Music Trade Review
Issue: 1891 Vol. N. A - Page 3
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
tone would be the best. I would like you to send the
other piano before we return this one."
fluenced the decision of the judges?
JAPANESE MUSIC.
What are their
names, and what species of business do they carry on ?
Another letter from a dealer complained that the The New Orleans Collector, clearly, knows more about
strings of a piano had rusted. Upon enquiry the manu- pianos than these alleged piano manufacturers.
facturer discovered that the instrument in question had
been placed for some time on the seashore, under very
trying circumstances. The complaining dealer seemed
IMPROVEMENTS.
to expect that the manufacturer would be anxious to
READERS of T H E MUSIC TRADE R E V I E W will not fail
pay the freight of the piano both ways, and also to fit to observe the alterations and improvements which
it with a new set of strings.
mark the present issue of that publication. We trust
There should be a limit to these demands upon
that they will appreciate our attempts to render our
manufacturers. All reputable manufacturers are willing paper more attractive. We have only proceeded as far
to make perfectly reasonable allowances for defects as the fringe of the improved state of affairs which we
which may chance to escape their observation before desire to accomplish, and shall gradually effect such
shipment. Once the piano has been subjected, how- further changes as will cause T H E MUSIC TBADE REVIEW
ever, after uncomplaining acceptance from the maker, to win, more than ever, the respect of the trade. New
to extreme heat, cold, dampness, or other severe and
type has been specially cast for us, and will be used for
unreasonable trial, it is rather calm to expect the maker
our next number. Other alterations, all tending to
to take it back, clean it up, repair it, and pay its freight
maintain and increase the value and prestige of this
out of his own pocket.
paper and to confer new benefits upon our patrons, will
If the manufacturer yield to ail these demands, speedily follow. Our supporters, as the advertising
where will his profit be at the end of the year ? It is pages of this issue demonstrate, have not been slow to
preposterous to expect him to allow sucli absurd
greet our enterprise.
*
charges as some of those which have lately been brought
to our notice. Our manufacturers, as a rule, are just
I M P O R T A N T TO M U S I C P U B L I S H E R S .
men, and willing to yield to just claims, but such claims
MUSIC publishers will be interested in a question
do not include damage done in consequence of the
which has been raised by the new International Copy-
dealers' ignorance or the purchaser's carelessness.
right law, which extends copyright not only to foreign
books, but also to musical compositions. The new
* #
law expressly requires that books to be entitled to
VIOLATING T H E T A R I F F .
copyright must be printed " from type set within the
OUR attention has been called to the following
limits of the United States or from plates made there-
" bulletin of the American Statistical Protective
from," but does not in specific words declare that mu-
Bureau," published at No. 64 Pine street, New York.
sical compositions shall be printed from plates made
" RE-APPRAISEMENTS.
in this country. It has been held by authorities enti-
" PIANOS.
tled
to respect and confidence that it is not necessary
'PROTEST:
of Basile Brothers against the decision of the Col- to reprint foreign music here ; but that music printed
lector at New Orleans as to the rate and amount of
abroad may be copyrighted and become entitled to
duties chargeable on certain pianos imported per S.S.
Statesman, November 15, 1890.
protection.
If this is the correct view, the
DECISION :
law,
as
the
New York Herald very properly
The merchandise consists of four pianos on which
duty was assessed at 45 per cent, under paragraph 280. says, will have an important effect on the interests of
The appellants claim that the goods are dutiable at 35
per cent, ad valorem as manufactures of which wood is American houses engaged in publishing music. Hitherto
the component material of chief value.
foreign music has been extensively reprinted by these
"We find from the testimony of piano manufacturers
of this city that in all pianos wood is the component houses and there was no law to prevent it. But if the
material of chief value- Pianos are consequently duti- authorities above referred to are right, " new music
able at 35 per cent, under paragraph 280 as a manu-
from foreign composers will no longer, if copyrighted,
facture of which wood is the component material of
chief value, and the claim of the importer is sustained
be common property. Hence American houses will
accordingly.
not be free to publish it without authority, nor will
"July 17th, 1891."
they necessarily enjoy the privilege of reprinting it.
Such is the decision of the New Orleans General
It is not likely that music publishers will accept this
Appraisers. In another case, that of R. F. Downing vs.
view of the law without appealing to the courts. There
Collector of New York, wherein the merchandise con-
seems to be no reason why Congress should withhold
sisted of unfinished and incomplete sets of articles used
from them a privilege extended to book publishers.
in the make-up of piano actions, a similar decision was
No intention of making such discrimination appeared
arrived at by the appraisers.
in the debates preceding the enactment of the measure,
Seeing that the component of chief value in pianos
and it may be argued L that Congress had no such
and piano actions is iron, these decisions should have
purpose. But what the law really is on this point
been in favor of a 45 per cent, ad valorem duty.
is a question that can now be settled only by the
What kind of " piano manufacturers of this city "
courts."
must those gentlemen have been whose testimony in-
NATIVE MUSICIANS
NOTABLE
A N D THEIR
INSTRUMENTS—SOME
ARTISTS—THE AMERICAN
MUSIC
TRADE IN THE LAND OF THE MIKADO.
T
H E musical attainments of the Japanese are at
present in a very crude state of development ;
still, they give good promise for the future.
To an American, the music produced by the native
musicians, vocal and orchestral, on their primitive in-
struments, has as much harmony and sounds as musical
as the cackling of a dozen chickens in chorus, or as the
squealing of a drove of pigs at feeding time. To the
Japanese lover of music the monotonous drumming on
a taiko (ta-e-ko), which is similar to a kettle drum ;
the picking on a shamsen (sham san), an instrument
similar to a banjo in shape, having only three strings ;
or the playing of the ko to, which in form resembles
an Italian harp and is made to lie flat on the floor ;
the blowing of a fuie (fu-e-a), which is similar in make
and tone to a toy tin fife ; or the playing on the ko ku,
a three-stringed instrument about two feet in length,
but very diminutive in size in all other respects, and
which is played like a fiddle with a bow made from
bamboo, or other light material, and measuring from
four to six feet in length—to a musical subject of the
Mikado all this is divine.
TAYUSODE, THE JAPANESE VOCAL STAR.
It is a most interesting and curious sight to see a
teacher giving her pupils lessons on these five instru-
ments. Usually the pupil begins to take music lessons
at the age of four years, if he or she is ever to have any
musical training at all, and what would seem quite easy
to one accustomed to music as it is taught in America
seems rather difficult to both teacher and pupil. T o
one who does not understand their music it is difficult
to tell who knows the more, the pupil or the teacher.
Occasionally the little tot will strike a very melodious
strain, and just as you become interested or begin to
admire it the teacher directs a change which sounds
like anything but music.
I was invited to the house of a very wealthy Japan,
ese, and on my arrival the music lesson was in progress-
After taking off my shoes and hat I was ushered into a
Send for A r t Ideal Illustrated Catalogue—Free.
Modern Styles.
Latest Designs.
Perfection in Tone and Workmanship.
Story R Clark Organ Co.,
CHICAGO, ILL., U . S . A .
STYLE 6 9 0 .
Best Facilities for Manufacturing.
Close Inspection and Criticism Invited.
Agents W a n t e d at H o m e a n d Abroad—Liberal Terms.
STYLE 690.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
tone would be the best. I would like you to send the
other piano before we return this one."
fluenced the decision of the judges?
JAPANESE MUSIC.
What are their
names, and what species of business do they carry on ?
Another letter from a dealer complained that the The New Orleans Collector, clearly, knows more about
strings of a piano had rusted. Upon enquiry the manu- pianos than these alleged piano manufacturers.
facturer discovered that the instrument in question had
been placed for some time on the seashore, under very
trying circumstances. The complaining dealer seemed
IMPROVEMENTS.
to expect that the manufacturer would be anxious to
READERS of T H E MUSIC TRADE R E V I E W will not fail
pay the freight of the piano both ways, and also to fit to observe the alterations and improvements which
it with a new set of strings.
mark the present issue of that publication. We trust
There should be a limit to these demands upon
that they will appreciate our attempts to render our
manufacturers. All reputable manufacturers are willing paper more attractive. We have only proceeded as far
to make perfectly reasonable allowances for defects as the fringe of the improved state of affairs which we
which may chance to escape their observation before desire to accomplish, and shall gradually effect such
shipment. Once the piano has been subjected, how- further changes as will cause T H E MUSIC TBADE REVIEW
ever, after uncomplaining acceptance from the maker, to win, more than ever, the respect of the trade. New
to extreme heat, cold, dampness, or other severe and
type has been specially cast for us, and will be used for
unreasonable trial, it is rather calm to expect the maker
our next number. Other alterations, all tending to
to take it back, clean it up, repair it, and pay its freight
maintain and increase the value and prestige of this
out of his own pocket.
paper and to confer new benefits upon our patrons, will
If the manufacturer yield to ail these demands, speedily follow. Our supporters, as the advertising
where will his profit be at the end of the year ? It is pages of this issue demonstrate, have not been slow to
preposterous to expect him to allow sucli absurd
greet our enterprise.
*
charges as some of those which have lately been brought
to our notice. Our manufacturers, as a rule, are just
I M P O R T A N T TO M U S I C P U B L I S H E R S .
men, and willing to yield to just claims, but such claims
MUSIC publishers will be interested in a question
do not include damage done in consequence of the
which has been raised by the new International Copy-
dealers' ignorance or the purchaser's carelessness.
right law, which extends copyright not only to foreign
books, but also to musical compositions. The new
* #
law expressly requires that books to be entitled to
VIOLATING T H E T A R I F F .
copyright must be printed " from type set within the
OUR attention has been called to the following
limits of the United States or from plates made there-
" bulletin of the American Statistical Protective
from," but does not in specific words declare that mu-
Bureau," published at No. 64 Pine street, New York.
sical compositions shall be printed from plates made
" RE-APPRAISEMENTS.
in this country. It has been held by authorities enti-
" PIANOS.
tled
to respect and confidence that it is not necessary
'PROTEST:
of Basile Brothers against the decision of the Col- to reprint foreign music here ; but that music printed
lector at New Orleans as to the rate and amount of
abroad may be copyrighted and become entitled to
duties chargeable on certain pianos imported per S.S.
Statesman, November 15, 1890.
protection.
If this is the correct view, the
DECISION :
law,
as
the
New York Herald very properly
The merchandise consists of four pianos on which
duty was assessed at 45 per cent, under paragraph 280. says, will have an important effect on the interests of
The appellants claim that the goods are dutiable at 35
per cent, ad valorem as manufactures of which wood is American houses engaged in publishing music. Hitherto
the component material of chief value.
foreign music has been extensively reprinted by these
"We find from the testimony of piano manufacturers
of this city that in all pianos wood is the component houses and there was no law to prevent it. But if the
material of chief value- Pianos are consequently duti- authorities above referred to are right, " new music
able at 35 per cent, under paragraph 280 as a manu-
from foreign composers will no longer, if copyrighted,
facture of which wood is the component material of
chief value, and the claim of the importer is sustained
be common property. Hence American houses will
accordingly.
not be free to publish it without authority, nor will
"July 17th, 1891."
they necessarily enjoy the privilege of reprinting it.
Such is the decision of the New Orleans General
It is not likely that music publishers will accept this
Appraisers. In another case, that of R. F. Downing vs.
view of the law without appealing to the courts. There
Collector of New York, wherein the merchandise con-
seems to be no reason why Congress should withhold
sisted of unfinished and incomplete sets of articles used
from them a privilege extended to book publishers.
in the make-up of piano actions, a similar decision was
No intention of making such discrimination appeared
arrived at by the appraisers.
in the debates preceding the enactment of the measure,
Seeing that the component of chief value in pianos
and it may be argued L that Congress had no such
and piano actions is iron, these decisions should have
purpose. But what the law really is on this point
been in favor of a 45 per cent, ad valorem duty.
is a question that can now be settled only by the
What kind of " piano manufacturers of this city "
courts."
must those gentlemen have been whose testimony in-
NATIVE MUSICIANS
NOTABLE
A N D THEIR
INSTRUMENTS—SOME
ARTISTS—THE AMERICAN
MUSIC
TRADE IN THE LAND OF THE MIKADO.
T
H E musical attainments of the Japanese are at
present in a very crude state of development ;
still, they give good promise for the future.
To an American, the music produced by the native
musicians, vocal and orchestral, on their primitive in-
struments, has as much harmony and sounds as musical
as the cackling of a dozen chickens in chorus, or as the
squealing of a drove of pigs at feeding time. To the
Japanese lover of music the monotonous drumming on
a taiko (ta-e-ko), which is similar to a kettle drum ;
the picking on a shamsen (sham san), an instrument
similar to a banjo in shape, having only three strings ;
or the playing of the ko to, which in form resembles
an Italian harp and is made to lie flat on the floor ;
the blowing of a fuie (fu-e-a), which is similar in make
and tone to a toy tin fife ; or the playing on the ko ku,
a three-stringed instrument about two feet in length,
but very diminutive in size in all other respects, and
which is played like a fiddle with a bow made from
bamboo, or other light material, and measuring from
four to six feet in length—to a musical subject of the
Mikado all this is divine.
TAYUSODE, THE JAPANESE VOCAL STAR.
It is a most interesting and curious sight to see a
teacher giving her pupils lessons on these five instru-
ments. Usually the pupil begins to take music lessons
at the age of four years, if he or she is ever to have any
musical training at all, and what would seem quite easy
to one accustomed to music as it is taught in America
seems rather difficult to both teacher and pupil. T o
one who does not understand their music it is difficult
to tell who knows the more, the pupil or the teacher.
Occasionally the little tot will strike a very melodious
strain, and just as you become interested or begin to
admire it the teacher directs a change which sounds
like anything but music.
I was invited to the house of a very wealthy Japan,
ese, and on my arrival the music lesson was in progress-
After taking off my shoes and hat I was ushered into a
Send for A r t Ideal Illustrated Catalogue—Free.
Modern Styles.
Latest Designs.
Perfection in Tone and Workmanship.
Story R Clark Organ Co.,
CHICAGO, ILL., U . S . A .
STYLE 6 9 0 .
Best Facilities for Manufacturing.
Close Inspection and Criticism Invited.
Agents W a n t e d at H o m e a n d Abroad—Liberal Terms.
STYLE 690.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).