Music Trade Review
Issue: 1914 Vol. 58 N. 17 - Page 7
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE POINT OF VIEW-(Continued from page 5.)
in any proper manner towards the successful carry-
ing on of the work. I believe in technical educa-
tion. I should like to see every tuner in the land
a good player man. But I am convinced that
The idea itself is admirable, provided it be will not do. Given a man broad minded enough
altogether too much so-called education is inade-
rightly carried out. It seems to me that virtually
to give all players a fair show, well enough trained quate, careless and superficial. Too many of our
the whole prospective success or failure of the to know both theory and practice, a good enough
so-called "experts" are nothing of the sort. If,
affair will rest upon the shoulders of the man who natural teacher to make his knowledge intelligible however, there were something like an adequate
is chosen for instructor. An instructor who is a to his students and well enough paid to be able to understanding of player principles—nay, even of
mere theorist is useless. But, when I speak of
devote enough of his time to the work, and we the simple principles of physics, among the many
theory, I mean the half-baked theory which is the shall have a big success. There is no doubt what- ingenious mechanics who are now bothering their
bane of the player business and which distinguishes ever that the tuners and the mechanics will want heads about the player, we should have fewer dis-
so many so-called inventors. A man gets hold of
the instruction. But there may be some difficulty appointed men and less wasted money.
about giving them what they ought to have.
I welcome the proposed technical school and
For our part, as I said before, we approve the only want to see it rightly conducted, so that this
principle involved and are ready to co-operate really great opportunity may not be thrown away.
"Idea Admirable, if Rightly Carried Out," SaysW. N. Van Matre, President
of the Schumann Piano Co., Rockford, 111., and Chicago.
Plans for Course Highly Favored by Fayette S. Cable, President of the
Cable-Nelson Piano Co., Chicago
W. N. Van Matre.
part of an idea, thinks it is the only thing and
cannot see anything else. He stumbles over some
simple law of physics, seizes it, and proclaims that
he has made a revolutionary discovery. Such a
man cannot be the instructor of the proposed
school.
In my opinion the big need is for a course of
instruction in which the principles of player design
shall be rightly educated by a man able to impart
his own knowledge rightly, and then able also to
show the practical application of what he teaches.
A one-idea man or an inadequately trained man
In answer to your inquiry, I will say that I
am heartily in favor of the practical course in
player-piano construction and technique proposed
for incorporation in our city schools next fall.
The advantages of such a course are, more
or less, obvious. From the standpoint of the
students, who will avail themselves of the op-
portunity, it offers the chance of systematic and
theoretical, as well as practical, study of an art
which is now usually acquired haphazard, and
without any real understanding of the principles
involved. The mere fact of having accessibility
for comparative study of all the leading types of
player mechanism would, in itself, give an edu-
cational opportunity which the average repair man
could hardly ob!ain otherwise.
From the standpoint of the trade, too, such
an educational department ought to result in a
great advantage. The most annoying aspect- of
the player trade seems to be the absolute help-
lessness, not only of owners, but of dealers and
repair men too, in the face of the simplest
mechanical difficulties, such as a loose screw or a
chain off a sprocket wheel or the need of lubrica-
tion. This condition not only causes the manu-
facturer great expense, but also interferes mate-
rially with the legitimate growth of the business.
Every mechanic who is well grounded in the prin-
ciples of the player construction, operation and
maintenance tends to lessen the force of this con-
dition and by so much to promote the interests
of the trade generally.
With regard to the proper conduct of such a
THE SAME "KICK" ALL THE TIME
"SILENT"
PLAYER NOTES
This familiar and unpleasant scene—
complaints of the constant recurrence of
"Dead" or Indistinct player notes—is the
one thing the player manufacturer, dealer
and tuner dislikes to think of, yet it is so
frequent it is the player dealer's
"bugaboo."
MR. PLAYER MAN!—MAKE
HER A BOOSTER—
"Kure Silent Notes"—and 30 seconds
will make her silent and the player
"speak."
Goodcustomer (impatiently)—"I am
iroughly disgusted with our player.
Haven't you some other one that will play
accurately? Ours won't play even the sim-
plest pieces without skipping notes."
The only Tracker Pump that gives a perfect air-tight connection against the
face of the tracker bar. it sucks the dirt out—does not blow it in. Can be
used by any player, saves a lot of the repairman's time and lungs
and will self itself to the player owner at a good profit.
Large size, mahogany fin-
Smaller model, finished
ish, nickel-plated mouth- in black enamel
piece and metal binding
$2.50
$1.00
Sent prepaid anywhere on receipt of oiieck, stamps or
money order.
Send $Z and we will send one of each
kind to introduce—
335 Plymouth Ct. S M I T H
& KIDD
Chicago, Illinois
department, that is, of course, a matter of edu-
cational detail, which I am hardly prepared to
discuss. It seems to me, however, in a general
way, that the success of the plan will depend
largely upon a proper advertisement of the op-
Fayette S. Cable.
portunity among the local trade, so that as many
as possible may be induced to take advantage of
it. Also 1 should say care would be necessary to
combine in the work just the right proportion of
theory and practice.
Technical Education Abroad.
A special note by the editor of the Player Sec-
tion : "The London County Council, acting
through its education committee, has arranged with
the Pianoforte Manufacturers' Association to
start a technical school for piano makers in one
,of the new technical school buildings now under
construction in London. Included in the courses
will be instruction in pneumatics. These schools
are for apprentices, but a movement is also on
foot in London and throughout Great Britain to
induce the educational authority to undertake in-
struction for tuners and journeymen in the same
subjects.
At the present moment, the situation ap-
pears to be somewhat in a static condition, but
it is more than probable that the suggested school
will be carried through under the joint auspices
of the Pianoforte Manufacturers' Association and
the education authority. A great deal of agitation
is being stirred up in England on the subject, and
something definite will certainly follow. It is
notable and rather amusing that the newly formed
Pianoforte Tuners' Association is also agitating
the commencement of technical instruction for its
members, and there is some question among the
knights of the tuning-hammer whether they prefer
to study the player through their own associa-
tion or in the manner indicated above;, i.e., under
the direction of the County Council.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE POINT OF VIEW-(Continued from page 5.)
in any proper manner towards the successful carry-
ing on of the work. I believe in technical educa-
tion. I should like to see every tuner in the land
a good player man. But I am convinced that
The idea itself is admirable, provided it be will not do. Given a man broad minded enough
altogether too much so-called education is inade-
rightly carried out. It seems to me that virtually
to give all players a fair show, well enough trained quate, careless and superficial. Too many of our
the whole prospective success or failure of the to know both theory and practice, a good enough
so-called "experts" are nothing of the sort. If,
affair will rest upon the shoulders of the man who natural teacher to make his knowledge intelligible however, there were something like an adequate
is chosen for instructor. An instructor who is a to his students and well enough paid to be able to understanding of player principles—nay, even of
mere theorist is useless. But, when I speak of
devote enough of his time to the work, and we the simple principles of physics, among the many
theory, I mean the half-baked theory which is the shall have a big success. There is no doubt what- ingenious mechanics who are now bothering their
bane of the player business and which distinguishes ever that the tuners and the mechanics will want heads about the player, we should have fewer dis-
so many so-called inventors. A man gets hold of
the instruction. But there may be some difficulty appointed men and less wasted money.
about giving them what they ought to have.
I welcome the proposed technical school and
For our part, as I said before, we approve the only want to see it rightly conducted, so that this
principle involved and are ready to co-operate really great opportunity may not be thrown away.
"Idea Admirable, if Rightly Carried Out," SaysW. N. Van Matre, President
of the Schumann Piano Co., Rockford, 111., and Chicago.
Plans for Course Highly Favored by Fayette S. Cable, President of the
Cable-Nelson Piano Co., Chicago
W. N. Van Matre.
part of an idea, thinks it is the only thing and
cannot see anything else. He stumbles over some
simple law of physics, seizes it, and proclaims that
he has made a revolutionary discovery. Such a
man cannot be the instructor of the proposed
school.
In my opinion the big need is for a course of
instruction in which the principles of player design
shall be rightly educated by a man able to impart
his own knowledge rightly, and then able also to
show the practical application of what he teaches.
A one-idea man or an inadequately trained man
In answer to your inquiry, I will say that I
am heartily in favor of the practical course in
player-piano construction and technique proposed
for incorporation in our city schools next fall.
The advantages of such a course are, more
or less, obvious. From the standpoint of the
students, who will avail themselves of the op-
portunity, it offers the chance of systematic and
theoretical, as well as practical, study of an art
which is now usually acquired haphazard, and
without any real understanding of the principles
involved. The mere fact of having accessibility
for comparative study of all the leading types of
player mechanism would, in itself, give an edu-
cational opportunity which the average repair man
could hardly ob!ain otherwise.
From the standpoint of the trade, too, such
an educational department ought to result in a
great advantage. The most annoying aspect- of
the player trade seems to be the absolute help-
lessness, not only of owners, but of dealers and
repair men too, in the face of the simplest
mechanical difficulties, such as a loose screw or a
chain off a sprocket wheel or the need of lubrica-
tion. This condition not only causes the manu-
facturer great expense, but also interferes mate-
rially with the legitimate growth of the business.
Every mechanic who is well grounded in the prin-
ciples of the player construction, operation and
maintenance tends to lessen the force of this con-
dition and by so much to promote the interests
of the trade generally.
With regard to the proper conduct of such a
THE SAME "KICK" ALL THE TIME
"SILENT"
PLAYER NOTES
This familiar and unpleasant scene—
complaints of the constant recurrence of
"Dead" or Indistinct player notes—is the
one thing the player manufacturer, dealer
and tuner dislikes to think of, yet it is so
frequent it is the player dealer's
"bugaboo."
MR. PLAYER MAN!—MAKE
HER A BOOSTER—
"Kure Silent Notes"—and 30 seconds
will make her silent and the player
"speak."
Goodcustomer (impatiently)—"I am
iroughly disgusted with our player.
Haven't you some other one that will play
accurately? Ours won't play even the sim-
plest pieces without skipping notes."
The only Tracker Pump that gives a perfect air-tight connection against the
face of the tracker bar. it sucks the dirt out—does not blow it in. Can be
used by any player, saves a lot of the repairman's time and lungs
and will self itself to the player owner at a good profit.
Large size, mahogany fin-
Smaller model, finished
ish, nickel-plated mouth- in black enamel
piece and metal binding
$2.50
$1.00
Sent prepaid anywhere on receipt of oiieck, stamps or
money order.
Send $Z and we will send one of each
kind to introduce—
335 Plymouth Ct. S M I T H
& KIDD
Chicago, Illinois
department, that is, of course, a matter of edu-
cational detail, which I am hardly prepared to
discuss. It seems to me, however, in a general
way, that the success of the plan will depend
largely upon a proper advertisement of the op-
Fayette S. Cable.
portunity among the local trade, so that as many
as possible may be induced to take advantage of
it. Also 1 should say care would be necessary to
combine in the work just the right proportion of
theory and practice.
Technical Education Abroad.
A special note by the editor of the Player Sec-
tion : "The London County Council, acting
through its education committee, has arranged with
the Pianoforte Manufacturers' Association to
start a technical school for piano makers in one
,of the new technical school buildings now under
construction in London. Included in the courses
will be instruction in pneumatics. These schools
are for apprentices, but a movement is also on
foot in London and throughout Great Britain to
induce the educational authority to undertake in-
struction for tuners and journeymen in the same
subjects.
At the present moment, the situation ap-
pears to be somewhat in a static condition, but
it is more than probable that the suggested school
will be carried through under the joint auspices
of the Pianoforte Manufacturers' Association and
the education authority. A great deal of agitation
is being stirred up in England on the subject, and
something definite will certainly follow. It is
notable and rather amusing that the newly formed
Pianoforte Tuners' Association is also agitating
the commencement of technical instruction for its
members, and there is some question among the
knights of the tuning-hammer whether they prefer
to study the player through their own associa-
tion or in the manner indicated above;, i.e., under
the direction of the County Council.
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