Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1925 2053

November 28, 1925.
25
PRESTO
SHEET MUSIC AND RADIO
MUSIC AT CHRISTMAS
Sheet Music Dealers Find the Holidays a Sea-
son of Great Opportunity When Means
to Sales Are Understood.
The opportunity to tie up with the Christmas spirit
is one the progressive sheet music dealer realizes and
it gives him a chance to show his ability to initiate
original means to draw the attention of the public to
his line. The desirability of sheet music and music
books as Christmas gifts is an obvious fact to the
dealer but it is up to him to make the Christmas
shoppers share his views in that respect. The classics
and books of instruction are always in season as the
average pupil is studying all through the year, never-
theless a gift for a student at Christmas may be of
one or the other.
Many sheet music dealers consider newspaper ad-
vertising too expensive and it may prove so if not
made use of judiciously. But the great trouble is the
average dealer does not make the experiment. If
there is any time propitious for the advertising ex-
penditure it is the holidays, the weeks before Christ-
mas. The dealer may set down the money so spent
as a salesman's salary.
In such advertising of popular music present only
the titles of hits, for these will prove trade bringers
and once the customer is within the store, salesman-
ship and an inviting stock will do the rest.
Of course no dealer need be reminded of the effec-
tiveness of tying up with musical organizations and
artists featuring particular numbers in the city.
Indeed no line of music goods affords so many
means of advertising as sheet music. Bands play in
the parks and playgrounds, orchestras in the theaters
and halls; there is music in the churches, the schools
and the homes. Every place has its dance halls and
is enthusiastic dancers and the hotels in a great many
instances provide music at meals with dancing as
an accompanying attraction.
In every instance they are presenting to the public
the desirability of the goods the dealer is offering.
Every musical performance demonstrates for the
sheet music dealer, but it is up to him to tie up with
the events.
famous in his concerts, was one of his best known
songs.
The net price system of selling music has been
declared a success by Carl Fischer, Inc., New York.
The Century Music Publishing Co., New York,
has announced a window dressing contest to close
December 31. It is a celebration of the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the company. It is open to all dealers
who may procure window dressing material by ad-
dressing the company.
Holiday business in Remick songs is a notable fea-
ture in the trade of Minneapolis, Minn., according to
Fred R. Strubel, manager there of the Remick Music
Service.
VIEWS SHEET MUSIC TRADE
Wholesale Distributor Compares Conditions of To-
day and Ten Years Ago and Sees Improvement.
One thing that tends to make the sheet music de-
partments of more importance today than ten years
ago is the increased efficiency of the managers in
both buying and selling. That was the substance of
a statement by a wholesale distributor of sheet music
and music books in Chicago this week. Ten years
ago the knowledge the managers of small music
stores possessed of purchasing to the best advantage
was lamentable and efforts to stimulate sales of what
was bought were negligible, he said.
But the experienced manager points to the gradual
improvement within that time, which he attributes to
a variety of causes. The greater favor for good music
occurring within the decade has been as much a fea-
ture of the sheet music business as the amazing fever
for the so-called populars. And both occurrences
have influenced conditions for the betterment of the
sheet music men and their methods.
But the greater profits possible within recent years
have been instrumental in spreading interest in sheet
music. The possibilities of an encouraging return for
money, time and labor expended in selling sheet music
have added to the numbers in the business as well as
to the enthusiasm of everybody concerned.
A prime factor in the improvement in conditions in
sheet music businesses is the placing of men in charge
of sheet music departments, according to the sheet
music man quoted, who added:
"While there are some exceptionally able young
women in charge of sheet music counters, most of the
girls stay but a comparatively short time, when they
leave to get married. Of course, the business suffers
A Few Items Interesting to People in Sheet Music while another marriageable young woman is getting
Department Are Printed.
the hang of the job. In time the inevitable happens—
A sheet music department has been installed in more wedding bells, more disruption to the sheet
the Seattle, Wash., branch of Sherman Clay & Co. music department."
The manager is Clayton Twing, who has had charge
of the music roll department for several years past.
F. A. FILLMORE DEAD.
Fred A. Fillmore, Cincinnati, O-, music publisher
Bernard Pollock has been made eastern manager
of the publishing department of Sherman, Clay & and founder of the house of Fillmore Bros., who died
November 16, aged 67, after an operation, also was a
Co., San Francisco.
very popular song writer. His sacred songs have a
Easthope Martin, English composer of ballads and big sale.
sacred songs, died recently at the age of thirty-eight.
"The Holy Child," which John McCormack made
The American Hardwood Manufacturers' Associa-
tion has brought charges before the U. S. Treasury
Department that vast quantities of hardwoods of
many kinds are being dumped on the American
market by Canadians at greatly reduced prices.
Manufacturers of
SHEET MUSIC TRADE NOTES
RADIO
Elgin Phonograph & Novelty Co.
Elgin, III.
To Piano Makers
and Dealers/
For best advertising Song Books for Grand
Openings, Special Occasions, Holidays, Quanti-
ties for Country Schools, Societies, etc., write
to the Illinois State Register, Dept. P, Spring-
field, Illinois.
ANALYZES MUSIC BUYERS
Psychology of the Sheet Music Counter Explained
by Manager of Department This Week.
Music may be broadly divided into classical, semi-
classical and jazz in talking about the psychology of
music selling, according to an observant manager of
a sheet music section in Chicago. And each kind
calls for a separate method of procedure. No phase
of the music business presents such interesting oppor-
tunities for customer analysis, is the observant man-
ager's view expressed this week.
"You cannot sell classics on the same basis as popu-
lar numbers, which I have grouped under the head
of jazz," he said. "The customer for classics knows
what he or she wants, asks for it by its correct name
and is disappointed if we haven't got it in stock. The
approach of the customers for the pop is different.
Sometimes they have the name correctly, but very
often they name something that only sounds like it.
"A peculiarity of the pop fan is that he or she is
not often disappointed at failure to find the song in
stock. Something as new or newer satisfies them as
a substitute. But they usually make an honest effort
to get the song the name of which they don't know
but the illusive tune of which they are quick to lilt
for the salesman.
"The buyer of classics honors the name of a com-
poser; the buyer of the popular very often is indiffer-
ent to that important means of identifying the num-
ber sought. "I don't remember the name of the fox-
trot or the guy who wrote it, but the tune goes some-
thing like this," and they hum it or whistle it as well
as they recall it since they heard it at the dance the
night before.
"It is difficult to force the sale of classics. The
musician knows what he wants and has a definite
reason for coming to the counter. Usually the in-
cident is closed when the classical number required
is not in stock. The salesman's cue in that case is to
show something in stock by the same composer and
as near as possible to the type of piece required. But
as a rule they will buy only that requested at
first. The best salesmanship is to offer to order the
piece and make an honest effort to get it to the cus-
tomer in the specified time."
CHICAGO TO SING CAROLS.
Harry Edward Freund, who is director of the Chi-
cago Christmas Carols Committee, of which Mayor
Dever is honorary chairman, has prepared for dis-
tribution leaflets of four carols, with words and music,
and which will be supplied from committee headquar-
ters at 165 E. Ontario street. "Carols will be sung
by the spectators before each performance in 350
motion picture theaters Christmas Eve," said Mr.
Freund. "Two hundred and fifty full-sized bill-
boards have been donated for the month of Decem-
ber by the General Outdoor Advertising Company, to
advertise the carol singing. When the Board of
Trade closes the day before Christmas the 1,600 mem-
bers will sing the carols on the floor. Chicago Ath-
letic Club and other organizations will furnish carols."
REMICK SONG HITS
Sometime
By the Light of the Stars
Sweet Georgia Brown
If I Had a Girl Like You
Got No Time
You Told Me To Go
Mother Me Tennessee
Oh Lovey Be Mine
On the Bam Bam Bamy Shore
Good Mornin'
I'm Going to Charleston, Back to
Charleston
Let's Wander Away
When Eyes of Blue Are Fooling You
J. H. REMICK & CO.
New York
Chicago
Detroit
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November 28, 1925.
PRESTO
26
BOOKLET TELLS ABOUT
SCHOOL BAND CONTESTS
THE PRESTO'S WANT ADVS.
POSITION WANTED
By a competent, experienced piano tuner and repairer
with reliable music house. South preferred. Address
"R. H.," Box 11, PRESTO Office, 417 S. Dearborn St.,
Chicago.
SALESMEN WANTED.
One of the progressive piano industries, making instru-
ments that are in demand everywhere, will take on
several competent salesmen, allotting special fields in
which to work in a manner profitable to salesmen
who can handle dealers' trade. Such arrangements
will be made as to insure uncommon results to the
right men. Must be workers to justify the oppor^
tunity afforded by the manufacturers in select t e r r i -
tory. Address "Unusual," Box 3, PRESTO Office, 417
S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
EXPERT TUNER WANTS POSITION.
Expert tuner and repairman with experience on all lead-
ing player actions, electric coin operated and repro-
ducing, wants position immediately with reliable mu-
sic house. Please state full details of position you
have open. Address "Expert Tuner," Box 3, care of
PRESTO, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
SUPERINTENDENT AND PRODUCTION MANAGER.
WANTED—Superintendent and production manager who
has had practical experience in all branches of piano
manufacturing, for plant on Pacific Coast. State ex-
perience and references. Address Henry Lee, Attor-
ney, 1014 Merchants National Bank Bldg., Los A n -
geles, Cal.
EXPERT WANTS POSITION.
Qualified piano finisher and foreman for repair depart-
ment; eighteen years' experience; married; with pres-
ent firm five years; not only executive but also selling
ability. Will go anywhere if the remuneration is f i t -
ting. Address "Foreman," care PRESTO, Box 7, 417
S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
PIANO MAN'S OPPORTUNITY.
WANTED—First-class piano man who understands the
business thoroughly. Able to manage organization and
get results. Located in large Connecticut city of a
drawing population of 400,000. Business now $135,000
a year and can be increased to $200,000 as a normal
outlet. The firm is well established with plenty of
stock and piano leases on hand. Occupies entire
building with a 20— year lease. The man we want
must have a high sense of business honor. To such a
party who has $10,000 capital is offered a lifetime op-
portunity. Address for Interview, which will be held
in strict confidence, "Opportunity," Box 3, PRESTO
Office, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, III.
MANAGER WANTED.
Branch store manager is wanted. Must thoroughly un-
derstand the piano business and be a good closer. Is
wanted to manage one of Chicago's largest branch
piano stores in chain store organization. A real money
opportunity. Phone, write or wire "Outlet Piano
Stores," 1389 Milwaukee Ave. f Chicago, III. Phone
Brunswick 2021.
The National Bureau for the Advancement of
Music announces its new booklet of rules for the 1925
State and National School Band Contests. As the
trade probably knows, these contests have been or-
ganized for the past two years in co-operation with
the Committee on Instrumental Affairs of the Music
Supervisors' National Conference.
The booklet is illustrated with pictures of fourteen
bands which won first place in their state contests, or
in divisions of these contests, last spring. Special
prominence is given the band of the Council Bluffs,
Iowa, High School, Lee M. Lockhart, director, which
won the band event of the mid-west high school con-
test held at the Music Supervisors' National Confer-
ence in Kansas City last spring, and also the middle-
west sectional contest, organized by the committee,
and open to winners in that contest and in the state
contests of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan
and Minnesota.
Dealers can help in developing school bands and
band contests by sending in to the Bureau the names
of any bands and band leaders in their vicinity, so
that the Bureau may complete its list of these and
communicate with them directly. Where there are
no bands the Bureau will help in establishing one.
TRAVELING SALESMAN.
An established piano industry wants a competent traveler
in the central states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Wisconsin and Michigan. A strictly commission prop-
osition and a profitable one for the right man. A d -
dress "Commission," Box 11, PRESTO Publishing Co.,
417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
TUNER WANTS POSITION.
POSITION WANTED—Piano tuner. Piano tuner wants
steady position in high grade piano factory or with
first-class music house. Thoroughly experienced in
factory work. Proficient in every way and can sat-
isfy the most particular. Address "Factory Tuner,"
care PRESTO, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
SIDE LINE FOR TRAVELER.
WANTED—Traveler in the music industries, piano trav-
eler preferred, to take on a side line; something es-
sential in every piano and general music store. Sat-
isfactory arrangements; commission or otherwise. A d -
dress "Side Line No. 6," care PRESTO, 417 S. Dear-
born St., Chicago.
SALESMEN WANTED.
Opportunity in California for experienced piano salesmen
with prominent chain store organization.
Highest
grade institution; extensive advertisers; best known
piano agencies. Hustlers will find good chances ahead.
Address "Hustlers," Box 17, PRESTO Office, 417 S.
Dearborn St., Chicago.
TO BUY BAND OUTFIT.
TUNER AND PLAYER MAN.
First-class tuner and player mechanic, at present em-
ployed by the foremost music house on Pacific Coast,
wants steady year-'round position with some large
firm in Chicago. Understands well coin operated and
other automatic instruments.
Address "Reliable,"
Box 2, PRESTO Office, 417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
Negotiations for the purchase of twenty instru-
ments for a band for the Illinois Military School,
Aleda, 111., have been begun by Col. C. R. Terry. It
is also likely that an orchestra will be organized.
Orman Simpson has been engaged to organize and
direct the musicians.
Richard Powers, formerly Eastern representative
of Sherman, Clay & Co.'s music publishing depart-
ment, has been made manager of the firm's radio
department at the headquarters in San Francisco.
UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITY.
An unusual opportunity is offered to capable salesmen by
one of the largest piano manufacturers, producing
grands and players, to represent the most popular
instruments in the trade. Liberal territory allotted,
and liberal commission arrangement will be allowed
to capable men. Address, giving present connections
or other particulars, " P . E. L.," Box 8, PRESTO,
417 S. Dearborn St., Chicago.
of NEW YORK
AFFILIATED
anufacturing for the trade
Upright and Grand Pianos
Player Pianos
Welte Mignbn "(Licensee) Repro-
ducing Pianos
De Luxe Player Actions
Standard Player Actions
Welte Mignon (Licensee) Repro-
ducing Actions
Expression Player Actions
Piano Hammers
Bass Strings
VIRGINIA TRAVELER WANTED.
Wholesale representative to cover Virginia and adjacent
territory. Experienced man to establish new accounts
and assist present dealers. Salary and commission.
The Baldwin Piano Company, 142 West 4th St., Cin-
cinnati, Ohio.
Wholesale Chicago Office and Service
HELP WANTED.
WANTED, TUNER—Must be able to repair pianos, play-
ers and talking machines. Permanent position. Can
make commission on side at selling. Address Sam-
uels-Bittel Music Co., Inc., 112 West Second St.,
Owensboro, Ky.
TWO TRADE WINNERS
I CHURCHILL
If you want Good Goods at Right Prices, here ars two
that will meet your requirements—Players and Pianos.
RELIABLE — FINE TONE — BEAUTIFUL
Made By
HARTFORD PIANO COMPANY
Departments
KOHLER INDUSTRIES
San Francisco Office
462 tPhelan building
1223-1227 MILLER STREET, CHICAGO
COMPANIES
r
EXPERIENCED MAN WANTED.
An experienced piano man of long established reputation
with ample backing and representing his own artistic
line and also a complete line of lower-priced pianos,
having established a wholesale factory sales agency,
needs a good man of practical experience, and one
who knows the dealers and can attend to correspond-
ence and general inside sales work and exercise su-
pervision of sample display. A man who has a good
reputation and at least $5,000 to invest preferred.
Address "Practical," Box 4, PRESTO Office, 417 S.
Dearborn St., Chicago.
MANAGER WANTS POSITION.
WANTED—Position as manager of music store. Can take
complete charge. Twenty years' experience, seven
years as manager. Can give best of references. A d -
dress "Complete," Box 11, PRESTO Office, 417 S.
Dearborn St., Chicago.
The Parent-Teachers' Association of Marshall, Mo.,
lias undertaken to raise money to buy instruments for
the Boys' Band.
THE KOHLERINDUSTRI
CLOSER WANTED.
One of the largest piano manufacturing houses in Chi-
cago wishes to get in touch with a successful closing
salesman to take the management of one of its branch
stores in a city of over thirty thousand within 180
miles of Chicago.
No desk sergeant desired but an
active, go-getting sales agent, who at the same time
is competent to build an organization and supervise
its selling. To such a man we will pay a good salary
and an extra bonus for extra results.
Married man,
between 30 and 40, with proven record of accomplish-
ment behind him.
Complete, moderate priced and
artistic line, including Ampico. Correspondence abso-
lutely confidential. Address "Closer," Box 14, Presto
Office, 417 So. Dearborn St., Chicago.
HARTFORD
Publication of the Advance of Music Bureau Contains
Much of Interest to Supervisors.
1222 KIMBALL B U I L D I N G
CHICAGO
The Entirely New 1926 Edition of
PRESTO BUYERS* GUIDE
"The Book That Sells Pianos"
is in Preparation and Manufacturers are urged to promptly re-
turn information blanks which are now being sent them.
There will be no Piano Advertising, but a limited amount of
space will be devoted to small goods and music publishers.
PRESTO PUBLISHING COMPANY
417 So. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IIL
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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