April, 1931
P R E S T O-T I M E S
VALUE OF GOOD WILL IN BUSINESS
The Gulbransen Company treasures as its most valued possession the good will of the piano merchants
who have represented the Gulbransen line, the confidence of the purchasers and owners of Gulbransen
Pianos, and the Gulbransen franchise is more than ever a valuable asset to the piano merchant.
The Gulbransen Company is placing on the market a line of pianos popularly priced to meet the
demands of the music lovers of moderate means, instruments of high grade musical quality and artistic
beauty with full value.
Gulbransen is again creating new history in the piano industry with "The Piano of Today," and piano
merchants for their own benefit and interest should fully investigate the Gulbransen proposition with its
splendid promotional activity for bringing back the p ino to the home.
New, artistic and beautiful Gulbransen Catalogue, finest ever gotten up, will be mailed on application.
GULBRANSEN COMPANY
Gulferanaen Trade Mark.
CHICAGO
HOW PIANO LESSONS ARE
GIVEN WITH THE AID
OF RADIO BROADCASTS
Nation-wide music classes listened to the radio last
month as the broadcastnig of piano lessons began.
Considered as a single class, this was the largest class
ever assembled to study a single subject at once.
According to John Mills, president of the Radio
Music Co., subsidiary of the National Broadcasting
Co., "every mail brings in an average of 3,000 to 4,000
applications for enrollment in the series and the ex-
planatory charts." And he said further that he would
not be surprised to see the enrollment advance in a
few weeks to 200,000.
"These letters," said Mr. Mills, "disclose a tremen-
dous hunger for that which will give the writers self-
expression in music. This series cannot make a fin-
ished pianist of the participant, but what we do
expect to accomplish is a reduction in the number of
those in this country who are musically inarticulate
by inducing them to continue with regular piano teach-
ers where this course leaves off. We will endeavor
to show how easy a beginning in piano study can be
made. Any one who has ten fingers, two arms, a
piano and a radio set, can have these beginning les-
sons for the asking."
The programs are known as "Music in the Air" and
"Keys to Happiness" and the sole purpose in giving
them, Mr. Mills says, is "to recruit the life of the
sitting room and promote the simple amusements
of home which have long languished."
On both of the programs is pictured part of a piano
keyboard, which is to be cut out and placed directly
above the keys of the instrument in use, and the
instructor directs the students by referring to the
letters from A to G, inclusive, through several octaves.
Printed on the back of the charts (or programs)
comment is made on 'The Fun of Playing the Piano"
as follows:
"Everybody admits that people who can make a
little music are generally popular and have a better
time than most of their companions. Very few of us
are sufficiently gifted to become real artists, but prac-
tically all of us can have the fun of at least making
some pleasant sounds on a piano.
"We have grown so accustomed to listening to the
professional performance of music that we sometimes
forget the importance and the joy of musical self-
expression. It is a unique and individual pleasure, for
it is entirely your own, and nobody can take it from
you.
"There are certain melodies that everybody knows
and likes. Most of us can whistle or hum or sing
them and some of us find it fairly easy to pick them
out at the keyboard. But almost anyone can make
such a melody sound like real music by simply playing
two or three chords by way of an accompaniment.
"This chart is intended to help you to play a few
such chords to some of the best known melodies and
thus to make your own music immediately, without
any effort. If you become sufficiently interested to
want to proceed further, and really learn something
about piano playing, by all means get in touch with
a regular teacher and continue as far as your ability
and enthusiasm will carry you. The 'Keys to Happi-
ness' can unlock the door for you, but that is all.
"Use this chart either independently or in connec-
tion with the broadcasts described below. Additional
copies can be secured by writing to the Natonal
Broadcasting Co., 711 Fifth avenue, New York."
The National Broadcasting Co. says further: "The
instructions are simple—and as supplemented by the
verbal guidance during the broadcasts will enable you
—if you will just try—to become familiar with some
of the delights of self-expression in the lovely art
of music.
"W r hen you do feel ready for a teacher, we will
put you in contact with one if you so request. Or,
your local music dealer will be glad to refer you to
the various teachers serving your community or neigh-
borhood.
"It is easy for anyone, child or adult, to learn to
play piano sufficiently well to entertain themselves,
their family and friends. It is a lovely accomplish-
ment.
"Be sure your piano is in tune—the best piano in
the world out of tune is inferior to the worst one in
proper tune. Unless the piano is in tune it is not a
musical instrument.
"It is a genuine pleasure for us to undertake this
experiment. We hope you will find pleasure in par-
ticipating. Write us regarding any feature of the
work—or any phase of your own musical problems—
we will try to be of assistance."
Dr. Sigmund Spaeth is conductor of the programs
under the head "Keys to Happiness" and Osbourne
McConathy is conductor of the programs entitled
"Music in the Air."
"Keys to Happiness" programs can be heard from
stations in New York, Boston, Providence, Worcester,
Portland, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, Pitts-
burgh, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Paul, Toronto, Rich-
mond, Va.; Clearwater, Fla.; Tampa, Louisville, Nash-
ville, Birmingham, New Orleans, Jackson, Miss.;
Tulsa, Okla.; San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Milwau-
kee, Chicago, Montreal, Superior, Wis.; Raleigh, N.
C ; Denver, Colo.; and the "Music in the Air" pro-
grams at stations in New York, Detroit, Springfield,
Boston, Rochester, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Kansas
City, Lincoln, Neb.; Toronto, Richmond, Va.;
Raleigh, N. C ; Clearwater, Fla.; Tampa, Duiuth,
Birmingham, New Orleans, Jackson, Miss.; Okla-
homa City. Denver, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami,
St. Louis, Washington, Memphis and Chicago.
A GRAND PIANO IN A GRAND HOME
A prize possession in the new Jennings home at
Glen Ellyn, the beautiful western suburb of Chicago,
is a Charles Frederick Stein grand piano. This new
home, recently occupied by the Jennings, and its
grounds constitute one of the latest in design and
attractiveness of any domicile within the suburban
radius of Chicago. It is unique in design and style
and many visitors have driven from afar to take a
look at it. But the Stein grand in the library—that is
what adds one peculiarly distinctive charm to the
great home itself, for this piano is the medium of
expression for a refined and music-loving family and
their numerous friends who come to enjoy good
music. Mr. Jennings is a candidate for mayor of
Glen Ellyn, and is likely to be elected on election
day, April 21.
E. B. BARTLETT'S RAMBLES
E. B. Bartlett, vice-president of the W. W. Kimball
Co., Chicago, who, with his wife, spent several weeks
visiting his daughter and his grandchildren at Hous-
ton, Texas, returned to his desk in Chicago some
weeks ago. However, last week he started southward
again for another trip. He was to stop at Birming-
ham, Ala., and after touching at Mobile, Ala., ex-
pected to go to Jacksonville, Fla., and then swing
back to Houston again for another brief visit. He
took his golf clubs and togs along and no doubt had
some games with his friends at Biloxi, Miss. His
wife will join him at Houston about the 15th or 20th
of April for the trip to Chicago. Mr. Bartlett's desire
is to spend from three to five months each year in
the South. He will be in Chicago at his office about
the first of May.
A CHANGE AT TACOMA
The Ted Brown Music Co. of Tacoma, Wash,, has
taken over the business of Sherman Clay & Co. at
that city, and hereafter the Sherman Clay house, after
many years in Tacoma, will retire from that field.
The new company is headed by Ted Brown, who has
been acting as store manager for Sherman Clay & Co.
The same policy of service, the same lines, and exten-
sive stock will be maintained by the Brown concern,
which has been incorporated at $50,000, he announced.
A NEW P. A. STARCK STORE
P. A. Starck Piano Co., the headquarters of which
are at 228 South Wabash avenue, Chicago, has opened
new salesrooms at 6214 Halsted street, Chicago. The
P. A. Starck Piano Co. now has stores at 4102 West
Madison, 4744 North Racine avenue, 409 East 47th
street, and 859 East 63rd street, and aside from their
stores considerable business is done from the factory
warerooms at 3859 South Ashland avenue.
E. A. FRANCIS MOTORS BACK HOME
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Francis have returned home to
Galesburg, 111., from their long journey through the
South. They spent considerable time in Florida and
also halted for a while in Mobile, Ala. Altogether
their machine covered 4,000 miles and Mr. Francis
says that about 1,000 of these miles were spent in
roaming around to places of interest. He thinks there
is still a good deal of piano business to be had, and
so this week he is arranging for a carload lot or two
of new instruments.
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