Music Trade Review
Issue: 1913 Vol. 56 N. 4 - Page 9
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE: MUSIC TRADE: REVIEW
"understand" music? Let us grant that music of
the formal and artificial kind is not always inter-
esting. But, is it not absurd that people should
consider the wonderful emotional painting of Wag-
ner to be unintelligible? The fact is that if you
can ever get an uninitiated one to go and listen to
a Wagnerian drama, with attentive ear and open
mind, that barbarian will probably say afterward
that he did not "understand" the music, but that it
reached him in some way. He will feel its appro-
priateness, its logic, its passion, but he will be
afraid to like it for fear that he does not "under-
stand" it. The whole question of what musical
feeling is will be found in this one point of view.
ural and so simple, nothing so pleasing and so
good, as to avail oneself of the inherent musical
feeling that nearly all of us possess, did we but
know- it. Perhaps some day we shall all wake up
to the truth of these assertions.
HEAD FOR MUSICROLL SPOOLS
In Connection with Perforated Music Rolls the
Subject of a Patent Recently Granted to
Philip L. Sylvester, of Scranton, Pa.—What
the Inventor Proposes to Accomplish.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C , Jan. 18, 1913.
Philip L. Sylvester, Scranton, Pa., is the inventor
of a head for music roll spools, for which he was
The plain truth is that most of us are actually
recently granted patent No. 1,049,281, and which
afraid to think of music as a natural sort of thing.
he has assigned to the Scranton Button Co., same
We cannot get out of our heads the idea that it is
place.
wasteful, useless and effeminate to care for music.
Spools for perforated paper music rolls are usu-
We have a further idea, fostered by musicians and
ally made with paper or wooden cores, and wooden
critics in their frequently absurd utterances, that
heads, provision being made for permitting one or
to "understand" music is a very difficult accom-
both of the heads to move lengthwise of the spool
plishment, possible only to the few and by no
means as necessary as troublesome. Of course, if to allow for expansion of the paper roll in moist
atmospheres. The adjustable wooden heads, fitting
by the word "understand" we mean appreciation of
the rot that is written and talked about music by into the cores, being hygroscopic, sometimes swell
people who ought to know better, then the popular in damp weather and bind within the cores, pre-
idea is right. But the fact is. that true musical venting the adjustment of the heads to suit the
feeling may exist—and frequently does exist—in expansion of the paper in the music roll.
One purpose of this invention is to provide an
the absence of any formal musical training. When
we say this we do not mean to suggest that musi- adjustable music spool head of molded composi-
cal feeling entirely untrained is superior to that tion which is non-hygroscopic and which, there-
which is informed and illuminated by knowledge, fore, will not expand and bind within the core
but we rather mean to suggest that technical train- of the spool when the atmosphere is moist, and an-
other purpose is to provide, in a molded head of
ing is not a requisite to musical appreciation.
this character, means whereby the head can be
readily and securely attached to the tube which
Musicians, altogether too often, confuse techni-
forms the core of the spool and whereby the head
cal knowledge of their art with its reflex action
is adjustable to the desired extent lengthwise of
upon the hearer. Because the musician thinks of
the spool.
music chiefly in terms of technic, he is apt to think
that any other way of considering it is wrong.
DEMAND FORPLAYERS GROWS.
Hence, seeing that he spends his time at an occu-
H. Paul Mehlin, of Paul G. Mehlin & Sons,
pation which the majority of people never worry
Treats of the Amazing Demand for These
about at all, which is surrounded with an obscure
Instruments Which Is Keeping the Factory
and difficult technic, and common talk about which
at West New York Exceedingly Busy.
io burdened with a ridiculous and altogether insin-
cere technical jargon, the musician is too apt to
"Our player business keeps up remarkably,"
assume an air of mysticism and stand apart from states H. Paul Mehlin, of Paul G. Mehlin & Sons,
the common herd as one whose eyes are turned 27 Union Square, New York. "We are receiving a
ever above the mire of earth and whose feet tread surprising number of orders for our players for
only the higher regions of thought and feeling. No this time of the year, and our factory is kept busy
doubt, the musician has reason for feeling this turning out stock to fill requirements. We have
way. The people whom he meets—apart from
had quite a number of visitors this week, who
dther musicians—are divided into two 'classes:
called at our warerooms and at our factory in
those who frankly despise any music but ragtime
West New York, N. J. It was very gratifying to
and those who are not so frank, but hypocritically
hear the unanimous commendation that these mem-
pretend—event to the extent O'f deceiving them-
bers of the trade expressed at the completeness
selves—to be in the grip of a musical passion
and modern equipment of our new plant. We are
which is actually no more or less than the result
of the American love for fake culture. The sec- at present working on several new types and de-
ond class are really worse than the first. Speci- signs of instruments which will embody certain
mens and representatives of this class are to be patented improvements never before introduced.
met with at every symphony concert, at the opera These will be on entirely new lines, and will be
and at all the recitals. Anyone who has read the ready for marketing in a short time."
musical "criticism" in the small town newspaper
(generally emanating from the secretary of the PATENTS AaENTUATING DEVICE. -
woman's club) will know just what sort of person The Steger & Sons Piano Mfg. Co., of Chicago,
Becomes the Owner, Through Assignment, of
is meant. Both of these classes tend to keep the
a Patent Covering a Practical Accentuating
musician feeling that he is a solitary mystic, while
Device for Pneumatic Pianos.
doing much harm in every way to the true cultiva-
tion of a musical spirit in America.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, Jan. 20, 1913.
Musical feeling depends upon no more than the
Steger & Sons Piano Mfg. Co., Chicago, 111.,
necessary sensitiveness to the particular form of
is the owner through assignment of a pneumatic
expression which music connotes. This sensitive- action, which is the invention of William G. Betz,
ness, to a greater or less degree, exists in almost Chicago Heights, II., patent No. 1,048,486.
every person. In fact, no one is normal who does
The object of this invention is to provide a
not, more or less, feel himself influenced by the practical accentuating device for pneumatic pianos.
power of music. To pretend that anything so
The chief feature consists in providing the reg-
natural is not to be had at will is to pretend non- ular hammer rest rail of the piano action with
sense. And we may blame the musicians as much individual air chambers which are provided with
as the general public for the prevalence of the power pneumatics secured to the regular hammer
false idea. When the public in general begins to rest rail and operated through a valve in connec-
use its brains more and its appetites less, when tion with the main air chamber of the suction
it is less drunken with material success and less bellows. Said power pneumatics through a bracket
eager to bend the suppliant knee to Mammon, arm and a secondary hammer rest rail thereon
there will be some chance of a better recognition push the piano hammer closer to the piano string
of and love for music. But the fact should never so as to shorten the stroke of. the hammer and
• be concealed that, in very truth, nothing is so nat- produce a softer tonal effect.
Good Luck
for 1913
"Luck" is seldom the
matter of chance that
many people think.
If you wish to make
1913 a lucky year,
intelligence and good
sense exerted in the
selection of the right
line of orchestrions and
electric coin - operated
pianos will go far to
secure t h e desired
result.
Write today for cata-
logue containing color
illustrations of the en-
tire line of art styles of
Seeburg electric coin-
controlled pianos and
the Seeburg Orches-
trions.
We will also give you
some facts regarding
the results secured by
dealers handling the
Seeburg line which will
open u p a profit-
making vista that will
surprise you.
Just a postal will open
the doors of luck for
you. Send it today.
J. P. Seeburg Piano Co.
Makers of
Seeburg Electric Coin-Operated Pianos
and Seeburg Orchestrions
Art Style Originators
OFFICES:
902-904 Republic Building
State and Adams Streets
FACTORY:
415-421 S. Sangamon Street
CHICAGO
THE: MUSIC TRADE: REVIEW
"understand" music? Let us grant that music of
the formal and artificial kind is not always inter-
esting. But, is it not absurd that people should
consider the wonderful emotional painting of Wag-
ner to be unintelligible? The fact is that if you
can ever get an uninitiated one to go and listen to
a Wagnerian drama, with attentive ear and open
mind, that barbarian will probably say afterward
that he did not "understand" the music, but that it
reached him in some way. He will feel its appro-
priateness, its logic, its passion, but he will be
afraid to like it for fear that he does not "under-
stand" it. The whole question of what musical
feeling is will be found in this one point of view.
ural and so simple, nothing so pleasing and so
good, as to avail oneself of the inherent musical
feeling that nearly all of us possess, did we but
know- it. Perhaps some day we shall all wake up
to the truth of these assertions.
HEAD FOR MUSICROLL SPOOLS
In Connection with Perforated Music Rolls the
Subject of a Patent Recently Granted to
Philip L. Sylvester, of Scranton, Pa.—What
the Inventor Proposes to Accomplish.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C , Jan. 18, 1913.
Philip L. Sylvester, Scranton, Pa., is the inventor
of a head for music roll spools, for which he was
The plain truth is that most of us are actually
recently granted patent No. 1,049,281, and which
afraid to think of music as a natural sort of thing.
he has assigned to the Scranton Button Co., same
We cannot get out of our heads the idea that it is
place.
wasteful, useless and effeminate to care for music.
Spools for perforated paper music rolls are usu-
We have a further idea, fostered by musicians and
ally made with paper or wooden cores, and wooden
critics in their frequently absurd utterances, that
heads, provision being made for permitting one or
to "understand" music is a very difficult accom-
both of the heads to move lengthwise of the spool
plishment, possible only to the few and by no
means as necessary as troublesome. Of course, if to allow for expansion of the paper roll in moist
atmospheres. The adjustable wooden heads, fitting
by the word "understand" we mean appreciation of
the rot that is written and talked about music by into the cores, being hygroscopic, sometimes swell
people who ought to know better, then the popular in damp weather and bind within the cores, pre-
idea is right. But the fact is. that true musical venting the adjustment of the heads to suit the
feeling may exist—and frequently does exist—in expansion of the paper in the music roll.
One purpose of this invention is to provide an
the absence of any formal musical training. When
we say this we do not mean to suggest that musi- adjustable music spool head of molded composi-
cal feeling entirely untrained is superior to that tion which is non-hygroscopic and which, there-
which is informed and illuminated by knowledge, fore, will not expand and bind within the core
but we rather mean to suggest that technical train- of the spool when the atmosphere is moist, and an-
other purpose is to provide, in a molded head of
ing is not a requisite to musical appreciation.
this character, means whereby the head can be
readily and securely attached to the tube which
Musicians, altogether too often, confuse techni-
forms the core of the spool and whereby the head
cal knowledge of their art with its reflex action
is adjustable to the desired extent lengthwise of
upon the hearer. Because the musician thinks of
the spool.
music chiefly in terms of technic, he is apt to think
that any other way of considering it is wrong.
DEMAND FORPLAYERS GROWS.
Hence, seeing that he spends his time at an occu-
H. Paul Mehlin, of Paul G. Mehlin & Sons,
pation which the majority of people never worry
Treats of the Amazing Demand for These
about at all, which is surrounded with an obscure
Instruments Which Is Keeping the Factory
and difficult technic, and common talk about which
at West New York Exceedingly Busy.
io burdened with a ridiculous and altogether insin-
cere technical jargon, the musician is too apt to
"Our player business keeps up remarkably,"
assume an air of mysticism and stand apart from states H. Paul Mehlin, of Paul G. Mehlin & Sons,
the common herd as one whose eyes are turned 27 Union Square, New York. "We are receiving a
ever above the mire of earth and whose feet tread surprising number of orders for our players for
only the higher regions of thought and feeling. No this time of the year, and our factory is kept busy
doubt, the musician has reason for feeling this turning out stock to fill requirements. We have
way. The people whom he meets—apart from
had quite a number of visitors this week, who
dther musicians—are divided into two 'classes:
called at our warerooms and at our factory in
those who frankly despise any music but ragtime
West New York, N. J. It was very gratifying to
and those who are not so frank, but hypocritically
hear the unanimous commendation that these mem-
pretend—event to the extent O'f deceiving them-
bers of the trade expressed at the completeness
selves—to be in the grip of a musical passion
and modern equipment of our new plant. We are
which is actually no more or less than the result
of the American love for fake culture. The sec- at present working on several new types and de-
ond class are really worse than the first. Speci- signs of instruments which will embody certain
mens and representatives of this class are to be patented improvements never before introduced.
met with at every symphony concert, at the opera These will be on entirely new lines, and will be
and at all the recitals. Anyone who has read the ready for marketing in a short time."
musical "criticism" in the small town newspaper
(generally emanating from the secretary of the PATENTS AaENTUATING DEVICE. -
woman's club) will know just what sort of person The Steger & Sons Piano Mfg. Co., of Chicago,
Becomes the Owner, Through Assignment, of
is meant. Both of these classes tend to keep the
a Patent Covering a Practical Accentuating
musician feeling that he is a solitary mystic, while
Device for Pneumatic Pianos.
doing much harm in every way to the true cultiva-
tion of a musical spirit in America.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, Jan. 20, 1913.
Musical feeling depends upon no more than the
Steger & Sons Piano Mfg. Co., Chicago, 111.,
necessary sensitiveness to the particular form of
is the owner through assignment of a pneumatic
expression which music connotes. This sensitive- action, which is the invention of William G. Betz,
ness, to a greater or less degree, exists in almost Chicago Heights, II., patent No. 1,048,486.
every person. In fact, no one is normal who does
The object of this invention is to provide a
not, more or less, feel himself influenced by the practical accentuating device for pneumatic pianos.
power of music. To pretend that anything so
The chief feature consists in providing the reg-
natural is not to be had at will is to pretend non- ular hammer rest rail of the piano action with
sense. And we may blame the musicians as much individual air chambers which are provided with
as the general public for the prevalence of the power pneumatics secured to the regular hammer
false idea. When the public in general begins to rest rail and operated through a valve in connec-
use its brains more and its appetites less, when tion with the main air chamber of the suction
it is less drunken with material success and less bellows. Said power pneumatics through a bracket
eager to bend the suppliant knee to Mammon, arm and a secondary hammer rest rail thereon
there will be some chance of a better recognition push the piano hammer closer to the piano string
of and love for music. But the fact should never so as to shorten the stroke of. the hammer and
• be concealed that, in very truth, nothing is so nat- produce a softer tonal effect.
Good Luck
for 1913
"Luck" is seldom the
matter of chance that
many people think.
If you wish to make
1913 a lucky year,
intelligence and good
sense exerted in the
selection of the right
line of orchestrions and
electric coin - operated
pianos will go far to
secure t h e desired
result.
Write today for cata-
logue containing color
illustrations of the en-
tire line of art styles of
Seeburg electric coin-
controlled pianos and
the Seeburg Orches-
trions.
We will also give you
some facts regarding
the results secured by
dealers handling the
Seeburg line which will
open u p a profit-
making vista that will
surprise you.
Just a postal will open
the doors of luck for
you. Send it today.
J. P. Seeburg Piano Co.
Makers of
Seeburg Electric Coin-Operated Pianos
and Seeburg Orchestrions
Art Style Originators
OFFICES:
902-904 Republic Building
State and Adams Streets
FACTORY:
415-421 S. Sangamon Street
CHICAGO
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