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The Music Trade Review
recognized as being just as essential as the three R's and is placed
on the same basis by the school. This movement, he holds, will
wean parents away from the idea that music is simply a fad and
cause them to regard it as an important educational factor. Once
this idea becomes general the demand for instruments will increase
rapidly. The report, if it does nothing else, should encourage piano
men with the thought that in advocating and working for group
instruction they are proceeding along the proper lines.
REVIEW
(Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
Published on the First of the Month by
Federated Business Publications, Inc.
at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York
Publishers of Antiquarian, Automotive Electricity, India Rubber World, Materials
Handling & Distribution, Music Trade Review, Novelty News, Rug Profits, Sales Man-
agement, Soda Fountain, Radio Music-Merchant, Tires; and operates in association with
Building Investment, Draperies and Tire Rate-Book.
President, Raymond Bill; Vice-Presidents, J. B. SpilLane, Randolph Brown; Secretary
and Treasurer, Edward Lyman Bill; Comptroller, T. J. KeJly; Assistant Treasurer,
Win. A. Low.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
F. L. AVERY, Circulation Manager
RAY BILL, Associate Editor
E. B. MUNCH, Eastern Representative
WESTERN DIVISION: FKANK W. KIRK, Manager
333 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Telephone: State 1266
Telephone: Lexington 1760-71
Cable: Elbill New York
In order to insure proper attention all communications should
be addressed to the publication and not to individuals.
Vol. 89
A
OCTOBER, 1930
10
Business Is On the Mend
S The Review goes to press there is a noticeable im-
provement in the demand for musical instruments as
indicated by orders being received by manufacturers.
This is not to say that there is any strong spurt in business or that
conditions have become normal over night, but it does mean that
retailers are buying more freely and in many cases in larger quanti-
ties, which is taken to indicate that musical instruments are being
moved from wareroom floors into homes. Travelers who have re-
turned from trips through various sections of the country, almost
without exception report a greater interest on the part of dealers.
They are still keeping stocks pared to the 'bone and are buying
from hand to mouth, but nevertheless there is enough retail business
to keep their orders coming to the factories. There are even those
who predict that there will be a shortage of new pianos before the
first of the year, not at all an improbable situation, because of the
curtailment in factory operations that has been made by many
manufacturers. All in all it looks like a good fall and holiday
business, not record-breaking perhaps but nevertheless substantial.
A
OCTOBER, 1930
How an Outsider Views the Trade
T the behest of several prominent piano manufacturers
a business authority of wide reputation and experience
has made an exhaustive study of the general music
business with special reference to the cause of existing conditions
and to future possibilities, and as a result of his unbiased survey
he has rendered a most interesting and illuminating report. He de-
clares, in short, that musical instruments have not been superseded
by other commodities of more modern character as was the horse-
drawn buggy superseded by the automobile, but that the interest
of the public had been allowed to wane largely through lack of
effort on the part of the members of the trade.
In suggesting a solution, however, comes the most interesting
part of the report, for the investigator, not particularly interested
in music, reached the same conclusion that has already been reached
by many clear thinkers of the industry, namely, that the future of
the musical instrument business and particularly the piano business
rests with the musical training of the child. To make this training
effective, however, it will be necessary to persuade the educational
authorities of the country to grant full school credits for music
study and thus impress parents with the idea that music training is
I
I The Annual Radio World's Fair
HE annual Radio World's Fair in New York is over
and those who looked for the public to crowd Madison
Square Garden throughout the week, as in previous
years, were disappointed. The lack of public support does not in-
dicate a waning interest in radio, but was due—in no small measure
—to the fact that there was little or nothing of revolutionary char-
acter to attract it. It means that radio has reached a point
of stabilization where even the most progressive manufacturers
are content to be satisfied with refining, rather than rebuilding,
their receivers. To the dealers who have seen large stocks in their
stores made obsolete over night through the introduction of some
radical improvement by the manufacturer, this tendency toward
stabilization will prove welcome. In enables both the dealer and
the public to buy with confidence and makes for a sounder and
more profitable business. Certainly the speculative, hit-or-miss days
in radio seem to have passed.
I
Primarily for Music Advancement
T is likely that before another month is past some definite
announcement will be made regarding changes in the policy
in operating the National Bureau for the Advancement of
Music, or rather of the determination of the committee in charge
of the work to have the Bureau go back to first principles and
operate with a view to developing musical interests in a broad way
rather than advocating the adoption of any particular type of in-
strument as an interpreting medium. The plans are still in process
of formulation, but it is not violating confidence to declare that the
future program will be distinctly neutral so far as it concerns the
activities of various groups of manufacturers. The Bureau, in
short, will work for the cause of music itself with the idea of pro-
moting interest in the art and leaving it to the manufacturers of
musical instruments themselves to direct that interest into those
channels that will benefit them most.
This declaration of policy, it is stated, has been made neces-
sary because the time was approaching when it would be impossible
for the Bureau to function successfully with its efforts broken up
in a variety of channels, more or less competitive, even though
directed toward the same general end.
A
The Ohio Convention
LTHOUGH the attendance at the annual convention of
the Music Merchants' Association of Ohio held in Cin-
cinnati early last month was rather disappointing, it
was evident that those standard-bearers of the music trade of the
State who did make it their business to be present came with the
full intention of accomplishing something. The various round table
sessions, a regular and successful feature of the Ohio meetings for
the past couple of years, again proved their worth by affording
opportunities for the Association members to exchange worth-while
ideas on the various phases of the business, including the merchan-
dising of pianos, band instruments and radios. Those who did
attend the sessions found them well worth while, and if nothing
else was accomplished, Secretary Rex Hyre was persuaded to occupy
the office for another year at least, even at a personal sacrifice. This
in itself was a most worthy accomplishment, for the success of the
Association to date has been due in no small measure to Mr. Hyre's
personal efforts.