Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
9
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E have had the right sort of a year, after all. Not meaning
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that 1916 was expected to be aught save prosperous, but
rather that, somehow or other, there was quite a prevalent belief
that the latest figures would show somewhat less of a total than
they actually did. Yet, gratifying as the 1916 business figures
are, and not neglecting the possibilities that the actual production
of pianos and player-pianos will turn out to have been by far the
greatest ever—when the returns have been finally counted—it is
well to remember that the previous two years left holes in the
normal aggregate volume of trade which 1916 did no more than to
patch up. Looking forward to 1917, we naturally ask ourselves
what the outlook is for the player business; and we may be fairly
sure that that outlook is not dark by any manner of means. In-
deed, at the moment of writing there is not a cloud in the sky, save
that single nimbus which represents the high cost of manufactur-
ing and appears to be growing larger daily. Yet even high costs
cannot of themselves stop business; they can only drive us to
make improvements in methods. And, if nothing else, we can
perhaps also be driven, through stress of circumstances, to dis-
cover ways and means of opening up new fields for the sale of
'high class,"and higher priced instruments to such sections of the
people as have not yet taken them up. No! 1917 will not be a bad
year. It will be a good—and probably an extremely good—year.
It may even be a banner year; though in that case we shall have
to do more than merely let the orders drift in.
the whole, it may be said that 1917 ought to be the year in
O N which
the final position of the power-driven player is settled.
supposing also the development of a more artistic player than has
been considered a commercial article; yet it is no secret that such
players exist and are to be had. Let us not fall into the error of
supposing that the player business can be run forever without
the application of intelligence.
HE music roll on which are printed the words of a song of
T
which the accompaniment forms the subject-matter of the
perforations—in short, the song-roll or whatever like that it is
called—appears to have firmly settled itself for at least a good
trial run. Naturally, its future will depend upon the trend of
public taste. If the demand keeps up, the song-roll will continue
to be published in growing quantities. If it does not ''take," as
the saying is, it will gradually recede into a sort of desuetude,
ultimately to disappear altogether. But in all the talk which has
been fired off about the song-roll, the fact has apparently been
overlooked that the really wise thing to do with it is to treat it as
a new idea, to sell it as a big improvement, and to get a bigger
price for it. In short, seeing that the song-roll is the first modifi-
cation in the music-roll business that is universal in its appeal and
also fits every player-piano without attendant complications of
any sort, why not get a decent price out of it? Why let the pub-
lic have the benefit of our improvements, expenditures and labors,
without getting some decent return? Is there, here, something
that indicates a weakness? Surely the trade is not weak-minded.
No! but the trade, in this case, is thoughtless. To sell the song-
roll on the same terms and in the same conditions as at present
surround the ordinary music-roll seems to us to involve the de-
Jiberate throwing away of a great opportunity.
Taking it by and large, appearances are in favor of the power-
driven instrument landing on top. But we certainly do hope that
T is probably quite true to say that the ratio between pianos
the trade will not rush too precipitately to the conclusion that the
and player-pianos is rapidly approaching equality of terms. In
day of the foot-driven player is past and gone. The power-driven
a word, the output of player-pianos will soon be equal to that of
player has nothing of superiority over its foot-driven rival—let
straight pianos. The signs are definite and persistent. It is
it be well understood—unless it is a reproducing player pure and
hardly to be doubted that, as remarked by a trade authority a
simple. A power-driven instrument which is simply a pumpless
player-piano, will not sell largely; because its extra cost does not week or so ago, the player-piano is now occupying the same posi-
give enough to warrant paying it. On the other hand, if you tion in its relation with the upright that the latter did thirty-five
make it a reproducing player, pure and simple, you must get a or forty years ago in its relation with the organ. That the result
of the present contest will be the victory of the player-piano is,
very good price for it and that means you must sell it to people
of course, a foregone conclusion. It is the opinion of many that
of some wealth. That again, means more intelligence and more
the
straight upright piano will, in course of time, altogether cease to
careful preparation of selling campaigns. There is no doubt that
exist.
Its place will be taken by the baby grand and the player. The
the player-piano of the power-driven, reproducing type has its
disappearance
is not immediately due; but there can be little
own position and its own future, both assured; but it decidedly
doubt
that
the
course of events during 1917 will bring it appre-
does not mean that the foot-driven player would have no chance
r
ciably
nearer.
with the people of w ealth and intelligence against the reproducer.
Far from it. The foot-driven player—or anyhow the personal
ATURE itself is always breaking down and repairing^her own
control player without automatic expression—if it be developed
work, and the piano or player merchant is not yet born who
as far along expressive lines as it already has been in some quar-
can afford to let his business take its natural course without con-
ters—is the one player which will appeal to J:he person of general
stant watchfulness against the inroads of dry rot. This watchful-
taste and of some specific love for music. Such persons have their
ness, too, has a tendency to keep him alive to new methods that pro-
habitation in the cities and villages of the land in far greatei
gressive dealers are following throughout the country—the men who
numbers than is generally supposed; but until player retailers are
make good—the men who read the trade papers—the men who act.
capable of meeting such persons on their own social and intel-
It keeps him in health and happiness, because he knows that his
lectual level, and of setting forth the merits of the player-piano
business is prospering and that he himself is mentally awake and
with a modicum of musical knowledge and intelligence, that sort
of trade will not be successfully cultivated. Of course, we are in touch with conditions.
I
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The Master Player-Piano
is now equipped with an
AUTOMATIC TRACKING DEVICE
Which guarantees absolutely correct tracking of even the most imperfect music rolls
WINTER & CO., 220 Southern Boulevard, New York City