Music Trade Review

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ing these classes. There is also an article on the care
of the piano by Chauncey D. Bond, formerly Presi-
dent of the National Piano Manufacturers Associa-
tion, and a man who took the initiative while holding
that position, to promote these Group Piano Lessons.
Due to the fact that it was found that it was imprac-
tical to hold Piano Workshops in a great variety of
cities, and also that there was created a great demand
for information regarding how to conduct these
classes, this book has been published. It is profusely
illustrated, showing classes in public schools and also
parochial schools, with a very vivid description of the
best methods to be pursued in making these classes
a success. A copy of this book should be secured by
every piano dealer in the country, who should in turn
see to it that the educational system in his town, in-
cluding the music supervisor of the public schools,
gets a copy also.
To Investigate Condition of School Pianos
S
EVERAL important promotional activities were
acted upon at the recent meeting of the Execu-
tive Committee of the National Piano Manufac-
turers Association, which should prove very beneficial
to the industry at large. A committee has been ap-
pointed to explore the condition of pianos in schools,
and various educational institutions, and to find out
how in many cases the deplorable condition of these
pianos may be improved or perhaps replaced by new
pianos. Another plan which was discussed was to
arrange to furnish blueprints and specifications for
making dummy keyboards so that the manual train-
ing classes in schools can prepare this equipment for
use in the music department where class piano is be-
ing taught. Such activities cannot help but bear fruit
in the right direction, and we trust that where it is
necessary that dealers will cooperate with these com-
mittees to disclose where these conditions prevail and
give every assistance in trying to correct them.
Pianos Not Under Regulation W.
W
E had a letter from a dealer stating that the
bank with which he has been doing business
had told him that an amendment had been
passed by the Federal Reserve Bank, placing pianos
and musical instruments under Regulation W, with a
maximum time limit on 18 months. We contacted
the Federal Reserve Bank in New York and found
that no such amendment had been published and that
pianos and musical instruments are not controlled by
Regulation W, and never have been since that regu-
lation was revived. We, therefore, urge any dealer
who has an experience of this kind to immediately
report the same to the Federal Reserve Bank nearest
to him. Television, radio and radio-phonographs do
come under Regulation W, and it may interest this
branch of the industry to know that the Federal Re-
serve Board has passed an amendment relaxing the
regulation by increasing the $50 exemption to $100.
Pressure for the relaxation was generated by organi-
zations in those fields most affected by the credit curbs
on account of the present sluggish pace of business.
According to a bulletin just issued by the National
Association of Music Merchants. Credit controls may
be relaxed further. This does not, however, apply to
pianos and musical instruments, both of which are
not affected by Regulation W.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, APRIL, 1952
Watch Television Expansion with Caution
T
HE decision of the Federal Communications
Commission to permit the opeing of 2,053 new
stations in 1,291 territories will naturally cre-
ate a great demand for television sets and other
equipment in areas heretofore untouched. It means,
of course, that many music merchants will be clam-
oring for lines to sell and a certain amount of plus
busines will eventually be done. From what we have
seen transpire in some of the leading piano salons in
the country where television has been sold we urge
all piano merchants to proceed with caution. Be sure
and get good standard lines to represent and particu-
larly watch the service angle which will be found
very important. We have seen some sad experiences
in both the merchandising of sets and servicing
which in many instances have resulted in some of
the most prominent piano dealers closing up their
television departments entirely and at a loss. As it
will be sometime yet before the new stations will be
established we advise dealers to make haste slowly
and consult other dealers in other territories as to
the best methods of procedure.