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Opinions of Music Merchants on Revival
of Player-Piano Approzimately Fifty-Fifty
TN view of the recent discussion regarding the possible
•*• revival of the player-piano THE REVIEW this month sent
a letter to a large number of representative music merchants
as follows:
"There's been considerable discussion recently regarding the
revival of the player piano,
"As one of the representative music merchants in the coun-
try, I would appreciate your honest opinion on this subject.
"Do you believe, in view of what happened to the piano
business in 1926, after the player piano craze, that it would
be practical to introduce a player piano to a generation of
young people who never knew anything about it, particularly
after all the effort and money that has been and is being
spent to teach children to play manually in the schools and
otherwise?
"Your comments will be greatly appreciated."
Following are many of the answers:
- NO-
Harlan A. Horn, Manager, J. M. Hoffman Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
"We have no desire to see the player piano revived."
Earl Campbell, President, Campbell Music Co., Inc., Washington,
D. C. and President, National Association of Music Merchants
"Upon receipt of your letter of September 27th, we asked all the mem-
bers of our Piano Department to individually give us their reaction to
the possible re-introduction of the player piano. Below we are quoting
the various answers we have received from the department. Frankly,
our own opinion, which may be prejudiced, is that it would be a mistake
to attempt to revive the player piano at this time
"There are many reasons why we feel that it would be a great mistake.
Today it is very difficult to find experienced and talented piano tech-
nicians. It is even more difficult to attract young blood to a career in
this field. To add maintenance of player pianos to an already acute
service problem would be ill advised.
"The cost of production would preclude sales to the income group
which would be attracted to an instrument of this kind. Retail volume
would be too small to be attractive. However, even if they could be
made to be a lucrative item for the retail merchant, the disservice to
the public would far outweigh any other consideration.
"The American Music Conference and many other laudable organiza-
tions have spent much time, effort, and money to promote music educa-
tion throughout the country. The teaching methods that have been devel-
oped for both children and adults have done much to provide the one
thing every human most desires; namely, a medium of self-expression.
The automatic functioning of the player would, we believe, be a frustra-
tion of this desire.
"The increased recording of good music with high fidelity phonographs,
as well as radio and television, has done much to stimulate interest in
musical development as a part of a child's education. The revival of the
player would do just as much to cause a regression of this interest.
"As we know, the study of music helps to build character, promotes
better health and a happier more normal thinking populace. In these
days, anything that detracts from these goals is a disservice."
Russell B. Wells, Chas. E. Wells Music Co., Denver, Col.
"Frankly, we all believe it would be a grave mistake for piano manu-
facturers to exert their efforts in the building of a player piano at this
time. We can't help but acknowledge that for a few years prior to 1926
we all enjoyed a good business in the sale of player pianos but condi-
tions were different in those days—we had no radios nor television sets;
since then electric and electronic organs have a ready acceptance—
which is most encouraging to many music dealers.
"Through the commendable efforts of our American Music Conference,
great interest has been developed in the playing of all keyboard instru-
ments, all supplemented by greater activity in the schools over the
country. Such work is progressing nicely, with increasing favorable re-
sults. To introduce a mechanical player piano now would, as we see
it, nullify all the time, money, and effort expended by AMC, NAMM,
and all other agencies. We think it would be a mistake for any piano
manufacturer to build a player piano or piano player attachment. 1
sincerely believe we are going in the right direction in stressing the
value of keyboard experience. Let's keep it going."
Hugh W. Randall, President, Bradford's, Milwaukee. Wis.
"Referring to your letter of September 27 regarding discussion on re-
vival of the player piano, would say that I feel it would be a very great
mistake. The music dealers and AMC have spent a lot of time and
money to get the public schools to give more attention to music includ-
ing piano and a great deal has been accomplished along this line. Many
stores have installed large teaching studios and I feel it would be unwise
to break down this excellent work and go back to promoting mechanical
instruments whether they be foot power or electric.
"It was tried by the Aeolian American Corporation a couple of years
ago when they came out with a player attachment for any piano but it
did not go over and I think the same would happen to any type of player
brought out today. I sincerely hope that sufficient pressure will be
brought on manufacturers to refrain from attempting to revive player
pianos."
Ronald C. Harmon, Harmon Piano Co., Bangor, Me.
"When the player piano first came out I was about five years old. As a
child I loved it and thought it was out of this world. An adult in those
days, with some imagination and a knowledge of music, could make a
player sound good by using the expression levers. However, I have al-
ways believed that, without using them the music was very "canned" or
dull. As I recall through the years of the player business our sale ratio
was about 20 to 1 in favor of the straight piano. In other words, there
was price resistance then and only those with money bought them or it
was a long-term account. Through the years we had more trouble collect-
ing on player pianos and automatic player pianos than on anything we
ever sold. People over extended themselves financially into an unpre-
dictable future. Today, the general run of people, are not making that
mistake or they have all they can handle.
"From a service point of view, I believe there would be many headaches.
I can well recall a ride with my father and mother when we brought
Mr. O'Leary to catch a train one Sunday morning in August in the
summer of 1923 in a new Buick car. When we left Bar Harbor we had
just an hour to make the train. Mr. O'Leary was quite worried that he
would not make the train but we did. In those days the roads were not
what they are today. The hills were steeper, the curves sharper, the
roads rougher and they had not started to use tar. Each year the Duo-Art
man had to come to Boston to service the Steinway Duo-Art pianos and
the expense was divided between the customers. Also in those days there
were several tuners around here who knew about the player pianos and
dealers through the years through experience had acquired knowledge of
simple adjustments. Today there is just one man in this territory who
can repair a Duo-Art, that I know of.
"As I recall, the Aeolian American in 1947 brought out a player piano
attachment and must have taken many orders for them. It certainly was
a well made "KIT" and the price was fair for the quality. However,
I believe the board of directors decided not to go into production for the
reasons cited in the last paragraph in your letter. All in all, I would
say "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie".
Claude Buckpitt, Elmira, N. Y.
"Replying to your inquiry, we sell used players occasionally and I be-
lieve there would be a limited demand for a player piano if they could
be manufactured to sell at a reasonable price.
"Personally I would hesitate to place an order for a player piano unless
the price would enable the dealer to sell at less than a thousand dollars."
Warden Piano Co., Nashville, Tenn.
"We are not in favor of player-pianos."
Rudolph Seigling, Seigling Music House, Inc., Charleston, S. C.
"Naturally, there will be a sale for a certain amount of Player Pianos
if they were manufactured, but we feel that due to the fact that the
industry has made such great strides in teaching children to play the
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, OCTOBER, 1954