Music Trade Review
Issue: 1914 Vol. 59 N. 2 - Page 5
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
WHEN A MUSICAL EDUCATION SHOULD BEGIN.
(Continued from page 3.)
was forbidden by the theorists, he answered: "But I allow them." He defied the long-eared critics
of his day, but he never offended or perplexed the ears of the simple and unprejudiced music-
loving world.
The percentage of our people who really appreciate good music perhaps is small, but where
is the education to begin? Surely not with the middle-aged or old, but with the young. And when
is the time to begin this education? In childhood. And where is there anyone better fitted, from
whom this energetic uplift should come to aid the musical education of the young, than the
men whose material interests lie in the music trade industry?
Taken from any viewpoint, musical education with the young should be encouraged in every
possible way.
The piano merchants of this country possess in themselves a tre-
mendous force, if properly directed, which would be instrumental in
aiding the music culture of the nation, and through it a higher and
more appreciative civilization.
Extending the Market for Player-Pianos.
T
H E value of co-operation between manufacturer and dealer
has never been better illustrated in any industry than in the
success achieved by the dealers in talking machines, who, with the
aid of manufacturers, have been able to carry on a most intelligent
and successful campaign in the localities where they reside, in dis-
posing of machines and records to lovers of the modern dances—a
craze which, by the way, seems to be growing in intensity.
This brings to mind the question whether the manufacturers of
music rolls and the manufacturers of player-pianos could not,
through closer co-operation with their dealers, succeed in building
up a larger volume of trade along the same lines. For the player-
piano, like the talking machine, makes a special appeal to the terpsi-
chorean community.
With some exceptions, dealers do not take the initiative in
matters of this kind, and it therefore needs the leadership of the
manufacturers in preparing stimulating literature which, through
local circulation, may interest the patrons of the dance in the latest
rolls as well as in player-pianos handled by their representatives.
Something has been done by music roll manufacturers in get-
ting out special lists of dance music, but something more than this
could be done. The very effective campaign inaugurated so suc-
cessfully by the talking machine manufacturers is well worth
emulation in this connection. At a time of the year when trade
ordinarily is stagnant a good business could be developed, and a
new interest aroused in the player-piano or music rolls handled by
dealers if an effort is made and the manufacturers do their part.
To prepare and develop the campaign should not be a tre-
mendous task, for the way has been marked out by the talking
machine manufacturers. Their methods of procedure, as well as
the success they have achieved, are well worthy of investigation and
consideration. It is always well for the manufacturer to "keep his
ear to the ground," metaphorically speaking, so that the dealer is
aided in securing every business advantage.
One of the best things done in the exploitation of the player-piano
as an essential to the proper enjoyment of the dance has been the
window displays recently made by a number of piano dealers. This
very excellent plan of attracting public attention to the player-piano
and music rolls could be pursued with profit by others. Those deal-
ers who have not the window space for displays of dancing to the
player-piano could send out invitations for special dances in the
warerooms on certain days, in this way attracting many people
who are not aware of the wonderful development of the player-
piano, and who would naturally become interested not only in the
instrument but in the hand-played music rolls, which are now
winning such favorable notice from those who use them.
There is another field in which the talking machine dealer has
scored a great success, which is well worthy the attention of piano
dealers who are featuring players—that is in the schoolroom.
In many schools nowadays player-pianos are being utilized by
teachers in the gymnasium, not Only for exercises, but also for danc-
ing. In some cases a repertoire of school songs and special musical
numbers have been specially cut or selected whereby concerts can
be given by means of the player-pianos without the aid of a pro-
fessional musician. The player-piano can be utilized in a variety
of ways in the schoolroom, particularly where teachers have no
special talent in a musical way.
As a matter of fact, teachers have found the talking machine
quite an aid, and it seems to us rather strange that the dealer han-
dling players should not give greater attention to the schools as sale
and publicity avenues for player-pianos and music rolls.
Proof of the importance of the player-piano in the school was
set forth in The Review recently, when illustrations were shown
of the good use to which the Autopiano had been placed in Public
School No. 62, which is located in Hester street, New York—right
in the heart of the crowded foreign section.
In this school it has been used by the pupils with the greatest
success, not only for folk dancing, but for gymnasium work. It is
Operated by one of the pupils, and both teachers and pupils express
the greatest delight over its remarkable possibilities.
There is no question but that the player-piano is going to be in
demand in every school in the United States. Whether it be in the
"little red school house" on the country road, or in the more palatial
buildings in the towns or cities, it will afford a delight and pleasure
that will appeal to teachers and pupils alike.
"Not only does the failure of the manufacturer cause loss to
the dealer when the piano is taken off the market, but, also, it some-
times happens, the name rights are sold to another concern which
uses the name, but does not maintain the quality of the product.
In such a case the dealer suffers more than if the name drops en-
tirely out of the trade for a couple of the inferior instruments can
get into his territory and ruin a reputation for honest values that
it has taken years to build.
"There is much said and written about watching the credits
of dealers, of the loyalty on the part of the dealer to the manufac-
turer and similar matters in which the manufacturer figures to lp.se,
but the new turn of affairs indicates that the dealer with a reputa-
tion and standing in his territory also has the right to ask certain
guarantees of permanency from the man whose product he handles.
T
H E typewriter industry and the auto industry have both had
their problem of the disposal of the used instrument or
machine traded in for an improved article. But there is a vast
difference between the auto or the typewriter and the piano. A
good piano will last a lifetime. How long will an auto last? Two
or three years and give good service.. A typewriter is good for
about the same amount of usage,
<
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
WHEN A MUSICAL EDUCATION SHOULD BEGIN.
(Continued from page 3.)
was forbidden by the theorists, he answered: "But I allow them." He defied the long-eared critics
of his day, but he never offended or perplexed the ears of the simple and unprejudiced music-
loving world.
The percentage of our people who really appreciate good music perhaps is small, but where
is the education to begin? Surely not with the middle-aged or old, but with the young. And when
is the time to begin this education? In childhood. And where is there anyone better fitted, from
whom this energetic uplift should come to aid the musical education of the young, than the
men whose material interests lie in the music trade industry?
Taken from any viewpoint, musical education with the young should be encouraged in every
possible way.
The piano merchants of this country possess in themselves a tre-
mendous force, if properly directed, which would be instrumental in
aiding the music culture of the nation, and through it a higher and
more appreciative civilization.
Extending the Market for Player-Pianos.
T
H E value of co-operation between manufacturer and dealer
has never been better illustrated in any industry than in the
success achieved by the dealers in talking machines, who, with the
aid of manufacturers, have been able to carry on a most intelligent
and successful campaign in the localities where they reside, in dis-
posing of machines and records to lovers of the modern dances—a
craze which, by the way, seems to be growing in intensity.
This brings to mind the question whether the manufacturers of
music rolls and the manufacturers of player-pianos could not,
through closer co-operation with their dealers, succeed in building
up a larger volume of trade along the same lines. For the player-
piano, like the talking machine, makes a special appeal to the terpsi-
chorean community.
With some exceptions, dealers do not take the initiative in
matters of this kind, and it therefore needs the leadership of the
manufacturers in preparing stimulating literature which, through
local circulation, may interest the patrons of the dance in the latest
rolls as well as in player-pianos handled by their representatives.
Something has been done by music roll manufacturers in get-
ting out special lists of dance music, but something more than this
could be done. The very effective campaign inaugurated so suc-
cessfully by the talking machine manufacturers is well worth
emulation in this connection. At a time of the year when trade
ordinarily is stagnant a good business could be developed, and a
new interest aroused in the player-piano or music rolls handled by
dealers if an effort is made and the manufacturers do their part.
To prepare and develop the campaign should not be a tre-
mendous task, for the way has been marked out by the talking
machine manufacturers. Their methods of procedure, as well as
the success they have achieved, are well worthy of investigation and
consideration. It is always well for the manufacturer to "keep his
ear to the ground," metaphorically speaking, so that the dealer is
aided in securing every business advantage.
One of the best things done in the exploitation of the player-piano
as an essential to the proper enjoyment of the dance has been the
window displays recently made by a number of piano dealers. This
very excellent plan of attracting public attention to the player-piano
and music rolls could be pursued with profit by others. Those deal-
ers who have not the window space for displays of dancing to the
player-piano could send out invitations for special dances in the
warerooms on certain days, in this way attracting many people
who are not aware of the wonderful development of the player-
piano, and who would naturally become interested not only in the
instrument but in the hand-played music rolls, which are now
winning such favorable notice from those who use them.
There is another field in which the talking machine dealer has
scored a great success, which is well worthy the attention of piano
dealers who are featuring players—that is in the schoolroom.
In many schools nowadays player-pianos are being utilized by
teachers in the gymnasium, not Only for exercises, but also for danc-
ing. In some cases a repertoire of school songs and special musical
numbers have been specially cut or selected whereby concerts can
be given by means of the player-pianos without the aid of a pro-
fessional musician. The player-piano can be utilized in a variety
of ways in the schoolroom, particularly where teachers have no
special talent in a musical way.
As a matter of fact, teachers have found the talking machine
quite an aid, and it seems to us rather strange that the dealer han-
dling players should not give greater attention to the schools as sale
and publicity avenues for player-pianos and music rolls.
Proof of the importance of the player-piano in the school was
set forth in The Review recently, when illustrations were shown
of the good use to which the Autopiano had been placed in Public
School No. 62, which is located in Hester street, New York—right
in the heart of the crowded foreign section.
In this school it has been used by the pupils with the greatest
success, not only for folk dancing, but for gymnasium work. It is
Operated by one of the pupils, and both teachers and pupils express
the greatest delight over its remarkable possibilities.
There is no question but that the player-piano is going to be in
demand in every school in the United States. Whether it be in the
"little red school house" on the country road, or in the more palatial
buildings in the towns or cities, it will afford a delight and pleasure
that will appeal to teachers and pupils alike.
"Not only does the failure of the manufacturer cause loss to
the dealer when the piano is taken off the market, but, also, it some-
times happens, the name rights are sold to another concern which
uses the name, but does not maintain the quality of the product.
In such a case the dealer suffers more than if the name drops en-
tirely out of the trade for a couple of the inferior instruments can
get into his territory and ruin a reputation for honest values that
it has taken years to build.
"There is much said and written about watching the credits
of dealers, of the loyalty on the part of the dealer to the manufac-
turer and similar matters in which the manufacturer figures to lp.se,
but the new turn of affairs indicates that the dealer with a reputa-
tion and standing in his territory also has the right to ask certain
guarantees of permanency from the man whose product he handles.
T
H E typewriter industry and the auto industry have both had
their problem of the disposal of the used instrument or
machine traded in for an improved article. But there is a vast
difference between the auto or the typewriter and the piano. A
good piano will last a lifetime. How long will an auto last? Two
or three years and give good service.. A typewriter is good for
about the same amount of usage,
<
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).