Music Trade Review

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EDITORIALLY SPEAKING
eason's (greetings
THE REVIEW extends to the members of
the Music Trade sincere wishes for a suc-
cessful and prosperous year in 1933.
"Let There Be Much Music"
CONSIDERING THE NEW YEAR
AND SOME OF ITS POSSIBILITIES
W
I T H I N a very few days the memorable year
of 1932 will have passed on and a new year
begun. Lacking a crystal ball or the presence
of a Seventh Daughter of a Seventh Daughter,
prophesies are lacking but there are definite facts to be con-
sidered in relation to the business prospects for 1933 that hold
some hope.
In the first place a new National administration is com-
ing into office, and, although its various representatives cannot
perform half the miracles promised during the pre-election
campaign, there will be, unquestionably, an earnest attempt
made to cut governmental expenses, provide farm relief and
otherwise clarify the problems that now exist. The anticipa-
tion of relief, at least, will give confidence to a host of citizens
and is likely to step-up general retail buying.
Although the sale of musical instruments throughout the
country generally has been at low ebb during the year just
closing, with, however, a distinct upturn in many sections
during the fall months, it is to be remembered that produc-
tion, too, has reached a low level and that one or two months
of good business will absorb available supplies of new instru-
ments and start the factory wheels turning again. How high
is up may still be a question, but business men are pretty well
informed as to how low is down.
The members of the music trade of the country, for the
most part, are to be congratulated upon their courage and
confidence in the ultimate soundness of the industry in which
they are engaged. They have kept stores and factories operat-
ing, often at a loss, as evidence of that faith. Their reward
will come with the upturn of business generally and they
will be ready to profit by it before the man who has curled
up and moaned can organize and get going again.
CENTERING ATTENTION ON MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS OF THE KEYBOARD TYPE
instruments have been widely demonstrated both before audi-
torium audiences and over the radio, and there has been some
speculation as to the manner in which they and other instru-
ments of similar types will fit into the home.
For the average piano dealer these new instruments should
prove of particular interest, not alone for their own sales
and promotion possibilities but for the effect they may pos-
sibly have in encouraging home entertainment. There are
those who regard them as competitors of the piano yet they
go beyond that stage, and, properly considered, offer new
opportunities for musical expression. What should interest
the piano merchant primarily, outside of any sale or profit
possibilities, is the fact that they are keyboard instruments,
that they are not mobile, and once placed in the home must
of necessity remain there until moved for some definite pur-
pose. It is held, and quite properly, that any instrument of
the keyboard type that finds its way into the home serves to
smooth the way for the sale of a piano where none is already
available. It is a point well worth considering.
IS THE PLAYER-PIANO REALLY DEAD
OR IS IT A VICTIM OF NEGLECT
I
S the player-piano dead ? Most members of the trade in
the United States seem to believe so despite the fact that
players—mostly used instruments as well as a considerable
number of new ones—are being sold in substantial quan-
tities in various sections of the country. It appears that dealers
with faith in the product are still able to convince prospective
purchasers of its value as an entertainer. Whatever may be
the status of the player in the United States, due in no small
measure to the indifference of the average dealer to that
instrument in his eagerness to sell grands, the fact remains
that in England they take the player-piano seriously.
Only last month over twoscorc English piano manufac-
turers, as well as a host of dealers, participated in the observ-
ance of a Player-Piano Week. During the week player-piano
music was broadcast in a manner to give the general public
an excellent idea of the possibilities of the instrument and in
local territories serious player-piano recitals served to attract
thousands of visitors, in the aggregate. The main point is that
this one week campaign not only resulted in the immediate
sale of numerous player-pianos in England, but aroused public
interest to a point that insures thousands of prospects for
future sales efforts.
What is the matter with featuring a flayer-piano week in
the United States, if not on a unified national basis at least
on a local basis and on an agreed date ? Such a week, or for
that matter several of them, may not serve to bring the player-
piano back to its former popularity, but unquestionably it
would serve to revive to some extent a market that has been
so badly neglected that it seems dead.
W
I T H I N recent weeks there has been brought to
the attention of the trade and the public at least
two new keyboard instruments of the piano type in
which electrical impulses are utilized to produce
and develop both ordinary and unusual musical tones. These
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
December,
1932