Music Trade Review
Issue: 1922 Vol. 75 N. 24 - Page 158
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
148
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
CONCERNING THE SALE OF ORCHESTRATIONS
By M. WINKLER, President of Belwin, Inc.
There has long been a feeling in both pub-
lishing and retail circles that there are too many
orchestrations placed in orchestra leaders'
hands gratis. Attempts have been made, in
some instances with some success, in charging
for all orchestrations with the exception of
those for some of the leading dance combina-
tions which are considered the bipc factors in
several times the size of the ordinary orchestra-
tion. For these, of course, the publishers make
a charge.
Comparatively few dealers in the country get
the most out of a sale of orchestrations. Where
the proper attention is given to this feature it
has been the means of not only creating addi-
tional profits, but attracting musicians to the
DECEMBER 9, 1922
discount featured in the retailing of such goods
be discontinued.
What discount do you allow to orchestra
leaders? Why discounts? This is but another
phase of the music business which I would call
illegitimate. It is most peculiar that dealers
and professional musicians throughout the
country have not as yet come to the realization
that nothing can be deducted unless added on
first. Paper is patient—no printed copy of a
number will protest no matter what price you
decorate it with. Rut why all this camouflage?
, Would you like to see your own honest and
true language discounted? I am sure that you
are all acquainted with the phrase, "Discount
what he says." In every-day language it means
the fellow is lying. This is just the situation
governing the policy of discounts. It was
created years ago in a price-cutting spirit by
a few men in the publishing industry and has
gradually developed into a chronic disease,
forcing legitimate concerns to raise their prices
in order to combat this epidemic.
Why can't we publishers, assisted by the
dealers, inaugurate an educational campaign on
this matter? Why should the music industry
issue catalogs listing prices which don't mean
anything? Why continue making our patrons
happy by camouflaging? We all know that be-
fore a publisher or dealer marks a certain price
on an orchestral number he first thinks of the
price he is going to sell it for and next he
thinks of the discount, adds the two together
and everybody is happy. Why not resort to
truth and tell the "discount fans" that there is
no discount because the price marked is the
lowest and rock bottom? Let it be an honest
and true price and make them understand that
truth cannot be discounted.
MANY POPULAR WITMARK SONGS
M. Winkler, Snapped at One of His Busy Moments
their line and who are able to give a new issue establishment, invariably resulting in the sale
an impetus that results in its becoming a of instruments and small goods.
favorite with orchestras everywhere. Some or-
At the annual meetings of the National Asso-
chestras, too, of course, must try out the new ciation of Sheet Music Dealers the sale of or-
numbers and give the publisher an idea of their chestrations is generally given consideration
possibilities as dance selections, etc. Naturally, and some success has been achieved in making
under the circumstances, it would hardly be it possible for the retailer to get a larger share
wise to charge such orchestra leaders for the of such sales.
material.
We have given the sale of orchestrations
In recent months several publishing houses through the retailer more than a little attention,
have issued what are known as special or- and feel that not only should free orchestrations
chestrations. These are arranged at extra ex- be discontinued, but that the dealer should be
pense, are printed on heavy stock and are allowed a larger share in their sale and the
STASNY LATEST RELEASES
"PANAMA TWILIGHT"
SUCCESSOR TO "RIO NIGHTS"
"OH BABY"
BY BENNY DAVIS, WRITER OF "MARGIE," "ANGEL CHILD," ETC.
"I'M CALLING YOU"
THE BALLAD WITH CHIME EFFECTS
I'VE GOT ANOTHER LOVIN' MAMA
(CALLIN* ME DADDY NOW)
BY THE WRITER OF "WAKE UP, LTTTLE GIRL," "NESTLE IN YOl R DADDY'S ARMS'
"MIDSUMMER NIGHT BLUES"
A TYPICAL BLUE FOX TROT.
"RIO NIGHTS"
THE EVER-POPULAR WALTZ SUCCESS
A. J. STASNY MUSIC CO.
56 West 45th Street
New York City
Standard Pictorial Songs Published by M. Wit-
mark & Sons Make Gains in Popularity
There's always a healthy, steady improvement
in the popular standard pictorial songs issued
by M. Witmark & Sons. Much activity that
extends from coast to coast is ever noticeable
in the promotion of these hits and every local
office in important cities of the country co-
operates with splendid results with the main
professional offices in New York. The season
recently inaugurated sees many new sellers
issued by this firm carried over to make activity
for the New Year. Some of them are of very
recent date; others, like "Angel Child" and "Say
It While Dancing," are still popular. The vogue
of the dance craze still exercises its powerful
influence on the really popular songs of the day,
but it is significant that the Witmark numbers
can and do hold their own as mighty singable
and sellable songs, irrespective of their un-
doubted merits as dancing favorites. One of
the most promising of new songs, "Carry Me
Back to My Carolina Home," is by the same
writers as "Angel Child." Other favorites are
"For the Sake of Auld Lang Syne," by Ernest
R..Ball, a typical Ball-Witmark waltz ballad,
and a new one by this writer invitingly named
"The Little Gray House Without Any Key."
Growing fast in public demand and favor is
"All Over Nothing at All," with still newer
hits, such as "Fate," an uncommonly meritorious
number, and "Juliette," catchy and up to date.
In addition, mention may also be made of a
number of really successful picture songs issued
by Witmark—songs that are identified with the
screening of important productions and whose
sales are large. Heading the list, of course, is
the beautiful Penn song, "Srriilin' Through," the
only song on record which was not written for
a picture, but actually inspired it; also "Oliver
Twist," immortalizing Jackie Coogan in the
part; "Eternal Flame," featuring Norma Tal-
madge; "Suzanna," with Mabel Normand; "You
Know How 'Tis," inspired by Virginia Valli's
phrase in "The Storm"; "My Wild Irish Rose"
and "Lorna Doone," one of the really graceful
numbers that a picture has evoked.
148
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
CONCERNING THE SALE OF ORCHESTRATIONS
By M. WINKLER, President of Belwin, Inc.
There has long been a feeling in both pub-
lishing and retail circles that there are too many
orchestrations placed in orchestra leaders'
hands gratis. Attempts have been made, in
some instances with some success, in charging
for all orchestrations with the exception of
those for some of the leading dance combina-
tions which are considered the bipc factors in
several times the size of the ordinary orchestra-
tion. For these, of course, the publishers make
a charge.
Comparatively few dealers in the country get
the most out of a sale of orchestrations. Where
the proper attention is given to this feature it
has been the means of not only creating addi-
tional profits, but attracting musicians to the
DECEMBER 9, 1922
discount featured in the retailing of such goods
be discontinued.
What discount do you allow to orchestra
leaders? Why discounts? This is but another
phase of the music business which I would call
illegitimate. It is most peculiar that dealers
and professional musicians throughout the
country have not as yet come to the realization
that nothing can be deducted unless added on
first. Paper is patient—no printed copy of a
number will protest no matter what price you
decorate it with. Rut why all this camouflage?
, Would you like to see your own honest and
true language discounted? I am sure that you
are all acquainted with the phrase, "Discount
what he says." In every-day language it means
the fellow is lying. This is just the situation
governing the policy of discounts. It was
created years ago in a price-cutting spirit by
a few men in the publishing industry and has
gradually developed into a chronic disease,
forcing legitimate concerns to raise their prices
in order to combat this epidemic.
Why can't we publishers, assisted by the
dealers, inaugurate an educational campaign on
this matter? Why should the music industry
issue catalogs listing prices which don't mean
anything? Why continue making our patrons
happy by camouflaging? We all know that be-
fore a publisher or dealer marks a certain price
on an orchestral number he first thinks of the
price he is going to sell it for and next he
thinks of the discount, adds the two together
and everybody is happy. Why not resort to
truth and tell the "discount fans" that there is
no discount because the price marked is the
lowest and rock bottom? Let it be an honest
and true price and make them understand that
truth cannot be discounted.
MANY POPULAR WITMARK SONGS
M. Winkler, Snapped at One of His Busy Moments
their line and who are able to give a new issue establishment, invariably resulting in the sale
an impetus that results in its becoming a of instruments and small goods.
favorite with orchestras everywhere. Some or-
At the annual meetings of the National Asso-
chestras, too, of course, must try out the new ciation of Sheet Music Dealers the sale of or-
numbers and give the publisher an idea of their chestrations is generally given consideration
possibilities as dance selections, etc. Naturally, and some success has been achieved in making
under the circumstances, it would hardly be it possible for the retailer to get a larger share
wise to charge such orchestra leaders for the of such sales.
material.
We have given the sale of orchestrations
In recent months several publishing houses through the retailer more than a little attention,
have issued what are known as special or- and feel that not only should free orchestrations
chestrations. These are arranged at extra ex- be discontinued, but that the dealer should be
pense, are printed on heavy stock and are allowed a larger share in their sale and the
STASNY LATEST RELEASES
"PANAMA TWILIGHT"
SUCCESSOR TO "RIO NIGHTS"
"OH BABY"
BY BENNY DAVIS, WRITER OF "MARGIE," "ANGEL CHILD," ETC.
"I'M CALLING YOU"
THE BALLAD WITH CHIME EFFECTS
I'VE GOT ANOTHER LOVIN' MAMA
(CALLIN* ME DADDY NOW)
BY THE WRITER OF "WAKE UP, LTTTLE GIRL," "NESTLE IN YOl R DADDY'S ARMS'
"MIDSUMMER NIGHT BLUES"
A TYPICAL BLUE FOX TROT.
"RIO NIGHTS"
THE EVER-POPULAR WALTZ SUCCESS
A. J. STASNY MUSIC CO.
56 West 45th Street
New York City
Standard Pictorial Songs Published by M. Wit-
mark & Sons Make Gains in Popularity
There's always a healthy, steady improvement
in the popular standard pictorial songs issued
by M. Witmark & Sons. Much activity that
extends from coast to coast is ever noticeable
in the promotion of these hits and every local
office in important cities of the country co-
operates with splendid results with the main
professional offices in New York. The season
recently inaugurated sees many new sellers
issued by this firm carried over to make activity
for the New Year. Some of them are of very
recent date; others, like "Angel Child" and "Say
It While Dancing," are still popular. The vogue
of the dance craze still exercises its powerful
influence on the really popular songs of the day,
but it is significant that the Witmark numbers
can and do hold their own as mighty singable
and sellable songs, irrespective of their un-
doubted merits as dancing favorites. One of
the most promising of new songs, "Carry Me
Back to My Carolina Home," is by the same
writers as "Angel Child." Other favorites are
"For the Sake of Auld Lang Syne," by Ernest
R..Ball, a typical Ball-Witmark waltz ballad,
and a new one by this writer invitingly named
"The Little Gray House Without Any Key."
Growing fast in public demand and favor is
"All Over Nothing at All," with still newer
hits, such as "Fate," an uncommonly meritorious
number, and "Juliette," catchy and up to date.
In addition, mention may also be made of a
number of really successful picture songs issued
by Witmark—songs that are identified with the
screening of important productions and whose
sales are large. Heading the list, of course, is
the beautiful Penn song, "Srriilin' Through," the
only song on record which was not written for
a picture, but actually inspired it; also "Oliver
Twist," immortalizing Jackie Coogan in the
part; "Eternal Flame," featuring Norma Tal-
madge; "Suzanna," with Mabel Normand; "You
Know How 'Tis," inspired by Virginia Valli's
phrase in "The Storm"; "My Wild Irish Rose"
and "Lorna Doone," one of the really graceful
numbers that a picture has evoked.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).