Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1924 1959

SHEET MUSIC TRADE
TO PUBLISHERS
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THE COMBINED CIRCULATION
OF PRESTO (EST. 1884), AND MUS-
ICAL TIMES (EST. 1881), IS BY FAR
THE LARGEST IN THE FIELD OF
THE MUSIC TRADE. COMBINA-
TION RATES OF SPECIAL AT-
TRACTIVENESS FOR ADVERTIS-
ING SPACE IN BOTH PAPERS
WILL BE MADE TO MUSIC PUB-
LISHERS.
confront every visitor to the sheet music department.
It is a good rule to show the kind of music that is
selling. Don't waste the valuable space on the coun-
ters with "dead" music. By "dead'' is meant the num-
bers that have had their day and been declared has-
beens by the waning of popularity. When people are
looking for hits show the hits which have only a
brief period of popularity and will soon enough be on
the dead list. If people want a particular old thing
they will ask for it.
The main thing for the sheet music dealer to do is
to keep the stock down but up-to-date. You can
keep it down by selling the numbers when the de-
mand is spontaneous and good; you can keep it up-to-
date by keenly watching for the new hits. The alert
manager can anticipate popularity for a number and
be in at the earliest killing in sales. We never cut
prices on old numbers here, said the manager in con-
clusion, because we never allow music to get old. Of
course popular music is meant. There are standards
that never get old.
This department is designed to advance the sales
of sheet music, and give any current information in
the Sheet Music Trade.
This publication believes that Sheet Music will
pay the dealer, just as any other commodity pays MARK MUSIC WITH SELLING PRICE
those who merchandise it properly.
The conductor of this department will review
any numbers that are sent in "for the purpose. It is At Meeting of Publishers It Was Decided to Abandon
not the intent to criticise, but to review these offer-
a Very Old Custom.
ings, giving particular information of the theme and
At a trade practice submittal recently held with the
a description of the musical setting of the number
Federal Trade Commission in New York City, the
discussed.
publishers of standard sheet music, acting through
Address all communications to Conductor Sheet
the Music Publishers' Association of the United
Music Dept., Presto. 407 S. Dearborn, Chicago, 111. States,
adopted a resolution favoring the marking of
net prices, not subject to discount, on sheet music.
Publishers representing 95 per cent of the total out-
put of standard sheet music were present at the con-
ference, as well as a number of publishers of popular
music.
Sheet Music Department Manager Offers Sug-
The consensus of opinion was that "the printing
of a price on music from which to figure a discount
gestions How to Keep the Stock Down
is out of date and no longer serves any useful pur-
But Alluringly Up-to-Date.
pose; and no doubt opens up a way to the unscrupu-
lous to charge a higher price to unsuspecting persons
Once in a while a customer comes to the music than is contemplated by the publishers." In accord-
counter and naively remarks that he or she wants "to ance with this idea, the publishers of standard music
buy some sheet music." It is as often a woman— unanimously adopted the following resolution:
"Resolved, That we believe the proper way of
from whose sex one expects definiteness—as a man,
that shyly makes such a statement. The professional marking prices on music is to use the price at which
musician and musical person of either sex know their it is expected the music will sell at retail under con-
requirements and waste no words in stating them. ditions of normal competition."
The Federal Trade Commission has formally ap-
The timid people w T ho "want to buy some music" are
usually agreeable agents for somebody else, said a proved this resolution, believing that it expresses the
views of the entire music publishing industry. The
sheet music department manager this week.
The men who shyly express the desire to purchase publishers have been asked to fix a date at which the
music are invariably young, and the experienced change will be put in operation.
salesman or saleswoman intuitively understands the
circumstances and can make suggestions without
HELPING SHEET MUSIC SALES
much preliminary inquiry. The young man coming
on such a quest has a best girl who plays the piano
and probably sings as well. That's easy. He will Head of Musical College Explains How Good Rolls
know what he wants when he sees it. In ninety-nine
and Records Stimulate Music Students.
times out of a hundred he wants the popular things
Sheet music and music rolls and talking machine
you can sing or dance to.
You know he wants a fox-trot, blue or balled or records are mutually helpful, one to the other, accord-
maybe a waltz, but you feel he will become embar- ing to Miss Winifred Minturn, head of the Decatur
rassed if you quiz him as to his particular fancies. Musical College, Decatur, 111. Miss Minturn bases
The quickest and easiest way is to direct him to the her beliefs from her experiences and those of the
layout of popular productions. That is full of sug- students.
"When a student hears a record that he or she likes
gestions. Coming perhaps for one piece he eagerly
picks half a dozen surprises for the dearest girl in or that interests them they usually ask to be per-
mitted to include the music in sheet music form for
the world.
their lessons. And the principle works the other way,
The equally shy woman who states the indefinite too, which is helpful, as the records or rolls are usu-
wants is usually the mother of a budding musical ally reproductions of the playing of prominent artists.*
geuius or an admiring aunt. They know that the
"The appreciation of a music student for the finest
best kind of encouragement for the musical daughter
in music is increased by listening to good rolls and
or niece is more music of the kind the girl likes. records. The reproducing piano is a most potent aid
Directing them to the layout may also serve in this to the music teacher. The reproductions of artistic
case, but mother and aunt are not so quick to make a playing made possible by the rolls stimulates the
choice as the young man. But the customers can be music students by the finest kind of examples. On
served and satisfied after a few intelligent inquiries hearing good music reproduced in the reproducing
as to what the musical young lady specially favors.
piano the prompting of the earnest student is to buy
The hypothetical instances are only cited as argu- the sheet music of the piece and try, to emulate the
ments for the layout of popular music which should perfections of playing."
SELL THE HITS QUICKLY
MUSIC
9est
/
Music Printers (
West of New York V
ANY PUBLISHER
\
OUR REFERENCE
-<
BAYNEE, DALHEIM & C a
25
PRESTO
February 9, 1924.
Gladly Furnished
on Anything in Music
^^
^
, WORK DONE BY
ALL PROCESSES
"2054-2060 W.Lake StChicagallL
ABILITY TO SELL JAZZ
Wise Dealers Know That the Rather Prevalent
Idea That It Sells Itself Is Erroneous
and Misleading.
The sheet music dealer must sell the.populars, even
the jazziest of the kind, but big sales of the jazz need
not be the limit of his ambitions. Every phase of
sheet music reflects human desire. And the variety
of the phases show the diversity of musical taste and
want of taste. Loads, mountains of music classified
as jazz sell over counters every year and jazz is to
be found in the best regulated families.
But although great amounts of the jazzy stuff is
sold, the experienced sheet music dealer does not fool
himself with the idea that it sells itself or is easy to
sell in quantities. Whether the store sells the music
or falls down on the job depends on the quality of the
jazz and the method of featuring it employed in the
store.
You can talk about quality in jazz because there are
master composers in this field. A great part of the
jazz-eared public wants the "art in jazz" variety,
which is a combination of melody and tricks. Then,
again, the salesman or saleswoman who succeeds at
selling jazz in big quantities is as much of a specialist
in a way as the composer of the jazz.
The person demonstrating at the piano also must
be a specialist; must be possessed of the jazz under-
standing and must, above all things, be able to convey
it to others. He must be familiar with the idiosyn-
crasies of the composers and understand every twist
of the jazz-buying mind. He knows that jazz is no
thriller unless it is interpreted by one with the under-
standing and the ability to give it the particular zip
that distinguishes it.
One pianist will hammer away all day at the piano
demonstrating populars without creating any desire
to buy in the listeners. He lacks the power of ap-
peal to jazz ears. But the pianist who can appeal to
REMICK SONG HITS
Nearer and Dearer
Watchin' the Moon Rise
Until Tomorrow
Nobody Knows but My Pillow
and Me
The Old Folks at Home
Arizona Stars
Barney Google
Beside a Babbling Brook
You Can't Make a Fool Out of Me
Big Blond Mamma
First, Last and Always
Somebody's Wrong
Do You, Don't You, Will You,
Won't You?
Tweet, Tweet
Lou'siana
J. H. REMICK & CO.
New York
Chicago
Detroit
SONGS THAT SELL
"I Ain't No Sheik, Just Sweet Papa,
That's All."
"I've Got a Man of My Own."
"Houston Blues." "The Fives."
"Muscle Shoals Blues." "The Rocks."
"You Have a Home Somewhere."
"Up the Country Blues."
"Shorty George Blues."
"I've Found a Sweetheart."
"Mammy's Little Brown Rose."
and the Sensational Waltz Success
"AT SUNDOWN"
Order From Your Jobber or Direct.
Geo. W. Thomas Music Co.
428 Bowen Ave.
Chicago, U. S. A.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
26
PRESTO
the jazz emotions with the tips of his ringers can keep
everybody inside the counter busy.
And it invariably happens that the latter type is
distinguished by brains. Even jazz salesmanship re-
quires brains. All jazz is not brainless music nor is
it a brainless job to sell it. The man or woman who
can sell the populars in large quantities can also sell
the high class stuff. Jazz has not crowded out the
high-class songs and music and the activity of a
brainy salesman in selling the popular things does
not minimize his ability to sell the classics and the
better class new music. What is silly or dignified,
lowbrow or highbrow is a matter of individual opinion
of which the sheet music salesman with brains is
aware.
SHEET MUSIC TRADE NOTES
A Few Items Interesting to People in Sheet Music
Department Are Printed.
At the recent election of the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers, Gene Buck was
elected president; Victor Herbert, vice-president;
Raymond Hubbell, treasurer, and Charles K. Harris,
secretary.
The Anthon Song Shop is the name of a new sheet
music business in Silver City. N. M.
At a recent meeting of the directors of the Music
Publishers' Association of the United States, the new
Canadian copyright law was discussed and declared
so complicated that members were advised to get
legal advice before operating under it.
The West Side Song Shop is the name of a sheet
music business opened by Raymond Chartonneau,
Green Bay, Wis., at 313^ West Walnut street.
The Veritas Music Publishing Co. and the G. S.
Haskins Photoplay Productions of Hollywood, Cal.,
recently offered a prize for the three best choruses
for "Just Like a Woman," a song written around a
photoplay of the name.
Holroyd Andrews is the new general wholesale
manager of the Willis Music Co., Cincinnati.
The Terpret Studios, Cleveland, O., publishers and
music dealers, recently opened a retail shop at 9211
Hough avenue.
AN ORIGINAL CONCERT
Paul Specht Broadcasts Music of Amateur and Un-
known Writers for Two Hours.
An original concert of American music was given
by Paul Specht and his Almanac hotel orchestra
from the WJW broadcasting rooms of the Aeolian
Hall Building, New York, last week, Thursday, when
no less than twenty compositions of unknown writers
were played.
Telegrams and long distance calls poured in- to
the radio station all evening indicating the wide-
spread interest in the event. Paul Specht made a
speech over the wireless, stating in substance that he
was doing his utmost to establish an American School
of Music.
Among the numbers that received favorable atten-
tion • from the radio public were, "Lovely Lola,"
"Roads of Happiness," 'Tooling Around," "You Know
What I Mean," "When the Shadows Fall," "Some-
body," "Let It Come," and others.
The contest will remain open until March 1, 1924.
The Columbia Phonograph Company, F. A. D. An-
drea, Inc., The Almanac Hotel Company and the
Buescher Band Instrument Company, are associated
in the enterprise.
A REMICK SONG "HIT."
"Bring Back That Old-Fashioned Waltz" was fea-
tured this week as the principal theme at the Colum-
bia Theater in Portland, Ore., in colaboration with
the production of "The Courtship of Miles Standish."
I. E. Sklare, local manager of the Remick Song &
Gift Shop, in conjunction with Raymond Charles, the
manager of the Columbia, used the number with
slides.
February 9, 1924.
THE PRESTO'S WANT ADVS.
SALESMEN W A N T E D .
One of the foremost piano industries in the Middle West
wants several high-grade traveling salesmen',, of
proven ability, to take charge of fixed territories
throughout the United States. Men already employed
who may desire to better their conditions may depend
upon secrecy until final decision. Only first-class
salesmen are wanted, and they are invited to apply at
once. Address "Competent," care PRESTO, 417 S.
Dearborn St., Chicago.
FOREMAN AND PLAYER EXPERT.
FACTORY B O O K K E E P E R W A N T E D .
One of the largest piano industries wants a first-class
bookkeeper and accountant. One with understanding
of the piano business preferred. Apply at once, ad-
dressing "Bookkeeper," care PRESTO, 417 S. Dear-
born St., Chicago.
BUSINESS O P P O R T U N I T Y .
Want wideawake partner in general music store in best
spot in sunny California; $5,000 needed, not to buy
a half interest, but to double the capital. Business
been going about two years and making money. This
is a rare chance for the right party. Address J. F.
Graber, 204 E. Main St., Visalia, Calif.
Situation wanted by an experienced factory superintend-
ent and expert in player pianos; one who thoroughly
understands player actions and has made some of the
most successful. Will take charge of a factory or
T R A V E L E R W A N T S POSITION.
serve as foreman of player department. Chicago in-
dustry preferred. Address "Expert," care Box 11, Wholesale piano traveler of 35 years' experience is open
for position. Best of references.
Prefer states of
PRESTO Office, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. Address
H. V., care of PRESTO, 417 So. Dearborn St., Chi-
cago.
STOCK K E E P E R W A N T E D .
Young man in small player factory and office who knows
player material and stock keeping, accurate and
SALESMAN—TUNER.
quick. One with ability to advance. Tell us in con-
What dealer wants the services of a piano salesman who
fidence where you have worked, age, experience and
has been successful in selling the rural as well as
wages wanted. Address "Stock Keeper," Box 9,
urban trade? His sales experience has extended over
PRESTO Office, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
several months and is underbuilt by five years of
successful independent tuning. This man is under
twenty-five years and ran answer to any require-
STOCK OF GOODS FOR SALE.
ments you may wish to bring forth. What do you
Owing to the recent death of my brother and former
offer to him? He can use his own car if necessary.
partner, am offering our stock of musical goods for
Write to him, addressing "Worker," Box 14, PRES-
sale at a sacrifice. Stock consists of pianos, talking
TO, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
machines and small goods. Will invoice from $3,000
to $4,000. Will consider any reasonable offer. Own
PLAYER E X P E R T W A N T E D .
store building, one of the finest in the city. Rent
reasonable. If interested, address J. E. Giles, Admin-
A large retail house wants a repair and service man, one
istrator, Quincy, III.
who thoroughly understands the repairing of all
makes of player-pianos, electric pianos and reproduc-
ing pianos. Applicant must be a straightforward
S H E E T MUSIC MANAGER.
man.
Married man preferred, who has held a steady
WANTED—Experienced sheet music and small goods
position heretofore. He must understand finishing,
manager, capable of taking complete charge of well-
tuning and all details of a retail piano house repair
established department in leading music store of large
work. Address, stating salary wanted, "Service," Box
Southern city. Must be able to buy, sell and make
3, PRESTO Office, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
profit. Apply promptly if interested. Address Post
Office Box No. 172, Chicago, III.
TRAVELER WANTED.
A Chicago piano manufacturer, long established, wants a
BUSINESS O P P O R T U N I T Y .
first-class salesman—one who has had the experience
WANTED—Polish piano salesman with some capital to
and can actually do business with a fine line of in-
become partner in well established business. State
struments sold at attractive prices. Address "Attrac-
reference and experience. Big opportunity. Address
tive," Box 6, PRESTO Office, 417 S. Dearborn St.,
"Wilkes," Box 2, PRESTO Office, 417 S. Dearborn
Chicago.
St. Chicago.
TUNER AND PLAYER MAN.
PIANO S A L E S M A N W A N T E D .
store wants tuner and player man qualified to take
Must have experience in handling canvassers. All our Piano
charge
of
large shop as manager. Good pay to the
men make big money. Call for an interview. See Mr.
right man. Address C. E. Lucore, Statler Hotel, Buf-
Newman, The Smith Piano Co., 214 S. Wabash Ave.,
falo,
N.
Y
.
Chicago, III.
SALESMANAGER
WANTED.
Salesmanager wanted to handle an entire sales organiza-
ENCOURAGING BAND SPIRIT.
tion of a growing piano concern in Detroit, Mich.
Several bands in and around Oxnard, Cal., are
Must be a piano sales producer and able to handle
men and build up the force. State experience and
planning to participate in the band music contest to
compensation required, also references, in your first
be held here in the coming Eisteddfod, striving to
application. Address "Producer," Box 11, PRESTO
Office, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
win the beautiful silver loving cup offered by the
Platt Music Co., of Los Angeles, as an incentive for
USED PIANO BARGAINS.
the contest. The trophy stands over a foot in height Twenty used pianos
which have not yet passed through
and was donated by the Platt concern on its own
our repair shop offered at low prices to dealers. Prices
range
from
$25
to
$50, all woods included. Special
volition. The Platt Co. is heartily in favor of the
price for carload lots. Address reply to " E . F. N.,"
Community Service Eisteddfod and is hopeful that
care Cable Piano Co., Chicago.
Oxnard has started something that will spread all
PHONOGRAPH S A L E S M A N .
over the state.
POPULAR SONG NUMBERS.
Sig Bosley, of Chicago, representing the Forrester
Publishing Co., was a visitor this week to the Port-
land, Ore., sheet music dealers. Mr. Bosley has his
headquarters in Chicago and sees to all points to the
west of this city. Mr. Bosley was featuring "It Ain't
Goin' to Rain No Mo.'" The well-known waltz
"When Clouds Have Vanished" was among his offer-
ings and he took many reorders for this popular
number. Another number that was well received by
the dealers was "When I'm with You," by Robinson.
MUSIC IN HARTFORD.
Kelley & Cowles, Hartford, Conn., has opened a
sheet music department which includes both pop-
ular and classic music, orchestrations and teachers'
books for all instruments. Mr. F. C. Buckley, form-
erly with Sedgwick & Casey in the same city, is in
charge of the new department.
STORY & CLARK ITEM.
II. T. Hamncr and G. E. Huffman, of the Huff-
man Furniture & Undertaking Company, Story &
Clark dealers at Waynesburg, Pa., visited the Story
& Clark Chicago offices this week.
Phonograph salesman wanted.
Real opportunity for
salesman who can produce results. Must live on south
side of city. Apply 1004 W. 79th St., Chicago. Phone
Vincennes 9383.
WHO WANTS TRAVELER?
Traveler who has sold pianos for several years, whole-
sale, wishes to make connection with a first-class
house as traveling representative. Best of references
furnished. Address "Representative," Box 17, PRES-
TO Office, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
SALESMAN'S O P P O R T U N I T Y .
Retail piano salesman in large western city. One who
can handle department with several men under him.
Fine warerooms and fine line of instruments. Good
- opportunity for man who is willing to work and pro-
duce results. Give age, experience and salary wanted.
Address "Results," Box 15, PRESTO Office, 417 S.
Dearborn St.. Chicago.
AN O P P O R T U N I T Y .
One of the greatest opportunities ever offered to any In-
dividual or firm, to purchase an established music
business in one of the best business sections of Mil-
waukee. Have valuable lease. Can be purchased for
less than invoice, on account of owner investing in
manufacturing
business.
Address, "Opportunity,"
Box 16, Presto Office, 417 So. Dearborn Street,
Chicago.
GOOD CLOSERS W A N T E D .
I want three piano men who want to make big money,
but they must be good closers. We have a big fine
store, in a fine large city. Knabe, Ampico, Fischer,
Franklin, also other well-known pianos. Right kind
of man can make big money. Write me for particu-
lars. Address Clarence Lucore, Statler Hotel, Buf-
falo, N. Y .
STARR PIANOS
STARR PHONOGRAPHS
GENNETT RECORDS
Represent the Maximum Attainment in
Musical Worth
Branches and Distributors Everywhere
,— f
—
_~.
^
I tie otarr r*iano Company
Established 1892
Richmond, Indiana
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

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