Presto

January 22, 1927.
WORN=OUT PIANO
HANDICAPS CHILD
Toneless Old Thumpbox Stunts Musical Prog-
ress of Youthful Student, Hinders Appre-
ciation of Good Music and Destroys
Interest in Learning to Play.
PRESTO-TIMES
would otherwise have a musical monstrosity wished on
them will be spared this injustice.
Burn Worn-Cut Pianos.
Burn the old piano! That is the only proper step.
The worn-out piano cannot justify l'ts existence from
the standpoint of music, appearance or the space it
occupies.
There are modern pianos now to fit the music
needs and the decorative treatment of every home.
Small pianos for the home or apartment of linrted
size; full-size uprights for the home where all the
members of the family are able to play by hand;
foot-expression pianos for the homes where some
members of the family piay by hand, some do not,
and children learning to play need the inspiration of
the world's best music; grand pianos, played either
by hand, by rol!-and-pedals or electrcally, for the
more discriminating homes.
The piano dealer and salesman today go out with a
full line—instruments that properly serve the needs of
any home. They can make the plea for the discard-
ing of the old piano and the modernization of the
home, musically, all the more potent and effective
because of what they have to offer.
USING REPRODUCING
PIANO IN MELODY WAY
Ideals and Principles of the Goup Piano
Instruction System Mrde Available to
Increased Number of Teacherc.
Simultaneously with the proposed campaign of
the piano manufacturer;) to promote group piano in-
struction in the schools of the country. W. CKto
M : essner, of the Miessner Institute, Milwaukee, Wis.,
and originator of the Melody Way system of class
piano instruction, is carrying into effect further pians
for making his ideas and principles available to an
Piano Playing Contests Being Promoted at All Points
increasing number of teachers.
Are Timely Occasions for Pleas to Discard
Several year,; of exper'ence in securing public
Worn-Out Ins'.ruments.
school adoptions of class piano instruction have dem-
By A. G. GULBRANSEN.
onstrated the fact that the teacher is perhaps the most
vital factor in the scheme. Class piano instruction
President Gulbransen Company, Chicago.
requires a special technique of the teacher, who,
A great piano playing tournament for children is
however, need not necessarily be an accomplished
going on in Chicago. Similar contest:-; are under
pian'st in order to teach successfully the elementary
way in a number of other cities. It Is hoped to de-
lessons of the course. Nevertheless, it is highly
velop musical talent through the healthy spirit of
important to the success of this plan that teachers
rivalry; to show that the ability to play the piano
be trained in this new branch of piano instruction.
makes life p!easanter; that it gives a distinct soc'al
In order to meet this need, the Miessner Institute
advantage, and is a real help to success in any chosen
has rent lecturers and demonstrators out into the
vocation. These are things pleasant to contemplate,
tied. Demonstration classes have-been orgatrzed in
but there is a discordant note when one thinks of
Incorporation of Ackerman & Lowe Piano the stores of represen'ative dealers, which, in niiny
the thousands of children receiving thei* musical trail-
cases, were followed by public school adoptions. It
Co., a Subsidiary of Big New Castle
ing on old, worn-out tone-less pianos.
soon developed that many teachers were unable to
Industry,
to
Aid
in
Results.
attend these local institutes of normal training, be-
Detriment Not New.
Articles of incorporation for the Ackerman & Lowe cause of the distance and difficulty in leaving their
The condition is not new; it lias always been with
us. But isn't there the opportunity now, \vi;h a'l the Piano Company, New Castle, Ind., a subsidiary teaching activities. Consequently, in response to the
concentrated attention on piano play : ng by children, company to the Jesse French & Sons Piano Com- demand from such teachers, the Ins.itr.ie developed
pany, in the same city, were filed last week at Indian- a correspondence course based on a teachers' manual
to replace many of these old pianos? Isn't there an
apolis. This company is a new organization, going of instruction, with written examination and subse-
entering wedge that will open the doors of many
under the name of an o'd concern which was dis- quent affiliation with the Institute, which has become
hones to modern pianos?
an important factor in the placing of teachers and
solved sometime ago.
Learning to play the piano or attempting to perfect
The purpose of the company will be to handle the for securhig teachers for normal centers for public
playing of a particular selection on a worn-out in-
strument are not according to the rules of the game. export business of the Jesse French & Sons Piano schools.
Company. At the present time there are three stock-
It has long been apparent to Mr. Miessner that, in
How can a child listen to a singing tone when there is
holders. E. G. Scotten, Kenneth May and Edna addition to the facilities already provided, a means
none? How can a child delicately shade a tone when
Conduitt. They are directors of the concern. The of local demonstration should be furnished. In the
the tune is flat and unmusical? How can a child
company was incorporated for 1.000 shares and there reproducing piano, he has seen an ideal means for
gain fin.ger dexterity if the keys are stiff, sluggish or
will be no outside stock, it is stated.
supplying this important factor in arous'ng the in-
poorly-balanced ?
The export department of the Jesse French & terest of teachers and of public school offic'als, for,
These things are enough to hand'cap any child,
whether there is a piano contest at stake, or not. Sons Piano Company this week explained that with specially prepared rolls for the reproducing
the incorporation of the Ackerman & Lowe Piano p:'ano it becomes possible to show, step by step, pre-
They stunt music progress, hinder apprec'ation of
Company, as mentioned in the incorporation notices cisely how the teaching material is presented to the
really good piano music, destroy a genuine, natural
in Presto-Times last w T eek, will take care of sales in children Consequently, w'th the assis.ance cf the
interest in learning to p 1 ay the piano.
certain territory and not include all cf the export reproducing piano, the teacher is now able lo foilow
The Dealer's Part.
the instructions in the manual and to hear the repro-
business.
Kvery dealer, every salesman, ought to get thor-
ducing piano actually play the ele r.entary pieces that
The
Jesse
French
&
Sons
Piano
Company
has
just
oughly into his m : nd that the use of old, worn-out
closed a very successful year in their export depart- constitute the course.
pianos represents an injustice to those who have to ment, and p'ans are under way to make 1927 even a
Dealers who are eager to become identified locally
play on them, those who have to listen tc them and
better year than 1926.
with the promotional plans, sponsored by the National
to the whole piano industry and trade. His mental
Mrs. M. Boyd, head of the export department, Piano Manufacturers and Nat'onal Music Merchants
attitude, his belief in what is for the best interests
states that during 1926 Jesse French pianos, players, .Associations, may provide themselves with the ma-
of a'l, should be sjch that he will be able to make
grands, electric players and reproducers were shipped terials consisting of pupils' sets, teachers' manual, set
an effective sales talk to every parent, every house-
into the following countries: Roumania, Japan, Aus- of instruction rolls and the dealers' manual contain-
holder who perm'ts a useless piano to remain in the tralia, Egypt, Canary Islands, Co'ombia, Peru, Java, ing complete instructions for inaugurating and con-
home.
Dominico Republic, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, duct'ng piano classes. With these materials they may
Italy, Venezuela, Argentina, Portugal, Poriugr.ese invite representative teachers to their stores to study
The dealer should be able diplomatically but firmly,
to impress on the mind of anyone who expects a big East Africa, Ecuador, China, Chile, Spain, Brazil, and :o become familiar with the materials and meth-
Denmark, Dutch West Indies, Hold Coast, Bolivia. ods used in group piano instruction. In other words,
allowance for a decrepit instru rent, that such a
Cuba, Greece, Honduras, Meruda Islands and Sou h by extending these services the dealer may become
thing is unfair and impossible.
an esseulial factor in the training of teachers.
He should be able to shame anyone who has a Africa.
Mr. Miessner has chosen the Ampico for his record-
worn-out piano and who is figuring on "donating"
it to a church, school, settlement house or poor rela-
The Plaut-Cadden Co. has remode ed its music ings and the Ampico Corn-ratkvi will issue h's rec-
ords within a month.
t'on, into destroying it instead, so that those who and furniture s'ore at Norwich, Conn.
iNOW THE OPPORTUNITY
TO INCREASE EXPORTS
OF JESSE FRENCH PIANOS
THE NEW BOWEN PIANO LOADER
is recognized as necessary equipment for piano dealers everywhere, and is invaluable to salesmen who work suburban and country
trade. One man is all that is necessary to load, unload or demonstrate an upright piano to a prospect. Small Grands may be hauled
on it as well as uprights. You can't afford to be without it. Send for particulars.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
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