Music Trade Review
Issue: 1928 Vol. 87 N. 25 - Page 8
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The Music Trade Review
DECEMBER 22, 1928
or should be, quite competent to develop the movement on a na-
tional basis successfully. It will have more ground to cover than
did the English trade, but in many other aspects the problem is
very similar and the details of the British contest might be studied
with considerable profit, with a view to adopting the successful
features and eliminating the faulty ones.
1
(Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
Published Every Saturday by
Federated Business Publications, Inc.
at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York
President, Raymond Bill; Vice-Presidents, J. B. Spillane, Randolph Brown; Secre-
tary and Treasurer, Edward Lyman Bill; Assistant Secretary, L. B. McDonald;
Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
Win. J. DOUGHERTY, Managing Editor
RAY BILL, Associate Editor
F. L. AVERY, Circulation Manager
E. B. MUNCH, Eastern Representative
WESTERN DIVISION:
FRANK W. KIRK, Manager
E. J. NEALY
333 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Telephone: State 1266
BOSTON OFFICE:
JottN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
i, Telephone: Main 6950
Telephone: Lexington 1760-71
Cable: Elbill New York
December 22, 1928
Vol. 87
No. 25
&etrieto €xtenb* to tfje
Jilugtc 3fabustrp Corbtal <©reet=
ings for tfje 2|olibap Reason anb
#oob (Ultsfjcs for a Successful
anb profitable Jleto f?ear
G
The British Piano-Playing Contest
REAT BRITAIN may have followed the United States
in the adoption of the piano-playing contest idea, but
she has led the United States in the presentation of thar
contest plan on a countrywide basis and the results of the first na-
tional piano-playing contest, the finals of which were held in London
recently, should prove of distinct interest to those of our American
trade who see something in this type of contest beyond a local ap-
peal.
It is to be admitted that the two countries vary greatly in size,
but there would seem to be no particular reason why the zone or
area plan adopted in England could not be worked equally well in
this country. In fact, with our state divisions, the problem should
be considerably simplified, for instead of eighteen areas, as in the
British contest, the forty-eight states would be recognized as units
and preliminary contests held within their borders to determine the
state representative to compete in the national finals.
There are other features of the British plan that might well be
considered by those who arc enthusiastic about backing a national
contest on this side of the water. The idea, for instance, of having
the entrants play original compositions written specially, for the
contest by recognized composers, and thus placing each of the con-
testants on an equal basis, is on-e that is well worthy of thought and
there is sufficient creative talent in the country to make it entirely
feasible. The plan, too., of awarding substantial prizes to the teach-
ers of the winning contestants is also one that is worthy of emula-
tion in that it is calculated to arouse the interest of the teacher pro-
fession in the contest itself, and its success to the extent of en-
couraging talented pupils to enter.
Having launched the piano-playing contest plan as a local move-
ment, and profiting by experience, the music men of this country are,
What Is The Answer?
HE message of this editorial presentment is directed
to the man in the music business who to-day may be
wondering, perhaps, why sales in his establishment
are not what they should be at this season of the year. There
are a great number of dealers throughout the music trade who will
readily tell you in mournful tone that "business is rotten," to use
their exact expression. Pressed for further explanation, they
don't hesitate in the least to declare with much emphasis that the
underlying reason for slack sales in music is fundamental—the
public isn't buying.
Then, on the other hand, reports come in from all sections of
the country testifying to "splendid sales of pianos, talking machines,
merchandise and sheet music," in some of the high-class stores
where the sales curve can always be depended upon to maintain
its level.
What is the answer ?
Late this week the writer visited that old-established and re-
nowned music house of C. H. Ditson & Co., in New York. Walk-
ing through the various departments of this general headquarters
for "Everything in Music," we were instantly reminded of the
Christmas buying season. Clerks were intently waiting on patrons;
others hurrying here and there; in the sheet music section a large
force of sales clerks were attending to the 'needs of many people;
upstairs men and women were trying out various instruments, an
expensive accordion was being played to an elderly woman who
wanted it for her boy; a young girl was seated at a harp while
the salesman pointed out its qualities; still another woman was
asking to see the musical saw outfits; two young boys with their
mother wanted harmonicas. The store was fully alive with busi-
ness.
We stood and surveyed the entire picture and mentally asked
this question: "Why can't this be true of every other music
store ?"
The answer can be given in just a few words.
Quality merchandise, including everything musical; honorable
dealings; effective advertising, Proper Window Display and Mer
chandising Promotion Methods together with high-class salesman-
ship.
There's your answer. In the aforegoing paragraph you will
find the cornerstone of this Ditson success, that is within the reach
of any other high-class music merchant who really wants to go out
and develop his business along proper lines.
As long as the world exists people of all classes will have an in-
herent love for music and a desire to express it. The public will
buy, if properly approached. Ditson has proved this. The demand
is there, but it behooves the dealer to step forth and cultivate it.
The House of Ditson has furnished us with a most inspiring .mes-
sage this Christmas season, that should give every dealer not satis-
fied with his holiday sales results this year some splendid food for
thought in making his plans for 1929.
A
Now the Musical Bean Pot
CCORDING to news despatches a woman in California
was startled to hear snatches of an orchestral concert
coming from a pot of beans cooking on the stove, and
stirring the beans found that the reception of the music was much
improved. Can this musical bean pot mean more competition for
the music dealer?
The Music Trade Review
DECEMBER 22, 1928
or should be, quite competent to develop the movement on a na-
tional basis successfully. It will have more ground to cover than
did the English trade, but in many other aspects the problem is
very similar and the details of the British contest might be studied
with considerable profit, with a view to adopting the successful
features and eliminating the faulty ones.
1
(Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
Published Every Saturday by
Federated Business Publications, Inc.
at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York
President, Raymond Bill; Vice-Presidents, J. B. Spillane, Randolph Brown; Secre-
tary and Treasurer, Edward Lyman Bill; Assistant Secretary, L. B. McDonald;
Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
Win. J. DOUGHERTY, Managing Editor
RAY BILL, Associate Editor
F. L. AVERY, Circulation Manager
E. B. MUNCH, Eastern Representative
WESTERN DIVISION:
FRANK W. KIRK, Manager
E. J. NEALY
333 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Telephone: State 1266
BOSTON OFFICE:
JottN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
i, Telephone: Main 6950
Telephone: Lexington 1760-71
Cable: Elbill New York
December 22, 1928
Vol. 87
No. 25
&etrieto €xtenb* to tfje
Jilugtc 3fabustrp Corbtal <©reet=
ings for tfje 2|olibap Reason anb
#oob (Ultsfjcs for a Successful
anb profitable Jleto f?ear
G
The British Piano-Playing Contest
REAT BRITAIN may have followed the United States
in the adoption of the piano-playing contest idea, but
she has led the United States in the presentation of thar
contest plan on a countrywide basis and the results of the first na-
tional piano-playing contest, the finals of which were held in London
recently, should prove of distinct interest to those of our American
trade who see something in this type of contest beyond a local ap-
peal.
It is to be admitted that the two countries vary greatly in size,
but there would seem to be no particular reason why the zone or
area plan adopted in England could not be worked equally well in
this country. In fact, with our state divisions, the problem should
be considerably simplified, for instead of eighteen areas, as in the
British contest, the forty-eight states would be recognized as units
and preliminary contests held within their borders to determine the
state representative to compete in the national finals.
There are other features of the British plan that might well be
considered by those who arc enthusiastic about backing a national
contest on this side of the water. The idea, for instance, of having
the entrants play original compositions written specially, for the
contest by recognized composers, and thus placing each of the con-
testants on an equal basis, is on-e that is well worthy of thought and
there is sufficient creative talent in the country to make it entirely
feasible. The plan, too., of awarding substantial prizes to the teach-
ers of the winning contestants is also one that is worthy of emula-
tion in that it is calculated to arouse the interest of the teacher pro-
fession in the contest itself, and its success to the extent of en-
couraging talented pupils to enter.
Having launched the piano-playing contest plan as a local move-
ment, and profiting by experience, the music men of this country are,
What Is The Answer?
HE message of this editorial presentment is directed
to the man in the music business who to-day may be
wondering, perhaps, why sales in his establishment
are not what they should be at this season of the year. There
are a great number of dealers throughout the music trade who will
readily tell you in mournful tone that "business is rotten," to use
their exact expression. Pressed for further explanation, they
don't hesitate in the least to declare with much emphasis that the
underlying reason for slack sales in music is fundamental—the
public isn't buying.
Then, on the other hand, reports come in from all sections of
the country testifying to "splendid sales of pianos, talking machines,
merchandise and sheet music," in some of the high-class stores
where the sales curve can always be depended upon to maintain
its level.
What is the answer ?
Late this week the writer visited that old-established and re-
nowned music house of C. H. Ditson & Co., in New York. Walk-
ing through the various departments of this general headquarters
for "Everything in Music," we were instantly reminded of the
Christmas buying season. Clerks were intently waiting on patrons;
others hurrying here and there; in the sheet music section a large
force of sales clerks were attending to the 'needs of many people;
upstairs men and women were trying out various instruments, an
expensive accordion was being played to an elderly woman who
wanted it for her boy; a young girl was seated at a harp while
the salesman pointed out its qualities; still another woman was
asking to see the musical saw outfits; two young boys with their
mother wanted harmonicas. The store was fully alive with busi-
ness.
We stood and surveyed the entire picture and mentally asked
this question: "Why can't this be true of every other music
store ?"
The answer can be given in just a few words.
Quality merchandise, including everything musical; honorable
dealings; effective advertising, Proper Window Display and Mer
chandising Promotion Methods together with high-class salesman-
ship.
There's your answer. In the aforegoing paragraph you will
find the cornerstone of this Ditson success, that is within the reach
of any other high-class music merchant who really wants to go out
and develop his business along proper lines.
As long as the world exists people of all classes will have an in-
herent love for music and a desire to express it. The public will
buy, if properly approached. Ditson has proved this. The demand
is there, but it behooves the dealer to step forth and cultivate it.
The House of Ditson has furnished us with a most inspiring .mes-
sage this Christmas season, that should give every dealer not satis-
fied with his holiday sales results this year some splendid food for
thought in making his plans for 1929.
A
Now the Musical Bean Pot
CCORDING to news despatches a woman in California
was startled to hear snatches of an orchestral concert
coming from a pot of beans cooking on the stove, and
stirring the beans found that the reception of the music was much
improved. Can this musical bean pot mean more competition for
the music dealer?
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