are required in learning to play the
more difficult musical instruments.
"In a day or two the student is adept at run-
ning the scale, which is all he needs to know for
the playing of simple melodies. After that he
can develop his own ability to as high a degree
as he wishes. Regardless of the ability of a
person to "carry a tune" vocally, by playing the
Hohner Harmonica according to directions, he
is able to render any selection accurately, and
in so doing he has the proper tone to the last
vibration.
"The Harmonica affords the simplest means of
providing the fundamentals essential to a
knowledge of music. And so it is that musical
authorities the country over advocate its use in
the elementary study of music.
"The Harmonica may be found in the play-
grounds and recreation centers throughout the
country, providing not alone recreation and
pleasure, but most profitable pastime. The or-
ganization of Harmonica Orchestras in these
places has proven an excellent moral force in
the upbuilding of the community and invariably
proved a constructive factor, this being testified
to by noted authorities.
"Educators in all fields of endeavor have been
quick to sense the potential possibilities of the
Harmonica and have been responsible for bring-
ing it into our system of education, believing
there is no cultural advancement like music and
no musical development can have a permanent
foundation unless it incites an inherent love for
the art and a firmly implanted desire for true
expression. Not alone does the Harmonica pro-
vide music; it gives the child an appealing in-
centive for musical expression; it develops the
child's ear for music and puts him on the proper
paths to a serious interest in the art.
"The Harmonica opens the door of the child's
heart and brain to music and paves the way for
development of interest in the major members
of the musical instrument family. Aside from
all the remarkable attributes of this instrument,
there is one outstanding fact: the Harmonica
is one of the vital necessities in this modern
day when so much thought and attention are
being given to the cause of making America
more musical.
"It may be truly said that the Harmonica is do-
ing more to-day in effecting the musical tran-
sition of Young America than any other me-
dium.
Instructors need not know how to play the
Harmonica themselves. In many of the schools
where some of the best Harmonica Orchestras
form a part of the regular curriculum the pupils
are taught through the use of the piano. Ac-
cordingly, there should be no cause to hesitate
in carrying on the Harmonica activities even
though the instructor is not an apt performer
on the Harmonica.
"Sometimes it is possible to secure the as-
sistance of a good Harmonica player who will
be of value in demonstrating the mechanical
operation and to show how the manipulation of
the hands over the instrument may be employed
to produce tone quality, expression and tech-
nique. Perhaps in your city, if not in
your own school, there can be found some one
who would volunteer his services in this con-
structive work.
Letters of Endorsement
"Numerous letters of endorsement from super-
intendents, principals and educators of the
largest colleges, high schools, public, private
and parochial schools are on record, expressing
their admiration and gratification of the work
that is being accomplished through the use of
the Harmonica in the foundation of their pupils'
musical education. The Harmonica is an in-
strument that embodies every feature of a con-
structive character, and having this reputation,
it is endorsed by the highest authorities in
every field of endeavor. Hohner Harmonicas
are scientifically manufactured so that positive
assurance of the tonal standard, 440-A, is guar-
anteed."
Takes Conn Line
EAST LIVERPOOL, O., May 31.—The Conn line of
band instruments has been installed by Olen
Dawson in the new store of the Dawson Music
Co., 104 West Fifth street, East Liverpool,
Ohio. In recent weeks Mr. Dawson has been
exploiting Conn merchandise in his newspaper
advertising and in effective window trims.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
fiee of charge for men who desire positions.
DRTTSCH
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