Music Trade Review

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MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
HOHNER ISSUES COMPREHENSIVE WORK O N
ART OF PLAYING THE PIANO ACCORDION
ARTICULARLY timely and important,
in view of the rapidly developing in-
terest in the piano accordion during the
past few years especially among children and
amateurs generally, is the new and imposing
volume on piano accordion playing just is-
sued by M. Hohner, Inc., New York.
In every respect the book entitled, The Art
of Playing the Piano Accordion, is the most
comprehensive and practical that has thus
far made its appearance. It has been com-
piled by Irving Valentine, prominent as a
music educator and Music Director of the
Newtown High School, New York City. In
discussing the volume Mr. Valentine said:
"From the wide experience I have had with
over six thousand school pupils, I have come
to the conclusion that the piano accordion is
the most popular musical instrument of the
present day and one that is fascinating alike
to the player as well as the listener.
"Prior to the publication o fthis book, I
examined other instructors published in this
country and abroad and it was the lack of
suitable material that prompted me to en-
gage in the preparation of this edition."
The present volume, of a hundred large
pages, strongly bound, comprises twelve les-
sons and is designed for use with piano ac-
cordions of 8, 12 and 24 basses; the type of
instrument most favored by the beginner.
The lessons are profusely illustrated to indi-
cate the position of the hands and other de-
P
tails and are so comprehensive that the series
of twelve lessons take the student from the
barest elementals, as, for instance, the posi-
tion of the hands when first grasping the in-
strument, to a point where he is able to play
several simple melodies especially arranged
for the piano accordion. The various
scales are given with illustrations to indi-
cate their positions on the keyboard and
numerous exercises are provided for finger-
ing and chord studies.
Mr. Valentine's long and practical experi-
ence in instructing pupils in the playing of
various types of instruments from the har-
monica up, has placed him in a position to
chart a course of study that is practical,
logical and readily understandable by the
student. Nothing, apparently, is overlooked
that will enable the beginner to grasp the
fundamentals quickly and thus be able to
play melodies without great difficulty. Sim-
ple arrangements of well-known airs, such
as "Long, Long Ago," "My Bonnie," "Dixie,"
etc., insure rapid progress.
It is the plan of M. Hohner, Inc., to in-
clude one of the new instruction books with
each of their accordions for the edification
of the purchaser and additional copies will
also be available to the public generally at
a modest price. In every respect it repre-
sents a notable edition to the musical litera-
ture of the day and should enhance the
interest in the piano accordion materially.
WHAT IS THE FUTURE
OF PIANO RETAILERS?
your ideas generally and I believe the piano
industry can be brought back to a substan-
tial basis, through and by practical sales-
manship and proper cooperation between the
retailer and manufacturer. The piano busi-
ness was affected largely by unscrupulous
dealers before the depression, also by cheap
pianos sold at fabulous prices and easy terms.
"Yours in tune, W. C. HURLOCK."
{Continued from page 8)
[purposeful survey of the piano business of
iday in THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, Decem-
number, is most representative of the
fuation that the writer has had the pleas-
of reading. Kindly allow me to register
congratulations to you for this most able
cle and I only wish that every dealer
|he United States could not only read it
but would give it careful study.
"Sincerely yours,
"VOSE & SONS PIANO CO.,
"(Signed) D. D. Luxton, Vice-President."
"Buffalo, N. Y M December 31, 1932.
"Mr. Walter L. Bond:—I have read
article with a great deal of interest. It is
full of sound reasoning, and has done much
to strengthen my interest in the possibilities
of the Weaver Look and Play Plan.
"Yours very truly,
"DENTON, COTTIER & DANIELS,
"(Signed) John F. Huber."
I
I
I
B
"Salisbury, Md., January 14, 1933.
"Dear Mr. Bond:—I received your letter
and read your article in reference to the
future of the piano retailer. I coincide with
L
14
"Elmira, N. Y., January 14, 1933.
"Dear Mr. Bond:—Your article is timely,
intelligent and I believe hits the nail on the
head. Piano merchants are prone to look
over the fence at the green grass in the
fields beyond instead of cultivating their
own business.
"Yours very truly, M. DOYLE MARKS."
MUSICAL ARTS CORP.
SHOWS NEW INSTRUMENTS
Many members of the local trade and
musicians visited the studios of Wm. Lewis
& Son, Chicago, January 11-12, to hear and
test a new musical device just patented and
manufactured by the Musical Arts Corp. of
Kalamazoo, Mich. The Musical Arts Co.
was organized and managed by Mr. Chester
L. Beach, formerly one of the owners of the
Bush & Lane Piano Co., Holland, Mich.
With him is associated Mr. Noel, who
demonstrated the instrument assisted by Mr.
Clarence Havenga of the Gibson Company.
The new device was a revelation of the
possibility of electrical energy in amplifying
tone. Mr. Noel called it a conrroller or am-
plifier. In it is used radio principles with
an easily adjustable dial to augment or
diminish tone. It is in a portable case of
hat box size and by means of a small cable
it gives any instrument to which it is at-
tached an amazing value without dictation.
The Gibson Co., of Kalamazoo, think so
well of the newcomer that all the Gibson
line of fretted instruments are arranged to
be used with it if wanted, and it is safe to
say that any professional musician who hears
it will want its aid, to fill a large auditorium
or even an open-air stadium. Other fretted
instrument makers who tested this device are
enthusiastic.
The Musical Arts Co. has in preparation
a number of other adaptations for pianos
and organs, and Mr. Noel made the im-
portant announcement that the company soon
will have ready for the market a complete
line (to be called the Chester L. Beach line)
of fretted and of stringed instruments, such
as the violin, viola, violoncello and double
bass.
lie towards the interest of pianos and last
January I found I could get started if I did
a conservative business. I felt the time was
ripe for an active piano store in this com-
munity and having the support of the ma-
jority of the teachers and music lovers
through my service for the past four years,
I ventured into it with full confidence. My
confidence has grown from day to day. With
all reverse circumstances of 1932 and it be-
ing our first year in business I am happy to
state that we showed a small profit. Is not
that convincing within itself?
"Yours very truly,
"LYRIC MUSIC STORE, By Otis W. Rose."
"Charlottesville, Va., January 14, 1933.
"Dear Mr. Bond:—First of all I want to
thank you for your message of inspiration in
regards to the present and future of the
piano business.
"A little over three years ago I consid-
ered going into the piano business but it
seemed my proposed partner got 'cold feet*
so to speak. As for myself, it has always
been my ambition and I guess I did not
have sense enough to give up the idea. The
results were, I continued to study the future
of the business and the reaction of the pub-
THE
MUSIC
"Asheville, N. C, January 2, 1933.
"Dear Mr. Bond:—I am writing to ac-
knowledge my personal heartfelt apprecia-
tion for your splendid article which I have
just read in the periodical known as the
Music TRADE REVIEW.
YOU unquestionably
stated facts. If all the piano manufacturers
would take that view of the situation it
would be a wonderful help and substantial
cooperation with all parties concerned.
"Very truly yours,
"(Signed) W. H. RYMER."
TRADE
REVIEW,
January,
1933