Music Trade Review
Issue: 1911 Vol. 53 N. 21 - Page 6
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
6
THE
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage ), United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3.50; all other coun-
tries, $4.00.
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramercy
Connecting all Departments
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25, 1911
Thanksgiving is with us once more. On this
present occasion the Editor of the Player Section
of this newspaper institution feels it his duty to
pay more than conventional attention to the idea
of Thanksgiving. Not alone for the manifold
blessings which have encompassed us all during the
past year, not alone for the turn of the business
tide which has brought us once more within sight
of prosperity and healthy economic conditions;
though these are all appropriate reasons for giving
thanks. But there are other reasons which, so far
as this Player Section is concerned, seem even
more definite and apposite. For it is just a year
since the first of these monthly additions to The
Music Trade Review was launched. When the
Editor of The Review announced his intention of
putting forth a specialized effort every month in
the interests of the player trade, and entrusted the
carrying out of this work to the hands which have
since had charge of it, he laid down as first of its
principles the idea of service. And in so doing,
he pointed out that the need was great for a con-
centrated effort towards giving the piano trade a
comprehensive view of the player situation, and
of remembering at all times the fact that the future
of the piano trade would be wound up inseparably
with the pneumatic mechanism. These facts, and
the implications necessarily arising therefrom, were
to be the bases of the new venture. And they have
so remained.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
into which The Player Section is divided have been
designed with the sole view of covering adequate
ly the very large field presented to them. For there
are indeed many sides to this player business of
ours. First, there is the big side of construction,
of mechanical design. To this we have paid care-
ful and accurate attention.
Then there is the
equally large, but not equally well understood, mu-
sical side. This again we have been from the first
careful to illustrate, describe and elucidate in a
manner both interesting and truthful. Our musi-
cal articles, written from the standpoint of the
player-piano seller and buyer, have been, we be
lieve, not a little valuable and useful. And we
might add that they have been altogether unique
as products of a trade newspaper; merely another
illustration of the policy of service to which The
Review stands committed.
Then, last, but not least, there is the great and
indispensable department of sales. Ultimately, the
retail end of the business furnishes the crux of
the situation. There is no particular sense in mak-
ing a very fine and ingenious thing at great ex-
pense, if you cannot profitably sell it. And the
precise trouble with this player game of ours has
been that exactly this selling game is the neglect-
ed thing; not alone neglected, but, what is worse,
misapprehended. Ignorance of the player as a sell-
ing proposition, indifference as to the necessity for
acquiring a well-informed knowledge of it, have
been at the bottom of nearly all the troubles where-
with the retail end of the game has been afflicted.
And it has been the continual care of The Re-
view, through its Player Section, to consider this
matter, to seek remedies for evils of it, and to
give its best care and attention towards a proper
treatment of it. Hence, the many articles on sell-
ing problems, hence the continual effort to instruct
salesmen in the details of player exploitation. All
these things have been seen in their appropriate
perspective, and so have been duly and well at-
tended to..
For the opportunity that has come to us to do
these things, for the chance that has been given
us to produce worthy work, for the prosperity that
has attended these efforts; for all these, as for
manifold blessings of all sorts that have come dur-
ing the year we record our humble and sincere
thanks.
We may be pardoned for suggesting that in the
course of the year during which The Player Sec-
tion of The Review has been regularly issued, we
have successfully kept in mind the basic ideas up-
We have a letter from a Review subscriber in
on which the original effort was made. And we which, briefly stated, he complains that many mu-
may further be pardoned for saying that we have sic rolls of popular compositions, particularly ex-
remained, as we began, quite alone in this particu- tracts from comic operas, are over-elaborated and
lar line. There is only one Player Section in any orchestrated—that it is therefore impossible to put
piano trade newspaper.
It has always been expression into the music, for when using these
the proud, and not unjust, b<5ast of The Review rolls the player-pianist is merely an automaton,
that it is a pioneer. It is true that those who first "just feeding the machine which grinds out mu-
take up the burden of new and untried ideas have sic. While it is true, as our correspondent remarks,
much to make their way hard and the path before. that the arrangements of considerable of the popu-
them dark. The ways of ease are not theirs. But lar music are elaborated, perhaps, too much so, yet
the reward of good service is the knowledge that a fair percentage of the users of player-pianos
one has rendered it. And after all, this is big rather like this enriched orchestration. With the
enough reward.
player roll manufacturers it is a matter of supply
and demand. Some have found from experience
But it is not to be supposed that the inaugura- that if the music of these popular songs or ex-
tion of its new policy of special attention to the tracts from the light operas are cut exactly from
important player business has been merely a "suc- the original score, they are too "bald" and most
ces d'estime." On the contrary, it is pleasant to uninteresting to many.
be able to say that the trade has very highly ap-
Oftentimes this elaboration of the music detracts
preciated the work we have been doing and has from the value of the composition, and it is of this,
voiced that appreciation in no uncertain terms. we are sure, that our correspondent complains.
The whole trade, through its most eminent repre- The real musicians who merely use the player-piano
sentatives, has been quick to respond to the strong as a technic means do not look with favor on this
efforts that The Review has put forth in the di- editing of music rolls. They are among the rap-
rection of illuminating and lightening the paths of idly increasing army of player-pianists who desire
those who would acquire player knowledge. And all kinds of music, both popular and classical, cut
this leads us to remark that the original design and played according to the composer's intentions.
of this Player Section, so far as its general out-
On the other hand there are a large number of
lines are conceraed, has been found to commend people who like to have music rolls "served up"
itself most, strongly to all whose opinions are wor- to them in as rich orchestral dress as possible.
thy of attention. That design was not produced These people may be unmusical, but they are among
originally without careful consideration of the facts the buyers and users of music rolls, and they must
in the case. That it has proved adequate is there- be considered by the manufacturer and the dealer.
fore a matter for congratulation.
It is difficult at any time to get unanimity of
views regarding what is right and wrong. The
Carrying on the thought, we would call atten- old saying has it, "What is one man's meat is an-
tion to the fact that the various sub-departments other man's poison," and the player music field
is no exception to the wide variance of opinion
that prevails whether the domain be art or com-
merce.
There are some manufacturers of music rolls
who cater to the musical desires of particular
player-pianists, and we feel sure it will not be dif-
ficult for our correspondent to secure rolls of the
light operas of popular numbers that are free
from the over-elaboration of which he complains.
Our correspondent further emphasizes that the
popular music should be merely an educational
means to a higher attainment in musical knowl-
edge—a love for the compositions of the great
masters—and in this connection he aptly says:
"The average player-pianist has a pretty good
idea of how these popular pieces ought to sound,
and he could put his ideas into execution if the
rolls were properly cut, and would learn more
and more how to get the various effects and how
to read the rolls and would gradually advance to
the better class of music, and be able to play it
intelligently, and his interest and enthusiasm would
continue and spread to others."
PLAYERS SHOULDJBE EMPHASIZED.
Paul B. Klugh Says the Salesmen Should Im-
press Upon Callers the Advantage of the
Player-Piano—Will Aid the Business.
Paul B. Klugh, head of the player department
of the Cable Company, was in New York early this
week.
While discussing player matters with The Review
Mr. Klugh said: "In order to achieve the best
results in the player field it is necessary that a
fuller appreciation of the advantages of the player-
piano as an educational and instructive force be
impressed upon the dealers and salesmen of this
country.
"While substantial advances have been made dur-
ing the past few years, yet all business men concede
that the increase in total output of player-pianos
has not been as rapid as indications seemed to
promise a few years ago. When we consider the
tremendous energy placed upon creating and mar-
keting player-pianos by the manufacturing end, it
would seem as if the percentage of increase as
compared with regular pianos should have been
larger; but too frequently when callers come into
piano warerooms salesmen do not impress upon
them the advantage of player-pianos; and when
you figure that there arc thousands of salesmen
who do not emphasize the advantages of the player-
piano over the regular piano, it will be seen at
once that a tremendous force is lost in player
development."
IMPROVED SHEET-ADJUSTING DEVICE.
Frank Lynde of New York was this week grant-
ed patent No. 1,008,976 on a sheet-adjusting device
for mechanical musical instruments.
This invention has for its object to provide im-
proved devices for effecting lateral adjustment of
the perforated music sheet of a mechanical musi-
cal instrument to preserve the registry of its per-
forations with the ducts of the tracker board. One
purpose in view is to make the sheet-adjusting
devices very sensitive, so that they will respond
quickly to very slight shifts of the music sheet
out of proper position; another purpose is to re-
duce to a minimum the wear upon the edge of the
music sheet in the operation of the sheet-adjust-
ing devices; and another purpose is to permit the
music sheet to be freed from contact with the sheet-
adjusting devices during the rewind.
AN IMPROVED FOLDING PEDAL.
The Auto Pneumatic Action Co., of New York,
through assignment from Thomas Danquard, were
this week granted patent No. 1,008,310 on an im-
proved folding pedal which is particulaily adapted
for use in connection with piano, organ, or player
cases, and the principal objects are to provide a
simple and convenient construction which can be
folded into the case in a very small compass, and
especially to provide for folding the parts into the
case of a pneumatic player piano or the like in front
of the pumps or feeders.
6
THE
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage ), United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3.50; all other coun-
tries, $4.00.
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramercy
Connecting all Departments
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25, 1911
Thanksgiving is with us once more. On this
present occasion the Editor of the Player Section
of this newspaper institution feels it his duty to
pay more than conventional attention to the idea
of Thanksgiving. Not alone for the manifold
blessings which have encompassed us all during the
past year, not alone for the turn of the business
tide which has brought us once more within sight
of prosperity and healthy economic conditions;
though these are all appropriate reasons for giving
thanks. But there are other reasons which, so far
as this Player Section is concerned, seem even
more definite and apposite. For it is just a year
since the first of these monthly additions to The
Music Trade Review was launched. When the
Editor of The Review announced his intention of
putting forth a specialized effort every month in
the interests of the player trade, and entrusted the
carrying out of this work to the hands which have
since had charge of it, he laid down as first of its
principles the idea of service. And in so doing,
he pointed out that the need was great for a con-
centrated effort towards giving the piano trade a
comprehensive view of the player situation, and
of remembering at all times the fact that the future
of the piano trade would be wound up inseparably
with the pneumatic mechanism. These facts, and
the implications necessarily arising therefrom, were
to be the bases of the new venture. And they have
so remained.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
into which The Player Section is divided have been
designed with the sole view of covering adequate
ly the very large field presented to them. For there
are indeed many sides to this player business of
ours. First, there is the big side of construction,
of mechanical design. To this we have paid care-
ful and accurate attention.
Then there is the
equally large, but not equally well understood, mu-
sical side. This again we have been from the first
careful to illustrate, describe and elucidate in a
manner both interesting and truthful. Our musi-
cal articles, written from the standpoint of the
player-piano seller and buyer, have been, we be
lieve, not a little valuable and useful. And we
might add that they have been altogether unique
as products of a trade newspaper; merely another
illustration of the policy of service to which The
Review stands committed.
Then, last, but not least, there is the great and
indispensable department of sales. Ultimately, the
retail end of the business furnishes the crux of
the situation. There is no particular sense in mak-
ing a very fine and ingenious thing at great ex-
pense, if you cannot profitably sell it. And the
precise trouble with this player game of ours has
been that exactly this selling game is the neglect-
ed thing; not alone neglected, but, what is worse,
misapprehended. Ignorance of the player as a sell-
ing proposition, indifference as to the necessity for
acquiring a well-informed knowledge of it, have
been at the bottom of nearly all the troubles where-
with the retail end of the game has been afflicted.
And it has been the continual care of The Re-
view, through its Player Section, to consider this
matter, to seek remedies for evils of it, and to
give its best care and attention towards a proper
treatment of it. Hence, the many articles on sell-
ing problems, hence the continual effort to instruct
salesmen in the details of player exploitation. All
these things have been seen in their appropriate
perspective, and so have been duly and well at-
tended to..
For the opportunity that has come to us to do
these things, for the chance that has been given
us to produce worthy work, for the prosperity that
has attended these efforts; for all these, as for
manifold blessings of all sorts that have come dur-
ing the year we record our humble and sincere
thanks.
We may be pardoned for suggesting that in the
course of the year during which The Player Sec-
tion of The Review has been regularly issued, we
have successfully kept in mind the basic ideas up-
We have a letter from a Review subscriber in
on which the original effort was made. And we which, briefly stated, he complains that many mu-
may further be pardoned for saying that we have sic rolls of popular compositions, particularly ex-
remained, as we began, quite alone in this particu- tracts from comic operas, are over-elaborated and
lar line. There is only one Player Section in any orchestrated—that it is therefore impossible to put
piano trade newspaper.
It has always been expression into the music, for when using these
the proud, and not unjust, b<5ast of The Review rolls the player-pianist is merely an automaton,
that it is a pioneer. It is true that those who first "just feeding the machine which grinds out mu-
take up the burden of new and untried ideas have sic. While it is true, as our correspondent remarks,
much to make their way hard and the path before. that the arrangements of considerable of the popu-
them dark. The ways of ease are not theirs. But lar music are elaborated, perhaps, too much so, yet
the reward of good service is the knowledge that a fair percentage of the users of player-pianos
one has rendered it. And after all, this is big rather like this enriched orchestration. With the
enough reward.
player roll manufacturers it is a matter of supply
and demand. Some have found from experience
But it is not to be supposed that the inaugura- that if the music of these popular songs or ex-
tion of its new policy of special attention to the tracts from the light operas are cut exactly from
important player business has been merely a "suc- the original score, they are too "bald" and most
ces d'estime." On the contrary, it is pleasant to uninteresting to many.
be able to say that the trade has very highly ap-
Oftentimes this elaboration of the music detracts
preciated the work we have been doing and has from the value of the composition, and it is of this,
voiced that appreciation in no uncertain terms. we are sure, that our correspondent complains.
The whole trade, through its most eminent repre- The real musicians who merely use the player-piano
sentatives, has been quick to respond to the strong as a technic means do not look with favor on this
efforts that The Review has put forth in the di- editing of music rolls. They are among the rap-
rection of illuminating and lightening the paths of idly increasing army of player-pianists who desire
those who would acquire player knowledge. And all kinds of music, both popular and classical, cut
this leads us to remark that the original design and played according to the composer's intentions.
of this Player Section, so far as its general out-
On the other hand there are a large number of
lines are conceraed, has been found to commend people who like to have music rolls "served up"
itself most, strongly to all whose opinions are wor- to them in as rich orchestral dress as possible.
thy of attention. That design was not produced These people may be unmusical, but they are among
originally without careful consideration of the facts the buyers and users of music rolls, and they must
in the case. That it has proved adequate is there- be considered by the manufacturer and the dealer.
fore a matter for congratulation.
It is difficult at any time to get unanimity of
views regarding what is right and wrong. The
Carrying on the thought, we would call atten- old saying has it, "What is one man's meat is an-
tion to the fact that the various sub-departments other man's poison," and the player music field
is no exception to the wide variance of opinion
that prevails whether the domain be art or com-
merce.
There are some manufacturers of music rolls
who cater to the musical desires of particular
player-pianists, and we feel sure it will not be dif-
ficult for our correspondent to secure rolls of the
light operas of popular numbers that are free
from the over-elaboration of which he complains.
Our correspondent further emphasizes that the
popular music should be merely an educational
means to a higher attainment in musical knowl-
edge—a love for the compositions of the great
masters—and in this connection he aptly says:
"The average player-pianist has a pretty good
idea of how these popular pieces ought to sound,
and he could put his ideas into execution if the
rolls were properly cut, and would learn more
and more how to get the various effects and how
to read the rolls and would gradually advance to
the better class of music, and be able to play it
intelligently, and his interest and enthusiasm would
continue and spread to others."
PLAYERS SHOULDJBE EMPHASIZED.
Paul B. Klugh Says the Salesmen Should Im-
press Upon Callers the Advantage of the
Player-Piano—Will Aid the Business.
Paul B. Klugh, head of the player department
of the Cable Company, was in New York early this
week.
While discussing player matters with The Review
Mr. Klugh said: "In order to achieve the best
results in the player field it is necessary that a
fuller appreciation of the advantages of the player-
piano as an educational and instructive force be
impressed upon the dealers and salesmen of this
country.
"While substantial advances have been made dur-
ing the past few years, yet all business men concede
that the increase in total output of player-pianos
has not been as rapid as indications seemed to
promise a few years ago. When we consider the
tremendous energy placed upon creating and mar-
keting player-pianos by the manufacturing end, it
would seem as if the percentage of increase as
compared with regular pianos should have been
larger; but too frequently when callers come into
piano warerooms salesmen do not impress upon
them the advantage of player-pianos; and when
you figure that there arc thousands of salesmen
who do not emphasize the advantages of the player-
piano over the regular piano, it will be seen at
once that a tremendous force is lost in player
development."
IMPROVED SHEET-ADJUSTING DEVICE.
Frank Lynde of New York was this week grant-
ed patent No. 1,008,976 on a sheet-adjusting device
for mechanical musical instruments.
This invention has for its object to provide im-
proved devices for effecting lateral adjustment of
the perforated music sheet of a mechanical musi-
cal instrument to preserve the registry of its per-
forations with the ducts of the tracker board. One
purpose in view is to make the sheet-adjusting
devices very sensitive, so that they will respond
quickly to very slight shifts of the music sheet
out of proper position; another purpose is to re-
duce to a minimum the wear upon the edge of the
music sheet in the operation of the sheet-adjust-
ing devices; and another purpose is to permit the
music sheet to be freed from contact with the sheet-
adjusting devices during the rewind.
AN IMPROVED FOLDING PEDAL.
The Auto Pneumatic Action Co., of New York,
through assignment from Thomas Danquard, were
this week granted patent No. 1,008,310 on an im-
proved folding pedal which is particulaily adapted
for use in connection with piano, organ, or player
cases, and the principal objects are to provide a
simple and convenient construction which can be
folded into the case in a very small compass, and
especially to provide for folding the parts into the
case of a pneumatic player piano or the like in front
of the pumps or feeders.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).