Music Trade Review
Issue: 1905 Vol. 40 N. 9 - Page 7
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE REVIEW'S TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT.
Conducted and Edited by Wm. B. White.
a certain amount of expense in the rearrange-
ment of patterns, and of regulation methods, and
here perhaps is to be found the chief reason for
fossilized conservatism.
We cannot entirely blame the makers of
actions for sticking to one pattern for so long.
They are not exactly in business for their health,
[Contributions are invited for this department from members of the industry bearing strictly on the practical side and so long as the tuners, regulators and repair-
of the craft
Communications must be signed with the name and address of Hie sender
The editor ac- ers remain silent under their troubles, it is not
cepts no responsibility for the opinions of correspondents.]
to be expected that action makers will go to
"In regard to the 'get-at-ableness' of damper trouble and expense, or that manufacturers will
The department has great pleasure in printing
the following communications from gentlemen springs it has long been an idea of mine that impose new factory methods upon their mechan-
in widely separated parts of the country. No bet- the dampers could easily be screwed on to a sep- ics. In short, if the men who are in the best po-
ter tribute to the great and widespread influence arate piece of wood, it in turn to be screwed on sition to judge keep their mouths sealed, their
of both The Review and the department might be to the flange rail with a long screw at each di- silence will be interpreted as implying consent.
imagined. We print both in the one issue, partly vision. This would make it an easy and quick One of the chief objects that the editor of The
on account of the immediate interest of each, job to take off all the dampers for the purpose of Review had in mind when he established the
and partly for the purpose of exhibiting the refelting whenever the spoons wore down the technical department will be fulfilled when the
felts. It would also allow the damper springs practical men use it as a mouthpiece to voice
catholic nature of the department's scope:
to be lubricated quickly when they squeaked. In their valuable ideas on such matters. The tech-
case of a new set of bridle tapes being needed, nical editor is strongly in sympathy with any
"Elko, Nevada, Feb. 10, 1905.
which
frequently happens through the agency of movement that will assist in the work of rescu-
"To the Editor of the Technical Department.
"Dear Sir:—I greatly enjoy reading the dis- mice, the hammers would then fall forward tar ing the trade from sterility and fossilization. He
cussions in the technical department of The Re- enough to permit of work on that part of the ac- repeats here his invitation to his practical read-
view. It is like listening to the remarks of a tion. Likewise cushion felts or knuckles could be ers to submit their views upon any such matters
friend. An honest expert critic to point out pos- reached without disturbing the rest of the action, and especially on the very subjects that have
sible errors and give- feasible suggestions of im- or the hammers themselves. Of course, the ham- been so lucidly discussed by Messrs. Fea and Del-
provements is sure to be a benefit to any indus- mer-butt spring rail could easily be taken off fraisse. They may be sure of careful attention
and criticism in these columns. Let the brethren
try. By calling attention to the bad points along after the dampers were out of the way.
with the good, talent will be put to work in the
"I do not think that the muffler can be improved awake and let their voices be heard in the land.
right places and good results will follow. Your upon. Separate pieces of felt suitable for a muf-
The editor of this department trusts that he
article of January 28th, criticising Mr. Thack- fler would not hold their shape long enough if
eray's attempted improvements, was grand. It used; in fact, few mufflers are ever used at all will be able at some time to elicit the views of
an action maker upon the important topics that
showed both the accomplishments and the fail- and when they are, their life is very short.
ures. Manufacturers, as well as inventors, should
"Your point regarding the fact that it is long have been made the subject of comment in these
profit by knowing exactly how the invention after the manufacturer has sold his product that columns. There is no more pressing need in the
stands. Permit me to call your attention to my the evils become apparent is exceedingly well put. trade to-day than a revival of inventive activity
keyboard invention, of which the patent Even the manufacturers of the most popular in the mechanical end of the instrument. It is
specification,is enclosed, and which was described and high-grade pianos seem to have no thought a melancholy fact that for thirty years improve-
in The Review on March 5, 1904. Its object is of the time when repairs will become necessary ments in pianoforte action mechanism have been
to do away with the necessity of learning to play upon their instruments. In these days, the tuner limited to the "lost-motion attachments," the
in twelve different scales. Is the object worth who finds every part of an action easily access- metal flange rails, and the Steinert invention.
noticing? Does the keyboard, allowing for touch ible will become one of the greatest of advertis-
It would be dishonest to contend, for other
and mechanical imperfections, accomplish the de- ing media, and instead of condemning the in-
sired object? An answer either in your columns strument will feel like praising it to the skies. than official purposes, that perfection of any kind
or by mail will greatly oblige your humble stu- Conscientious praise from tuners, bestowed upon has been reached in the touch mechanism of the
dent,
.
GEORCK L. NOE."
an old piano, will lend more prestige to the name pianoforte. To make such statements is disin-
of such an instrument than columns of praise genuous, and excites risibility rather than re-
spect. It is, however, a hopeful sign for the fu-
Enclosed with this letter is the patent specifi- from all the world's artists upon it when new.
"As a salesman and tuner for many years the ture that our correspondents have so lively a
cation of a new style of pianoforte keyboard. As
sense of the defects of the actions that they are
stated above, its object is to permit the player force of this argument has often struck me.
called
upon to repair, and that they have studied
"In regard to substituting metal rods for thvJ
to render music in any desired key with one no-
the
possibilities
of these actions sufficiently to
wooden ones now used for pedal rods, my idea
tation and one fingering.
enable
them
to
suggest
practical methods of re-
has been for a long time that these should pull
form
and
betterment.
• Thus it may be described as a variation of the down instead of pushing up, and subsequent ob-
well-known "transposing keyboard," with the dif- servation of the pedals on some pneumatic elec-
The point made by Mr. Delfraisse in regard to
ference that its range extends throughout the tric pianos has strengthened by opinion. Such mufflers is well taken. The device really gets
rods
cannot
squeak.
•whole twelve keys used in musical notation. Ac-
very little use from piano owners, and when it
"Very truly yours, E. J. DELFKAISSE."
cording to the statement of the inventor the pro-
is used continually it quickly dies a dishonorable
posed keyboard is devised to permit a performer
There are several points in this interesting death. It is a noticeable fact that the most emi-
"to play the notes from the score of any given
communication
that are worth the careful atten- nent makers haVe not made it a practice to place
piece entirely upon the white keys without pay-
these artificial and foreign arrangements within
ing any regard to the signature, so that the per- tion of the student of technical matters. It shows their instruments. Indeed, one is forced to the
among
other
things
that
the
ideas
expressed
by
for/uor is relieved of the mental operation of
conclusion that mufflers exist largely for the pur-
computing the changes to be made according to Mr. Fea and criticised by the editor of this de- pose of providing a "talking-point" for the wily
partment have a sound basis. Mr. Delfraisse
the key-signature."
goes so far as to suggest a specific method for salesman.
This is a distinct variation and deserves par- separating the damper action from the rest of
The other suggestion made by our New Or-
ticular attention on account of the novel means the mechanism by the interposition of a rail, the leans correspondent to the effect that the tuner
that are employed to achieve the desired results. latter to contain the complete damping arrange- has within him hitherto-undreamed-of possibili-
We shall therefore give a full account of the in- ments and to be attached to the rest of the action ties as an advertising medium, deserves the care-
vention, together with a critical examination of in such a manner as to make it possible to re- ful consideration of manufacturers and their pro-
the inventor's claims, and the manner in which move it, without disturbing the other parts.
moters of publicity. Subtly hidden away in this
he proceeds to substantiate them. This will be
There seems to be little fault here. It would seemingly casual remark is a world of sugges-
the subject of the article on this page next week.
certainly be an inestimable boon to the tuner and tion. The honest opinion of a good tuner as to
the merits of a used pianoforte far outshines in
\ The second communication to which the read- repairer if the present slow, clumsy, and tedious real value the plaudits of a thousand concert
task
of
removing
each
damper
lever
from
the
com-
er's attention is directed, is from a gentleman
artists.
who is connected with the renowned New Or- mon flange rail were superseded by some such a
device
as
our
correspondent
suggests.
There
is
leans house, The L. Grunewald Co., Ltd. Our cor-
But the idea is full of possibilities beyond this.
respondent is a practical piano man, and his surely nothing of insuperable difficulty about the Full of boundless possibilities, and these of so
idea; in fact, it gains in our admiration the more recondite a nature that we can more safely com-
words have more than passing interest.
it is considered. How often, we wonder, does it mend them to the study of our manufacturing
occur to the manufacturers that the damper lev- friends than lay them bare in the unsympathetic
"New Orleans, La., Feb. 16, 1905.
ers must occasionally be taken off, or the columns of the technical department. To do so
"Editor Technical Department,
whole damper line screwed up? It seems were to inject too much of the psychological into
"The Music Trade Review.
"Dear Sir:—As a close and interested reader that they seldom pay any attention to the our remarks, and this would never do.
of your department and a practical workman, I matter, since they have arranged the dam-
beg. to submit the following ideas prompted by per mechanism in precisely the most incon-
Communications for this department should be
Mr. Fea's letter in your issue of the 11th inst, venient manner that could possibly be devised. addressed to the Editor, Technical Department,
Of course, any such reform requires trouble and The Music Trade Review.
and your own comments thereon:
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE REVIEW'S TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT.
Conducted and Edited by Wm. B. White.
a certain amount of expense in the rearrange-
ment of patterns, and of regulation methods, and
here perhaps is to be found the chief reason for
fossilized conservatism.
We cannot entirely blame the makers of
actions for sticking to one pattern for so long.
They are not exactly in business for their health,
[Contributions are invited for this department from members of the industry bearing strictly on the practical side and so long as the tuners, regulators and repair-
of the craft
Communications must be signed with the name and address of Hie sender
The editor ac- ers remain silent under their troubles, it is not
cepts no responsibility for the opinions of correspondents.]
to be expected that action makers will go to
"In regard to the 'get-at-ableness' of damper trouble and expense, or that manufacturers will
The department has great pleasure in printing
the following communications from gentlemen springs it has long been an idea of mine that impose new factory methods upon their mechan-
in widely separated parts of the country. No bet- the dampers could easily be screwed on to a sep- ics. In short, if the men who are in the best po-
ter tribute to the great and widespread influence arate piece of wood, it in turn to be screwed on sition to judge keep their mouths sealed, their
of both The Review and the department might be to the flange rail with a long screw at each di- silence will be interpreted as implying consent.
imagined. We print both in the one issue, partly vision. This would make it an easy and quick One of the chief objects that the editor of The
on account of the immediate interest of each, job to take off all the dampers for the purpose of Review had in mind when he established the
and partly for the purpose of exhibiting the refelting whenever the spoons wore down the technical department will be fulfilled when the
felts. It would also allow the damper springs practical men use it as a mouthpiece to voice
catholic nature of the department's scope:
to be lubricated quickly when they squeaked. In their valuable ideas on such matters. The tech-
case of a new set of bridle tapes being needed, nical editor is strongly in sympathy with any
"Elko, Nevada, Feb. 10, 1905.
which
frequently happens through the agency of movement that will assist in the work of rescu-
"To the Editor of the Technical Department.
"Dear Sir:—I greatly enjoy reading the dis- mice, the hammers would then fall forward tar ing the trade from sterility and fossilization. He
cussions in the technical department of The Re- enough to permit of work on that part of the ac- repeats here his invitation to his practical read-
view. It is like listening to the remarks of a tion. Likewise cushion felts or knuckles could be ers to submit their views upon any such matters
friend. An honest expert critic to point out pos- reached without disturbing the rest of the action, and especially on the very subjects that have
sible errors and give- feasible suggestions of im- or the hammers themselves. Of course, the ham- been so lucidly discussed by Messrs. Fea and Del-
provements is sure to be a benefit to any indus- mer-butt spring rail could easily be taken off fraisse. They may be sure of careful attention
and criticism in these columns. Let the brethren
try. By calling attention to the bad points along after the dampers were out of the way.
with the good, talent will be put to work in the
"I do not think that the muffler can be improved awake and let their voices be heard in the land.
right places and good results will follow. Your upon. Separate pieces of felt suitable for a muf-
The editor of this department trusts that he
article of January 28th, criticising Mr. Thack- fler would not hold their shape long enough if
eray's attempted improvements, was grand. It used; in fact, few mufflers are ever used at all will be able at some time to elicit the views of
an action maker upon the important topics that
showed both the accomplishments and the fail- and when they are, their life is very short.
ures. Manufacturers, as well as inventors, should
"Your point regarding the fact that it is long have been made the subject of comment in these
profit by knowing exactly how the invention after the manufacturer has sold his product that columns. There is no more pressing need in the
stands. Permit me to call your attention to my the evils become apparent is exceedingly well put. trade to-day than a revival of inventive activity
keyboard invention, of which the patent Even the manufacturers of the most popular in the mechanical end of the instrument. It is
specification,is enclosed, and which was described and high-grade pianos seem to have no thought a melancholy fact that for thirty years improve-
in The Review on March 5, 1904. Its object is of the time when repairs will become necessary ments in pianoforte action mechanism have been
to do away with the necessity of learning to play upon their instruments. In these days, the tuner limited to the "lost-motion attachments," the
in twelve different scales. Is the object worth who finds every part of an action easily access- metal flange rails, and the Steinert invention.
noticing? Does the keyboard, allowing for touch ible will become one of the greatest of advertis-
It would be dishonest to contend, for other
and mechanical imperfections, accomplish the de- ing media, and instead of condemning the in-
sired object? An answer either in your columns strument will feel like praising it to the skies. than official purposes, that perfection of any kind
or by mail will greatly oblige your humble stu- Conscientious praise from tuners, bestowed upon has been reached in the touch mechanism of the
dent,
.
GEORCK L. NOE."
an old piano, will lend more prestige to the name pianoforte. To make such statements is disin-
of such an instrument than columns of praise genuous, and excites risibility rather than re-
spect. It is, however, a hopeful sign for the fu-
Enclosed with this letter is the patent specifi- from all the world's artists upon it when new.
"As a salesman and tuner for many years the ture that our correspondents have so lively a
cation of a new style of pianoforte keyboard. As
sense of the defects of the actions that they are
stated above, its object is to permit the player force of this argument has often struck me.
called
upon to repair, and that they have studied
"In regard to substituting metal rods for thvJ
to render music in any desired key with one no-
the
possibilities
of these actions sufficiently to
wooden ones now used for pedal rods, my idea
tation and one fingering.
enable
them
to
suggest
practical methods of re-
has been for a long time that these should pull
form
and
betterment.
• Thus it may be described as a variation of the down instead of pushing up, and subsequent ob-
well-known "transposing keyboard," with the dif- servation of the pedals on some pneumatic elec-
The point made by Mr. Delfraisse in regard to
ference that its range extends throughout the tric pianos has strengthened by opinion. Such mufflers is well taken. The device really gets
rods
cannot
squeak.
•whole twelve keys used in musical notation. Ac-
very little use from piano owners, and when it
"Very truly yours, E. J. DELFKAISSE."
cording to the statement of the inventor the pro-
is used continually it quickly dies a dishonorable
posed keyboard is devised to permit a performer
There are several points in this interesting death. It is a noticeable fact that the most emi-
"to play the notes from the score of any given
communication
that are worth the careful atten- nent makers haVe not made it a practice to place
piece entirely upon the white keys without pay-
these artificial and foreign arrangements within
ing any regard to the signature, so that the per- tion of the student of technical matters. It shows their instruments. Indeed, one is forced to the
among
other
things
that
the
ideas
expressed
by
for/uor is relieved of the mental operation of
conclusion that mufflers exist largely for the pur-
computing the changes to be made according to Mr. Fea and criticised by the editor of this de- pose of providing a "talking-point" for the wily
partment have a sound basis. Mr. Delfraisse
the key-signature."
goes so far as to suggest a specific method for salesman.
This is a distinct variation and deserves par- separating the damper action from the rest of
The other suggestion made by our New Or-
ticular attention on account of the novel means the mechanism by the interposition of a rail, the leans correspondent to the effect that the tuner
that are employed to achieve the desired results. latter to contain the complete damping arrange- has within him hitherto-undreamed-of possibili-
We shall therefore give a full account of the in- ments and to be attached to the rest of the action ties as an advertising medium, deserves the care-
vention, together with a critical examination of in such a manner as to make it possible to re- ful consideration of manufacturers and their pro-
the inventor's claims, and the manner in which move it, without disturbing the other parts.
moters of publicity. Subtly hidden away in this
he proceeds to substantiate them. This will be
There seems to be little fault here. It would seemingly casual remark is a world of sugges-
the subject of the article on this page next week.
certainly be an inestimable boon to the tuner and tion. The honest opinion of a good tuner as to
the merits of a used pianoforte far outshines in
\ The second communication to which the read- repairer if the present slow, clumsy, and tedious real value the plaudits of a thousand concert
task
of
removing
each
damper
lever
from
the
com-
er's attention is directed, is from a gentleman
artists.
who is connected with the renowned New Or- mon flange rail were superseded by some such a
device
as
our
correspondent
suggests.
There
is
leans house, The L. Grunewald Co., Ltd. Our cor-
But the idea is full of possibilities beyond this.
respondent is a practical piano man, and his surely nothing of insuperable difficulty about the Full of boundless possibilities, and these of so
idea; in fact, it gains in our admiration the more recondite a nature that we can more safely com-
words have more than passing interest.
it is considered. How often, we wonder, does it mend them to the study of our manufacturing
occur to the manufacturers that the damper lev- friends than lay them bare in the unsympathetic
"New Orleans, La., Feb. 16, 1905.
ers must occasionally be taken off, or the columns of the technical department. To do so
"Editor Technical Department,
whole damper line screwed up? It seems were to inject too much of the psychological into
"The Music Trade Review.
"Dear Sir:—As a close and interested reader that they seldom pay any attention to the our remarks, and this would never do.
of your department and a practical workman, I matter, since they have arranged the dam-
beg. to submit the following ideas prompted by per mechanism in precisely the most incon-
Communications for this department should be
Mr. Fea's letter in your issue of the 11th inst, venient manner that could possibly be devised. addressed to the Editor, Technical Department,
Of course, any such reform requires trouble and The Music Trade Review.
and your own comments thereon:
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