Music Trade Review
Issue: 1912 Vol. 54 N. 8 - Page 9
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
well in connection with machinery of the conven-
tional kind, but is altogether bad when applied in
connection with musical instruments, no matter
how much machinery these may contain. (They
all contain some, anyway.) When you talk of
"operating" you suggest the idea "mechanical,"
which means, by implication, all that is uniform,
souless, regular and monotonous. And that is just
what you should not suggest in connection with
music. Why not simply talk of "playing"? Would
not that cover the whole situation clearly and
simply, as well as thoroughly? Think it over!
Player-Pedal Technic.
If the player pedals are really to be used as
means of expression as well as means of power,
then plainly there must be something more to them
than merely the supplying of power. And, in fact,
there is everything more to them. They can be
used to obtain any possible variety of force in
playing and every possible kind of touch or ac-
centuation. The potentialities are immense, the
means absurdly simple. The whole principle can
be expressed in the most elementary form; if you
want to play loudly, pedal energetically; if you
want to play softly, pedal gently. And there you
are. Yet within these childishly simple directions
there rest a multitude of variations. One might
talk for hours about the possibilities of pedal
technic, simple as these are. But perhaps no bet-
ter explanation of what this technic is can be
found than in the following words, quoted from an
author who knows what he is talking about:
A Quotation.
"One of the first sins usually committed by the
novice at the player-piano," says our author, "is
in this matter of pedaling * * * everybody at
first works them far too energetically. * * *
When begining to use the player-piano let the feet
be placed firmly upon the pedals, except when a
special accent is recfuired. In the latter case the
extra pressure required can be obtained by press-
ing with the ball or toes of the foot. Let the
pedaling be slow and gentle, but never imagine that
it is necessary to have the reservoir bellows always
entirely exhausted. If you want a sudden in-
crease of force, press a little harder; when you
wish a diminution, pedal more gently. * * *
The foot pedals again can be used most advantage-
ously in connection with the accent lever. When
this lever (or button—Ed.) is used, a slight extra
pressure on the foot pedals at the moment when
the former is thrown open will induce a most
agreeable accenting. In fact, this extra pressure
will soon become automatic. * * * The mas-
tery of 'judicious pedaling,' then, * * * is com-
prised in careful observance of the following three
rules: (1) Do not pedal too hard; (2) let the
variation in pedaling force be governed entirely by
the requirements of the interpretation; (3) use the
extra pedal pressure always for an accent in com-
bination with the accenting lever (or button—
Ed.)."
MUSIC TRADE! REVIEW
notes are struck at the same time. Some of the
present arrangements have series of chords of 12
J. R. Reed Music Co., Austin, Tex., Engages or 13 notes the full length of the keyboard, and a
Capable Young Lady to Give One Month's great many trills that no performer would put in,
Free Lessons in Player Instruction to Every and when these rolls are played they sound un-
Purchaser—To Extend Service to All Player natural—they are bound to sound that way, and a
Owners an Advanced Step in Player Selling ' great many people are prejudiced against the
player-piano for that reason.
Worthy of Comment.
''Now, what is the secret of a satisfactory roll?
Simply this: the ordinary sheet music is too simple,
A distinct innovation and a decided advance in
the successful marketing of player-pianos has re- so make an elaborate arrangement, leaving out all
cently been introduced by the J. R. Reed Music trills except those that a hand player would put in,
Co., Austin, Tex., which has retained the services and never have more notes struck simultaneously
of Miss Louise Pfaefflin, an accomplished player- than a hand performer could play and stretch.
Such an arrangement could be made exceedingly
pianist, to instruct purchasers of that instrument
a« to its proper use. It is planned to give free elaborate, running all over the keyboard, and at
individual instruction for one month to all pur- the same time will sound really brilliant, just like
chasers of player-pianos from the J. R. Reed Music the playing of an expert. If necessary the chords
Co., and arrangements will be made to give similar could sound together, as, for instance, instead of
instruction to all other owners of player-pianos one chord of 12 notes (as in the present music
rolls) two six-note chords might be arranged, the
upon application.
The latest move of the Dallas house is fully notes of the first chord being cut long enough so
in keeping with suggestions that have been made they will be sounding when the second chord comes
in that connection by the editor of the Player in. However, the crux of the matter is 'Don't
have more nol'es struck at the same time than a
Section of the Review, and it is to be believed
that other retailers of player-pianos will see the hand performer could play,' no matter how elabo-
rate the arrangement. Then the peculiar mechani-
wisdom of the plan.
When properly instructed in the use of the cal sound of the present rolls will disappear, in a
player-piano the owner feels confidence in himself, great measure."
INSTRUCTION FOR PLAYER OWNERS.
and if the instrument is a fairly good one the per-
sonal enjoyment and satisfaction he may secure
from his purchase is practically unlimited.
A proper understanding of the operation of the
player gained through a special course of instruc-
tion as that planned by the Texas concern also
enables the player-piano to be advertised among
the friends of the owner as it should be—an in-
strument of real possibilities and not a mere auto-
matic music maker, and thereby have a direct and
desirable influence upon future sales. The J. R.
Reed Music Co. deserves all credit for blazing a
new road to increased player-piano sales.
THE ARRANGING OF MUSIC ROLLS.
An Interesting Letter from a New York Cor-
respondent Regarding the Cutting of Music
Rolls in Which a Number of Suggestions Are
Offered for the Benefit of Manufacturers.
The following interesting and suggestive letter is
from the pen of B. R. White, of 36 West 93d
street, New York. It relates to the arrangement
of music on rolls, which was touched on in the
article "The Music Roll as a Selling Proposition"
in the Player Section for January. The sugges-
tions made by the writer are highly original and
valuable and are commended to the notice of music
roll uumufacturers. Mr. White says:
''Dear Sir—I have read the article about unsatis-
factory music rolls in your last issue with much
interest. The classical music, as a rule, is cut
fairly satisfactorily, but the popular music is not.
So far our author. Space prevents further re-
Some of the best-liked acts in vaudeville at pres-
marks at this time, but we shall take up this mat-
ent are the 'pianologues.' The performer plays
ter in more detail next month.
popular music in a very elaborate way (take Mel-
INCORPORATE TO MAKE PLAYERS.
ville Ellis, for instance), and the people that like
these pianologues are, as a rule, the class that buys
The Petite Player Piano Co. has been incor-
player-pianos, and they want rolls of popular music
porated under the laws of Delaware, with capital
that will sound as brilliant as the playing of one
stock of $250,000, and for the purpose of manu-
of
these performers. But the present rolls do not
facturing musical instruments and players of all
sound
that way. In spite of the claims of the
kinds. The incorporators are: Edward J. Thelin,
manufacturers, their rolls are not brilliant—they
Maynard, 111.; R. J. Bennett, Rock Island, 111., and
are simply noisy and mechanical, because too many
Charles L. Barnes, of Chicago.
RETURNSJ^ EUROPE.
A. J. Mason, Vice-President and General Man-
ager of the Orchestrelle Co., London, Eng.,
Returns After a Visit to This Country.
A. J. Mason, vice-president and general man-
ager of the Orchestrelle Co., London, England,
who has been in this country for nearly a month,
returned to his home and business duties in Lon-
don Wednesday, sailing via the White Star Line
steamship "Olympic." During his stay in America,
Mr. Mason renewed many old friendships among
the piano men throughout the East. With the ex-
ception of a brief visit to relatives in Toronto,
Canada, the majority of his time was spent among
the Aeolian Co.'s branch stores and factories, and
at Aeolian Hall. Mr. Mason said to The Review,
just before leaving: "My trip has been more than
pleasant in every respect, and regret that I cannot
remain here a few weeks longer. I admire the
hustle of American business methods and shall
look forward to the occasion of my next visit."
MAKE CHEERY BUSINESS REPORT.
The Melville Clark Piano Co., 305 Fifth ave-
nue, according to Alfred R. Spoerl, assistant to
Eastern Manager E. J. Delfraisse, is enjoying a
business which is unprecedented for this season
of the year. Sales of the Solo Apollo are climb-
ing to heights which even the holiday trade failed
to reach, with the other Melville Clark products a
close second. Manager E. J. Delfraisse returned
Saturday'from several days among the trade at
Buffalo and vicinity. He reports retail conditions
in that section as excellent and that piano men
generally, in business up-State, are looking for-
ward to a banner year.
TO SPECIALIZE IN MUSIC ROLLS.
The A. Hospe Co., Omaha, Neb., has decided
to make its music roll department a special fea-
ture of its business, and has placed Arthur
Engleman, of Chicago, in charge of that depart-
ment.
The Master Player-Piano
is now equipped with an
AUTOMATIC TRACKING DEVICE
Which guarantees absolutely correct tracking of even the most imperfect music rolls
W I N T E R & CO., 220 Southern Boulevard, New York City
THE
well in connection with machinery of the conven-
tional kind, but is altogether bad when applied in
connection with musical instruments, no matter
how much machinery these may contain. (They
all contain some, anyway.) When you talk of
"operating" you suggest the idea "mechanical,"
which means, by implication, all that is uniform,
souless, regular and monotonous. And that is just
what you should not suggest in connection with
music. Why not simply talk of "playing"? Would
not that cover the whole situation clearly and
simply, as well as thoroughly? Think it over!
Player-Pedal Technic.
If the player pedals are really to be used as
means of expression as well as means of power,
then plainly there must be something more to them
than merely the supplying of power. And, in fact,
there is everything more to them. They can be
used to obtain any possible variety of force in
playing and every possible kind of touch or ac-
centuation. The potentialities are immense, the
means absurdly simple. The whole principle can
be expressed in the most elementary form; if you
want to play loudly, pedal energetically; if you
want to play softly, pedal gently. And there you
are. Yet within these childishly simple directions
there rest a multitude of variations. One might
talk for hours about the possibilities of pedal
technic, simple as these are. But perhaps no bet-
ter explanation of what this technic is can be
found than in the following words, quoted from an
author who knows what he is talking about:
A Quotation.
"One of the first sins usually committed by the
novice at the player-piano," says our author, "is
in this matter of pedaling * * * everybody at
first works them far too energetically. * * *
When begining to use the player-piano let the feet
be placed firmly upon the pedals, except when a
special accent is recfuired. In the latter case the
extra pressure required can be obtained by press-
ing with the ball or toes of the foot. Let the
pedaling be slow and gentle, but never imagine that
it is necessary to have the reservoir bellows always
entirely exhausted. If you want a sudden in-
crease of force, press a little harder; when you
wish a diminution, pedal more gently. * * *
The foot pedals again can be used most advantage-
ously in connection with the accent lever. When
this lever (or button—Ed.) is used, a slight extra
pressure on the foot pedals at the moment when
the former is thrown open will induce a most
agreeable accenting. In fact, this extra pressure
will soon become automatic. * * * The mas-
tery of 'judicious pedaling,' then, * * * is com-
prised in careful observance of the following three
rules: (1) Do not pedal too hard; (2) let the
variation in pedaling force be governed entirely by
the requirements of the interpretation; (3) use the
extra pedal pressure always for an accent in com-
bination with the accenting lever (or button—
Ed.)."
MUSIC TRADE! REVIEW
notes are struck at the same time. Some of the
present arrangements have series of chords of 12
J. R. Reed Music Co., Austin, Tex., Engages or 13 notes the full length of the keyboard, and a
Capable Young Lady to Give One Month's great many trills that no performer would put in,
Free Lessons in Player Instruction to Every and when these rolls are played they sound un-
Purchaser—To Extend Service to All Player natural—they are bound to sound that way, and a
Owners an Advanced Step in Player Selling ' great many people are prejudiced against the
player-piano for that reason.
Worthy of Comment.
''Now, what is the secret of a satisfactory roll?
Simply this: the ordinary sheet music is too simple,
A distinct innovation and a decided advance in
the successful marketing of player-pianos has re- so make an elaborate arrangement, leaving out all
cently been introduced by the J. R. Reed Music trills except those that a hand player would put in,
Co., Austin, Tex., which has retained the services and never have more notes struck simultaneously
of Miss Louise Pfaefflin, an accomplished player- than a hand performer could play and stretch.
Such an arrangement could be made exceedingly
pianist, to instruct purchasers of that instrument
a« to its proper use. It is planned to give free elaborate, running all over the keyboard, and at
individual instruction for one month to all pur- the same time will sound really brilliant, just like
chasers of player-pianos from the J. R. Reed Music the playing of an expert. If necessary the chords
Co., and arrangements will be made to give similar could sound together, as, for instance, instead of
instruction to all other owners of player-pianos one chord of 12 notes (as in the present music
rolls) two six-note chords might be arranged, the
upon application.
The latest move of the Dallas house is fully notes of the first chord being cut long enough so
in keeping with suggestions that have been made they will be sounding when the second chord comes
in that connection by the editor of the Player in. However, the crux of the matter is 'Don't
have more nol'es struck at the same time than a
Section of the Review, and it is to be believed
that other retailers of player-pianos will see the hand performer could play,' no matter how elabo-
rate the arrangement. Then the peculiar mechani-
wisdom of the plan.
When properly instructed in the use of the cal sound of the present rolls will disappear, in a
player-piano the owner feels confidence in himself, great measure."
INSTRUCTION FOR PLAYER OWNERS.
and if the instrument is a fairly good one the per-
sonal enjoyment and satisfaction he may secure
from his purchase is practically unlimited.
A proper understanding of the operation of the
player gained through a special course of instruc-
tion as that planned by the Texas concern also
enables the player-piano to be advertised among
the friends of the owner as it should be—an in-
strument of real possibilities and not a mere auto-
matic music maker, and thereby have a direct and
desirable influence upon future sales. The J. R.
Reed Music Co. deserves all credit for blazing a
new road to increased player-piano sales.
THE ARRANGING OF MUSIC ROLLS.
An Interesting Letter from a New York Cor-
respondent Regarding the Cutting of Music
Rolls in Which a Number of Suggestions Are
Offered for the Benefit of Manufacturers.
The following interesting and suggestive letter is
from the pen of B. R. White, of 36 West 93d
street, New York. It relates to the arrangement
of music on rolls, which was touched on in the
article "The Music Roll as a Selling Proposition"
in the Player Section for January. The sugges-
tions made by the writer are highly original and
valuable and are commended to the notice of music
roll uumufacturers. Mr. White says:
''Dear Sir—I have read the article about unsatis-
factory music rolls in your last issue with much
interest. The classical music, as a rule, is cut
fairly satisfactorily, but the popular music is not.
So far our author. Space prevents further re-
Some of the best-liked acts in vaudeville at pres-
marks at this time, but we shall take up this mat-
ent are the 'pianologues.' The performer plays
ter in more detail next month.
popular music in a very elaborate way (take Mel-
INCORPORATE TO MAKE PLAYERS.
ville Ellis, for instance), and the people that like
these pianologues are, as a rule, the class that buys
The Petite Player Piano Co. has been incor-
player-pianos, and they want rolls of popular music
porated under the laws of Delaware, with capital
that will sound as brilliant as the playing of one
stock of $250,000, and for the purpose of manu-
of
these performers. But the present rolls do not
facturing musical instruments and players of all
sound
that way. In spite of the claims of the
kinds. The incorporators are: Edward J. Thelin,
manufacturers, their rolls are not brilliant—they
Maynard, 111.; R. J. Bennett, Rock Island, 111., and
are simply noisy and mechanical, because too many
Charles L. Barnes, of Chicago.
RETURNSJ^ EUROPE.
A. J. Mason, Vice-President and General Man-
ager of the Orchestrelle Co., London, Eng.,
Returns After a Visit to This Country.
A. J. Mason, vice-president and general man-
ager of the Orchestrelle Co., London, England,
who has been in this country for nearly a month,
returned to his home and business duties in Lon-
don Wednesday, sailing via the White Star Line
steamship "Olympic." During his stay in America,
Mr. Mason renewed many old friendships among
the piano men throughout the East. With the ex-
ception of a brief visit to relatives in Toronto,
Canada, the majority of his time was spent among
the Aeolian Co.'s branch stores and factories, and
at Aeolian Hall. Mr. Mason said to The Review,
just before leaving: "My trip has been more than
pleasant in every respect, and regret that I cannot
remain here a few weeks longer. I admire the
hustle of American business methods and shall
look forward to the occasion of my next visit."
MAKE CHEERY BUSINESS REPORT.
The Melville Clark Piano Co., 305 Fifth ave-
nue, according to Alfred R. Spoerl, assistant to
Eastern Manager E. J. Delfraisse, is enjoying a
business which is unprecedented for this season
of the year. Sales of the Solo Apollo are climb-
ing to heights which even the holiday trade failed
to reach, with the other Melville Clark products a
close second. Manager E. J. Delfraisse returned
Saturday'from several days among the trade at
Buffalo and vicinity. He reports retail conditions
in that section as excellent and that piano men
generally, in business up-State, are looking for-
ward to a banner year.
TO SPECIALIZE IN MUSIC ROLLS.
The A. Hospe Co., Omaha, Neb., has decided
to make its music roll department a special fea-
ture of its business, and has placed Arthur
Engleman, of Chicago, in charge of that depart-
ment.
The Master Player-Piano
is now equipped with an
AUTOMATIC TRACKING DEVICE
Which guarantees absolutely correct tracking of even the most imperfect music rolls
W I N T E R & CO., 220 Southern Boulevard, New York City
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).