standard player monthly - Mechanical Music Digest

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"GOOD FRIENDS, and I have many such
W h o know me well, and like me much
To'introduce myself I first make bold.
I'm the Standard Elf with a tale untold.
A tale that is sparkling and thrilling with life
Of happy home hours, and battlefields of strife.
I teach the children to love and to know
The beauties of music that helps them grow.
And when the boys went overseas to fight
I comforted and cheered them in the "Y' hzcts at night.
For I am humun just like you;
I live and breathe and am happy, too,
My throat is the t r a c k bar, my pulse the valves,
The bellows are mighty strong lungs in themselves.
I have fingers, yes-88, 'tis true,
'That are slender and graceful when performing for you.
M y heart is right all men agree,
W h i c h c m e s from the t a t s required of me.
And now that we are introduced
Let's get together and produce
Results that come frMn understanding
Thoroughly the product that you are handling;
For I can help you and you can help me
And together some combination we'll be."
r+~kic?R
..
OCTOBER
1919
Vol. 4 No. 10
Contents copyrighted 1919 by Standard Pneumatic Action Co.
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3
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..... 57
The Standard E l f . . .
EBect:ve Window Displays..
~h~ communjty
~~~i~ league.
Princ:p!cs of Player Action OperationLecture No. a
New Player Actions in Old Planos.
....... 98
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.lo-11
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13
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........................... 1147 .
The Roosevelt Memorial Campaign
Our Convention Page..
Standard Growth
Music Cures Advertis~ng
War's 1:ls
Playerp~ano
Wsnt Ads
Queria and Answers.
................... 18
Effective Window Displays
HY is it that Borne window displays seem to stand out andcommand attention
while others are passed by unnoticed? Have you ever asked yourself this
question? Balesmen will flnd window advertising an interesting M well aa
profitable study.
A well dressed window is perhaps the best advertisement that a store can have.
We are guided, to a certain extent, by first impressions. A window may create a
pleasing impression that will result in an immediate sale or it may permit a possible
customer to pass on unimpressed. Outward appearances are important. We judge by
what we can see.
Some dealers think that if they can fill their windows with material, regardless
of arrangement, an effective display is assured. This is a mistake. The eye cannot focus on a number of things at one time. I t is better to try and center the attention on one particular object. This point is well illustrated with a story told
to me by a friend named Jones.
One very warm summer afternoon Jones walked down Broadway, New York
City. Several blocks had been covered when his attention was arrested by a small
white card in the window of a drug store. I t read something like this,
"ICE COLD GRAPE JUICE-STEP INSIDE AND COOL OFF."
That sounded logical, so he went in. Knowing the locality well I asked him
why he had not stopped at one of the several large ice-cream parlors that he had
passed before coming to the drug stcre. "That is the interesting point," he said.
"The card in the window made me stop."
That window produced results-it paid. The drug clerk verified this by saying
that many strangers had come into the store that day. The window card with its
friendly wording made many new patrons for the store.
The moral of this story is that there are millions of people just like Jones, who
read window 'cards and are possible custo';ners for playerpianos or player rolls.
Instead of wording your' little white card about grape juice, perhaps you might
-Give
a Thought to Music-
-Give
a Thought to MusicPage Three
say "Have you fopgotten to take home a few Player Rolls this week?"
I dare say that you will find some people
like Jones who have never
- entered your store before.
The most effective window from a business standpoint is one which makes you
see results that come from purchasing an article. Jones was uncomfortably warm.
The thoughts of cooling off persuaded him to buy. The primary motive for buying
anything lies in the result which the purchaser hopes to accomplish thru the article
bought. One thing is bought because its possession implies social prestige; another
because it promotes comfort or luxury; another because it saves time or lightens
labor--and so on down the list of human motives.
The dealer buys in terms of larger profit; the consumer in terms of health, self
improvement, or the gratification of tastes, senses, ambitions or personal hobbies.
These facts cannot be ignored when planning a window display, or, in fact any other
advertising designed to draw new business to your store.
If there are six other playerpiano dealers near your place of business how can
you make your store stand out most prominently? The answer to this question isby having the most effective window display. A little good-natured rivalry will produce g o d results.
There is nothing mysterious about advertising. I t is just the art of making
people feel that they cannot get along another hour without the product that you
we selling. Window advertising pays handsomely if proper thought is put into the
work. If you do not take advantage of your window, you might better do away
with it and put counters there so that yon may utilize the extra space.
Effective window advertising produces
results, it exposes your store to sales.
,
The Community Music League
HE effective work done by Government Song
Lcaders during the War caused Music t o be
recognized a s a necessity and no longer a
luxury. Communities adjacent t o Army Posts,
Navy Stations and Cantonments learned the value
of these Community Sings and other forms of
Community Ml~eic. The desire on the part of
many organizations to have such work extended
to other cities thruout America caused the formation of the Community Music League. This
League is guided by the following officers and Advisory Board: Mrs. David Allen Campbell, Pres.,
Mrs. Wm. A. Hinckle, Vice Pres., Mr. Elda A.
Boyer, Leader in Chief, Mrs. Phillip North Moore,
representing The National Council of Women,
Mrs. Frank Seiberling, representing the National
Federation of Musical Clubs, Mrs. W. D. Steele,
representing the General Federation of Womens
Clubs, Mr. Chau. N. Boyd, representing the
National Music Teachers Association, Dr. Hollis
Dann, representing National Music Supervisors,
Dr. Howard Clark Davis, representing Eaatern
-Give
Page Four
rq,
..
a Thought to Music-
Music S~~pervisors,
Mr. Frederick Schleider, representing Natior~nl Association of Organists, Mr.
Clifford Damerest, representing American Guild
of Orgnnists, Mr. C. M. Tremaine, representing
National Bureau for the Advancement of Music,
Mr. George W. Pound, representing Music Industries Chamber of Commerce.
It is the hope of the organizers t o be able to
make i t plain t l ~ a tthis is intended t o be a movement "of tlte people, by the people, and for the
people", the Leagve being a Federation of forces
for the Advancemen2 of Music and t o help eatablish Community Memorial Cerlters-the vital need
of the hour-where all forms of amusement, Community Singing, Opera, Oratorio, Recitals, Plays,
J ~ c t u r e s ,Concerts, et cetera, may flourish for a
cleaner, better community.
A Conlmunity Music League, with its Central
Organization t o promote and assist in this powerful economic and constructive community work, cooperating with Advisory Committees and Com(C?ontin?red on page 1%)
-Give
a Thought to Music-
Action Operation
The object of these lectures is to aesist dealers and salesmen ap well aa
tuners to seczcre a belter working knoec~ledgrof the operation of the player
action.
We have carefully Prepared tlrs lectures so that they will not be too
technical, but may emily be read rrnd understood by everyone. Salesmen will
be partic~rlnrly interested, because it will enable them t o answer qzrcsfiorrs
which ha~tenot been quite clear in the past.
Each ,rnotrth we rcill /rent on a differerct section of the player action.
Of course, it is mirrh rnore practical f o r ozrr readers to come and take the
thoro player uctiotr coirrse nt the Dartqzrard Player Action School, but f o r
those who find i t impossible to corns lo New Pork these lectures will prove
invaluable.
L,ecture No. 2-The
Valve and Pneumatics
AST MONTH we explained the working of
the bottom action and its functions. Now
t h a t we have the means of creating exhaust,
or to use the proper term, means of reducing the
air within the player action, which makes possible its operation, how are we to utilize these
results?
The main object of the player is to make a note
play without the aid of the human touch. I n
manually played pianos the power to make the
note strike comes from the force of the human
touch. With the aid of a small bellows, known
as a pneumatic, the same result is accomplished
in the player action. The valves, pouches, air
channels, etc., are all essential to the proper
working of the pneumatic.
L
W h y a Pneumatic Uollapses
Glance a t the pneumatic A as pictured in the
illustration. The extension on the movable leaf
l is connected with the flexible striking~finger by a wire. The wippen of the piano action rests upon
the capstan screw of the flexible striking finger
( a s pictured in the illustration). When the a i r
is reduced on the inside of the pneumatic, the
pressure of the outside air upon the movable leaf
of the pneumatic causes this leaf to rise, which
collapses the pneumatic, a s pictured in the illustration of pneumatic B. The collapsing of this
pneumatic raises the flexible striking finger which
in turn raises the wippen of the piano action and
causes the note to play.
But we must have some means of controlling
the opening and closing of the pneumatics. This
is accomplished by means of double valves a s
illustrated by the perpendicular primary valves
H, Y and the horizontal secondary valves, V, 2.
The opening and closing of these valves causes the
pneumatics to collapse and inflate respectively.
-Give
a Thought to Music-
What the Air Does
Now just a word of explanation about the
source of power that makes these valves open
and close. I n Lecture No. 1 we explained how
the a i r was reduced in the bottom action. When
the bottom action is connected with the top action
i t reduces the a i r in that unit also. By placing
a blank player roll over the tracker bar, and then
starting to pump, the a i r pressure within the
player action will be reduced t o about seven
pounds to the square inch.
When a perforation in the music roll opens a
channel in the tracker bar a i r rushes in and
then down the metal tubing to the primary
pouch chamber. You will remember t h a t the a i r
on the inside of the player action has been reduced t o seven poun!s
t o the square inch while
the outside air is about fifteen pounds to the
square inch. This inrush of a i r is caused by
the outside a i r trying to equalize with the reduced a.i r inside of the action. As air trying to
escape seeks the course of least resistance, pouch
dl is automatically blown upwards thereby lifting primary valve Y. To repeat this operation
i t is necessary to give the atmospheric air a
chance to escape from under the pouch, in order
may be allowed to
that the pouch M and valve
settle back to their former positions and be ready
for a repetition of the same note. This is done
by means of a vent, illustrated by R in the
diagram.
How t h e S'econdary Valve Operates
The lifting of primary valve Y creates another
opening, under the valve button. The second
opening is larger than the opening on the tracker
bar and i t permits more a i r to rush in, which
allows us to work a bigger pouch (secondary
pouch) and also a bigger valve (secondary valve).
-Give
a Thought to MusicPage Fire
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DARD PLAYER MONTHLY
W
C
W
The Valve and Pneumatic System in the Standnrd Player Action. For explanation study fke
Lecture on pages five and seven
-Give
a Thought to M u s i c
-Give
a Thought to
Music
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9
A$
.
Again the atmospheric a i r fieeking t o equalize the
pressure, rushcs in and down t h r u the connecting channel boards, called the L groove, into
the secondary pouch board chamber, where i t
meets a leather diaphragm o r pouch P, which is
pushed to the right, and this movement gives a
direct push t o secondary valve Z, opening same
as pictured in the illustration. When valve Z
opens i t connects the pileumatic with the reduced
a i r chamber thereby reducing tlie a i r within tlie
power pneumatic B. lie atmospheric air, being
heavier, causes the pneumatic to collapse and the
note to strike a s explained a t the beginning of
this lecture.
HOW t h e Secondary Valve "Bleeds"
It is necessary t h a t valve Z should resume i t s
normal position (aa illustrated in position of
valve P) to permit the opening of its pneumatic
immediately the end of the "note" is reached and
the perforations in the tracker bar closed. Therefore, the a i r must be allowed t o escape from the
secondary chamber-to the left of pouch P. Tliie
a i r "bleeds" o r escapes t h r u the corresponding primary valve which, when i t resumes its normal position, as in valve H, opens the channel around
its stem to the reduced a i r chamber below. T h e r e
fore there is establ-ished a direct channel from
this reduced a i r chamber under the primary
- valve
t o the secondary pouch chamber below.
The reduced a i r chambers illustrated in this
c u t are couuccted with the bottom action described i n last
mouth's issue t h r u the windt r u n k located a t the bass end of the piano.
Summary
Summing this u p in a few words, we find t h a t
a s the roll of music passes over the tracker bar
tlle perforations in the roll cause certain holes
t o be uncovered. Let u s emphasize a t t h i s time
t h a t each hole in the tracker bar h a s a corresponding primary pouch, primary valve, seconda r p pouch, secondary valve, pneumatic and flexible striking finger. There a r e also separate
channels for each note. The atmospheric a i r
ruslfes in t h r u this opening in t h e tracker bar
t o equalize with the reduced a i r inside of the
action and rushes down the metal tubing, pusl,
ing u p pouch 3J, causing valve Y to rise. T h a t
a i r has performed its duty a n d i t then becomes
valueless. It icl allowed t o escape t h r u vent R.
The rising of valve Y permits the atmospheric
a i r t o rush down t h r u the valve channel known
as the L groove into the secondary pouch, chamber giving a direct push t o pouch P which opens
valve Z as illustrated. This opening of the valve
connects the pneumatic with the reduced a i r chamber thereby reducing t h e a i r within the power
pneumatic, causing the notes t o strike a s explained before.
T h e next lecture will be on t h e Governor and Motor.
Standard Player Monthly.
This w i l l appear In t h e November
New Player Actions in Old Pianos
(Some good advtce reprinted from April, 1016 Issue)
w
lC receive numerous letters from dealers,
tuners and others asking .for prices on
tlie Standard Player Action t o be installed
in regular upright pianos-l~sually the piano referred t o being a n old-timer t h a t someone is a &
tached t o for sentimental reasons.
The Standard action is not adaptable to old
pianos. It is made as a n intrinsic p a r t of the
instrument and therefore must necessarily be sold
only t o piano makers who produce the case, or
outer shell, to conform t o the player action. \Ire
always consider t h a t a n y second-hand straight
piano i s not worth bothering with by attempting
t o convert i t into a player. At first glance i t
looks feasible and t o be a legitimate means of
profit t o tuners and dealers, a t the same time
providing the owner with something he longs for
a t less outlay, but practice has proven the r e ~ u l t
to he just t h e opposite-in
fact, the proposition
is unquestionably more e ~ p e n s i v e for both the
dealer a n d purchaser, not only on account of the
-Give a Thought to Music-
mechanical difficulties t h a t must be surmounted,
but for the reason t h a t in the end both the dealer
and the purchaser a r e dissatisfied with the results
from a n artistic standpoint. It is a n absolute
mechanical impossibility to p u t a player action
in a n ordinary upright in t h e proper manneri e., with the music roll operating in the center
of t h e top frame, t h u s being directly in line of
vision, with sufficient space for the spool box.
This space is never less than four a n d one-half
inches from the inside of the frame t o the front
of the hammer mil. Therefore if a n action in
crowded into such a piano case, the spool box
must be s e t fnr u p in t h e t o p of the frame, with
the top moulding r u t out, and t h e appearance of
the case distorted in other ways.
From a n economical standpoint, i t is infinitely
better t o arrange for the prospect to t r a d e in the
old piano and get a new one.
, Generally speaking. there i s little, if anything,
left of the old affair except sentiment and the
-Give a Tllought to MusicPage Seven
halo, a n d once tho old instrument i s out of t h e house a n d a
new player installed, i t i s sure
t o give t h e customer much more satisfaction-provided the dealer sells him the right kind of a
player. I n doing this, the dealer makes the sale
of a piano and e player action, instead of simply
a player action of doubtful value. Tlie owner
of the new player immediately becomes a n advertisement for the dealer and helps wonderfully
t o find new prospects. Tlle dealer sllould convince the owner of the old piano t h a t a new and
op-to-date playerpiano would be more profitablg in
the long run, even if he gave the old instrument
1
The Roosevelt Memorial Campaign
MMEDIATELY after the death of Theodore
The active president of the Association is
Colonel William Boyce Thompson of New York.
t r y a demand for a memorial t o this ardent William Loeb, Jr., who was secretary t o Colonel
patriot and great man. It seemed t o be the Roosevelt when he was Governor of New York,
opinion of people of every class and interest t h a t and went with him in a like capacity t o the
while his place in history was assured, and his White House, is vice-president; and Albert H.
place in the hearts of his countrymen could Wiggin, chairman .of the Board of Directore of
never be lost, there sllould be erected, without
the Chase National Bank, New York, is treas11oss of time, a memorial t o express the a f f ~ c urer. Among their associates on the Executive
tion in which he was held and t o perpetuate for
the benefit of future generations the ideas and Committee are two Governors, J a m e s P. Goodrich of Indiana, and R. Livingston Beeckman of
ideals for which he stood.
The result of this demand was the formation Rhode Island; T. Coleman d u .Pant, Herman
of the Roosevelt Nemorial Association, with Hagedorn, Jr., wllo wrote , t h e "Boys' Life of
headquarters at No. 1 Madison Avenue, New York Hozisevelt"; George Harvey, of Harvey's Weekly;
City, a non-partisan organization in the creation K i l l Ti. Hays of Indiana; Mrs. Medill McCorof which personal friends of the late ex-President mick, wife of the United States Senator from
took the lead. This Association met in March Illinois; Gifford Pinchot, Elilru Root, Henry L.
and decided by formal vote t o conduct a cam- Stimson, Luke R. Wright a n d Major General
pnign t o raise $10,000,000 by popular subscrip- Leonard Wood.
The campaign for the fund t o establish the
tion t o erect in Washington, seat of the Government and scene of Colonel Roosevelt's most im- memorial will be held in every s t a t e during the
portant labor for the public good, a national meek of October 20-27, and will be directed from
memorial monument; a n d t o create a t Oyster Bay, the ofices of the Association; a t 1 Madison Avehis home for so many years, a park which may nue, New Yrjrk.
ultimately include his estate of Sagamore Hill,
Every penny subscribed for the memorial fund
t o be preserved like Mount Vernon and the will go into the fund, a s generous personal
Lincoln home a t Springfield.
friends of Colonel Roosevelt have undertaken to
The officers of the Roosevelt Memorial Aasocia- defray all the. expenses incidental t o the camLion include men a n d women of national reputa- paign. No effort will be spared t o reach every
tion, friends and associates of Roosevelt from American who mould like to be repreeented, be i t
all over the country and from all walks of life, by ever so small a contribution in the making
Beading the list, as honorary presidents, a r e ex- of a memorial t h a t will be commensurate with
President T a f t and Charles E. Hughes, former the achievement of Mr. Roosevelt and t h e wideGovernor of New York. Two United S t a t a Sen- spread esteem a n d affection in which he was
ators a r e among the honorary vice-presidentsheld thruout his country. It is, in fact, the
Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts and Hiram hope of the Association t1:at the number of conW. Johnson of California-as a r e John Mitchell, tributors t o the fund will be a gratifying index
the labor leader, A. T. H e r t of Kentucky and of the hold he had on the affections of AmerJohn T. King of Connecticut.
icans, north and south a n d east a n d west.
I Roosevelt, there sprang u p a11 over the coun-
I
t
ti
;>
i
t o a poor relation.
To attempt t o make a n ordinary upright piano
over into a playerpiano is about like taking an
old skirt and attempting t o make a s h i r t waist
o u t of it. Ask the ladies if t h a t can be done!
There is almost as much difference between a
piano a n d a playerpiano a s there is between a
buggy a n d a n automobile. W h a t success would
you have if you took the family surrey a n d tried
t o p u t a n automobile engine in i t ?
Don't tell people they can make playerpianos
out of their old pianos. Discourage t l ~ eidea. Sell
the complete playerpiano a s a u n i t for the satisfaction will eventually return t o yourself.
-Give
d d g e
Eight
a Thought to Music-
--Give a Thought to Music-
I
STANDARD PLAYER MONTHLY
HY not hold cottcention discrsssions ottce a month instead of once a
year? This p a ~ eis the forum of the player salesman, the trmer, the
repairman and lhe manufactsrcr. It will appear montlrly and will
s e w e as the medimt for the exchange o f ideas on any phase o f ihe player
business. W e invite every render to cotrtribute to this page. Y o u don't have
to be a Shakespeare to give us your ideas. I f you are a very busy marr,
simply jot down yorcr idens and let a s insert the Shakespearian language.
Write on brrt one side.of a sheet of paper. W i t h your help this will always
be one of the most interesting departments of the Standard Player Motrthly.
Tuner's Duties
B y Ohas. E. 1Cichardspn
HAVE pften wondered how many tuners
realize t h a t they have a duty when working
for a firm. I have noticed t h a t many tuners
seem t o think t h a t when they get their tuning
orders for outside work, all t h a t they have t o
do is t o find the house where the piano needs
attention, walk in, tune it, etc., say "good bye,"
and then "beat it" t o the ncxt customer. B u t
there is something more than just getting a
piano in order. I always felt t h a t altho I was
merely told t o go out and tune or "fix" a n
instrument, i t was also u p l o me t o help keep
the good-will of tbe customer for the firm which
I worked for.
F\Tine times out of ten, the person who owns the
piano t h a t the tuner is sent out t o look after,
asks the tuner what hc thinks about it. They
want t o know if i t is a good instrument. I s i t
worth a s much a s they paid for i t ? How about
the tone quality? And the action? And other
things. The owner takes a sort of a pride in
himself thinking t h a t he has made such a good
trade. You know yourself, if you make some sort
of, trade, i t does not make you feel good t o have
someone come along and show you where you
T h a t is the way with most
have been "stuck."
piano owners. To have a tuner show them t h a t
they have bought a hum instrument, altho i t
may be the truth, gives them a sort of grudge
against the too honest tuner, which is detrimental
t o him. The better feeling the tuner can leave
with a customer, the hetter reports will come
back t o the boss. Isn't i t better t o have the
customers send into the warerooms t o have their
pianos tuned, and ask for Mr. (your name), the
tuner who tuned the piano last, a s "he did a
fine job?" No matter how well your work may
I
-Give
a Thought to Music-
be, brother tuners, i t is t h e good impression
which the customer gets which counts in the end.
And. i t all comes back t o the boss, finally. And
i t is the boss who counts when a n advance comea
along.
W h a t Shall Tuners Charge?
D
B?j Blaoe A. diorris
IFFERENT tuners have most variable
prices for the same work in the same
towns and rural districts. Some tuners
will tune a piano and do e s t r a s for $1.50, while
others will charge $4 t o $5 for tuning, and also
get a n extra $2 or $3 for other work. It appears t o
me t h a t such varying charges work detrimentally
t o the public, dealer, tuner and manufacturer.
If the owners know they can have their pianos
"tuned" f o r $1.50, of course, they will never expect t o pay more whether the work be A-1 o r not.
The other tuners, charging from $4 t o $5 with
pay for extras, will be classed a s robbers and
thieves, and in some instances a s "better tuners."
With esorbitant charges, people, especially in the
rural districts, probably neglect having their
piano tuned until after several years' use. In
the low price instnnce the tuner is not getting
ordinary day laborer's pay which would hardly
provide him, after a life time of hard labor
with a set of piano tuner's tools. The tuners who
charge escessively retard the wheels of progress
for work and spoil many sales for new playerpianos.
It also looks a s if the repairman will have t o
decide what constitutes a "tuning." As Mr. Funk,
of Lancaster, Ohio, said in your last issue of the
Player Month!!],
many piano owners think t h a t
tuning a n d all repairs and adjusting a r e simply
"just piano tzlning." If a person buys a player-Give
a Thought to MusicPage Nine
'
&tiion.
k
f o o mthe
little Acorn
I
f~ Date
.
'11
F Demand
for
T h i s Increasing Demand Means
the S t a n d l r d A c t i o n is popular with Playerpiano
-That
p~rchasers;
-That
y o u will always find it easy t o sell a Playerpiano
with a Standard Action;
-That
t h e 200,000 pleased owners of o u r A c t i o n are enthusiastic boosters f o r the Playerpiano.
T h e f o u r t h "good reason f o r insisting on the Standard
A c t i o n spells "Service.
O u r Advertising Department
would like t o help y o u increase y o u r sales.
.
9
q*
"50,000 Actions f o r 1920'' is our new Slogan
STANDARD PNEUMATIC ACTION CO.
638 West 52nd Street
New York City
couragemellt and a s I said then, and ever since,
the real t r u t h is "There is lots of room a t the
top." I then worked for this company nine years,
a n d have now been in t h e business for myself for
22 years.
Now, what I want t o say t o t h e young tuner is
this--while working never have in mind how mucli
money you expect t o realize out of the job. But,
let your whole thought be "How
do
this particular work." I n other words, i t i s f a r
more important t o do the work well than i t is t o
r ~ c e i v e5.5.00 o r $50.00 for it. With this in miEd
the money end will soon t a k e care of itself. Learn
to love your work.
Many times a t the beginning of my business
when things mere not very encouraging my friends
Advice to the Young Tuner
OME 25 years ago i t dawned upon me to would say, "You a r e a fool to stick t o this." But
become a piano and organ tuner. ~t was this only made me more determined t o succeed.
My belief was t h a t "right could not fail."
So,
while teaching music in a country dietriot
young man, don't lose heart.
in Pennsylvania.
NOW another thing, last b u t not least-learn
A t times a key in a pupil's piano or organ
would stick or give other trouble and being of a how t o work. Many times I worked until so tired
mechanical t u r n of mind, I would attempt t o ilx 1 felt I would never get rested. S o for the last
20 years I have learned how t o work and if I
i t and mostly successfully.
I remember well one day taking a tuning pin find myself getting nervously exhausted I q u i e
out of my old square piano after nsking the black- go fishing for a day or walk in t h e country. There
smith in our village to make me a tuning hammer. is nothing like the country and Pure air. The
It was indeed a crude affair and I still have i t in next day I go back t o work refreshed. No one
can do good work if nervously exhansted. I wish I
my possession.
well-I
tuned a t i t for three days and finally had learned this lesson early in m y business. It
is most important for a tuner t o .be in perfect
made i t so bad t h a t I was compelled t o send t o a
distant city for a tuner t o set things right. I health. E s ~ e c i a l lin~ these days of ~ l a ~ e r ~ i a n o s ,
watched him tuning i t and i t made me determined. . which require such careful thought.
Finally I made a t r i p to Philadelphia, and
If all actions were like t h e "Standard," we
called on some of the managers of the music stores wouldl have comparatively a n easy time of it.
for advice and encouragement. A t the first place Never In the history of the world h a s a n y comI called, the manager said t o me, "There are lots pany gone t o ao much trouble t o help the young
of tuners in Philadelphia now who a r e nearly tuner. The R t n d a r d Pla?/er A f n n t h l ~ and "Sign
starving in the business." Others said practically of Qualitu Catalog" a r e such valuahle helps t h a t
I - personallv have
the same.
"He who runs may read."
B u t I a t last came t o one who gave me real en- devoured every word, and i t has proved invaluable.
piano he don't expect to g e t
rolls enough f o r a year or two,
bench, repairs, music cabinet
a n d all f o r t h e price of the instrument. If a n
a u t o owqer buys a tube he i s not given a tire.
S o with all business. A tuner i s selling his time
and skill a n d should command a reasonable
recompense f o r same.
Would suggest t h a t a l l tuners, older and
younger, get together in the different states, discllss the unfair metllods obtaining and resolve
to make ,,barges more equitable and just for
piano and playerpiano owners; also decide what
eonstitUtes a 4 ltuningu and legitimate charges
for all extras.
S
'
The Community Music League
(Continued from page 4)
munit? ?fiisic Committees t h a t believe in Music as
a KECESSITY and a magazine, Community Music
Service, to reflect the work carried on as suggestive
for other communities t o insure the rapid spread of
thc best in mnsic in all i t s forms, seems very
necessary. J t is intended t h a t an Advisory Committee composed of City and County Authorities,
Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Board of
Eth~catioil, 3fusical Clubs and Unions, Choirs,
Music Stores, Music Industries, Department
Stnres. Fnrtories, J~odges. J ~ b o iUnions, Men's
Clnbs, IVomcn's Clubs, Piiblic Schools, Churches,
Civic Associations, the Salvation Army, Y. M. C.
.
'
-Give
Page Twelve
a Thought to Music--
A., Y. W. O. A., the K. of C., Jewish Welfare Association, the Rcd Cross, W a r Camp Community
Servicc, Boy Sconts, American Legion, kt cetera,
is to be formed in every city a n d village, these
to reach out and touch every avenue of interest.
This largc Advisory Committee would be unwieldy as a working Committee, therefore, the
plan is for Community Music Committees of three
to function with the Advisory Committee as Working Committees.
Don't forget t h a t fewer sales mean larger selling
coats on each sale.
The merchant who doesn't get the biggest percentage of cash o u t of his sales today t l ~ a the ever
got is not a good merchandiser.
-Give
a Thought to Music-
Music Cures War's I1
The following article appeared in the A'ew Yorlc ''sun'' recently. I t suggests one of the many
reasons rohy music is so essential to the human race. Probably nothing will smooth out tangled nerves
so efficaciously a8 a hall.hour a t the playerpiano. T b therapeutic value of t b player t o the brain
worker after a strenuous day is undoubtedly considerable.
IIE latest modern science thrust into prominence by the needs of war is musico-therapy,
which utilizes the curative values of rhythm
and harmony. Such amazing results have been
obtained in this field that Colombia University haa
placed the study on its curriculum.
Miss Margaret Anderton, a piano instructor,
who I1a8 been studying the healing forces of musia
since she was eight years old, has charge of the
course, which, according t o the university's announcement, i s designed primarily for tl!ose interested in the reconstruction of invalided soldiers,
particularly the blind, deaf and shell shock sufferers.
Miss Anderton has conducted a number of experiments with wounded soldiers in Canadian hospitals. Canadian and English officers were s k e p
tical, but she p e r s u ~ d e dthem t o give the idea a
trial. Hcr first subject was a n elderly English
officer, who was blind and a bit stubborn. He met
her with the phrase:
"You can't make me do w h a t I don't want
to do."
The next day she appeared with a n autoharp,
playing a n old English ballad. She then placed
the instrument in the hands of the soldier, whose
greeting wns none too cordlal. She drew hie hands
several times across the strings and then left him
alone. Miss Anderton visited him every day
during the treatment and played for him, sensing
the chords and rhythms t o which he responded.
The music proved to be a good tonic, for he lost
his despondency and is now earning $28 a week
a s a piano tuner.
T
USES SPECIAL INSTBUMENTS
Miss Anderton uses special instruments for
special disorders and a careful study of the medical history of each patient precedes her treatment. She endeavors t o bring the vibrations of
music a s nearly as possible t o the damaged tissue.
She "treats" gassed men with singing lessons so
a s to exercise the lungs, and to-deaf men she
gives drums. As a n experiment she gave a cello
t o a Canadian with a paralyzed arm, placing the
bow in his useless hand and m o v i ~ ~i gt back and
forth until she aroused his interest. She also tells
of a soldier who had served a large gun for many
hours a n d suddenly left to deliver a message to
a n officer. When he tried t o speak he could not
utter a sound.
Miss Anderton also cured a shell shock victim
who was disheart.ened and discouraged because
he had been left with a n impediment of speech.'
-Give a Thought to Music,
,
a
The application of the new science worked wonders, she says, for he has never stuttered since. In
the case of a man whose ear drum had been injured by concussion the instructor played loud,
deep chords, talking in a natural voice. Strange
to say, the man heard her perfectly. The vibration so stimnlated his damaged ear t h a t i t was
able t o receive sounds ordinarily inaudible.
SECRET OF HER SUCCESS
Miss Anderton says t h a t she is only at the
threshold of the possibilities in her iield a n d offers music t o the medical profession as a medicine
which can be administered either a s a n opiate or
stimulant.
"Every man has a musical pitch t o which he
will respond," she says.
Musical vibrations, she asserts, affect the circulation of the blood, just a s acutely as discordant
tones affect one's enr.
"Just a s the vibrations of light and sound affect the eye and ear," Bliss Anderton says, the
vibration of music affects the physical body. Man,
whether he is a musician o r a bricklayer, h a s a
minor o r major key. The secret is simple. I find
this key and Ileal him with t h e variety of music
for which 1 think his temperament calls."
Mies Anderton explained t h a t her curative pome r s hang on a subtle psychologic thread and her
natural instinct for harmony. I n England as a
child, she said, she played in churches and for
the entertainment of soldiers and sailors. On one
occasion, after a concert, she was improvising on
the piano and suddenly broke into Schumann's
When she looked u p she found a
"Traumerei."
red rose on the piano and a n elderly man whom
she had never seen looking down a t her. She
noticed tears in his eyes and gazed a t him.
"Child, your muslc!" he said simply.
Since then she has been continually studying
the effect of music on t h e mind a n d body.
This IS the Best "Contribution"
Ntandnrd Player Monthly, N. Y. City:
Dear sirs: We playermen ought t o be expected
t o make a liberal contribution in support of your
most effective playerpiano propaganda.
I enjoy a n d appreciate your magazine. The
lack of interest and knowledge of the playerpiano
among the dealers and salesmen t h a t I know indicates the mngnitude of your task in their departments, while the questions from tuners answered
in your magazine show t h a t the playerpiano i s
still a mechanical mystery t o some of them.
Succl-ss t o you.
Respectfully yours, J. W. H.
-Give
a Thought to Music-
Page Thirteen
.
Playerpiano Advertising
I
previous articles on playerpiauo advertising,
we have endeavored t o bring vividly before
tho -dor
tho
--nor
in ~ ~ ' l i wtho
h playor-
piano appeals to people of all ages and classee.
We have gone very little into the technical preparation of advertising matter. Rather we have
endeavored to place the reader in a position where
he can visualize the mental attitude of the "man
in the streetn a s regards the playerpiano. We
have endeavored to show the great possibilities in
building player business when the people a r e given
the reasons why they should own playerpianos.
the
roll should not be just a s important in the playerpiano business a s the talking machine record is in
tho talking zzaachirn~busirnwa
,Pad t
h of our
dealer readers who handle talking machines know
how important the record businese is t o them.
B u t u p to t h e present time there has been no
extensive national advertising of player rolls and
therefore i t is of great importance t h a t the dealer
sllould advertise player rolls and, of course, if
he is going t o advertise he should give careful
consideration to the manner of utilizing the
apace to get the hest results.
The experience of the few dealers who have
advertised player rolls with some measure of s u e
cess is t h a t the advertising of timely hits produces the very best investment. It
not
particularly
The playerpiano
word-roll--opens u p another vista of remunerative
advertising possibilities which has been utilized
merchants' And there are what the dealer may think about these things.
but very few
many bright merchandisers in this business who If he is
of a musician himself, he
the very best ways to
contend that One
very liable t o find himself possessed of an almost
tise the playerpiano is to advertise the player roll.
of
uncontrollable desire to force better
The use of the proper type and i t s display to music on hie customers.
the best advantage is nothing but the mechanical
This is illustrated in the tendency of many
part
advertising the P ~ ~ Y An
~ ~ P ~dealers
~ ~ t o ~send' out a large proportion of
tising man may know all about type and may be rolls with newly purchased playerpianos. The reaa past master in the mechanical utilization of son the dealer does this is because he
has
white
but
he studies the
and
learned to appreciate these rolls, either because
wherefores of the playerpiano field, his knowl- of his education as a
or because of his
edge of the technic of advertising will prove of long experience witll the playerpiano and he ie
small use t o him 8' a ~ " ~ e ' ~ i a n 0adverti'er.
genuinely anxious to see his
interest
say.
to know what
I t is of first
themselves in better music rather than in the
Then i t i s time to determine the way t o say i t somewhat abhorred
best. T h a t is why in these advertising articles
lIowever, advertising space in the daily newswe a r e laying the greatest
the PsY- papers ie not the place to educate the people to
cholom of ~ l a ~ e r ~ i aadvertising1
no
a s i t Were.
a n appreciation of the better
~t
The player 1-011 offers the retail n~erchant a n actual contact with the playerpiano t o do that
article of merchandise the like of which he
and something else of a more subtle naturethan
never had before unless, perchance, he carries also a display advertising. In most instances a wellstock of sheet music o r small instruments o r both. nold playerpiano will work ollt its own
Tt offers him a n article which he can offer t o the in this regard, particlllarly if t h e dealer h m an
public in terms of cents instead of terms of d01- adequate service department in the scheme of
Iars. As was clearly set forth in the editorial by wl~ichthere is some good advice and instruction
Mr. Johnston in the June issue, player rolls give provided for the owners of newly purchaeed
the merchant a medium for obtaining the "trade"
players.
of one who has established initial relations with
And then, a f t e r all, a man buvs a playerpisno
the house in the purchase of a playerpiano. I n primarily t o get pleasure o u t of it, and not as
other words, i t offers him a n opportunity t o sell a n edurational feature. It provides him with 8
his customers articles month a f t e r month instead musical education all right, but t h a t is not why
of once in ten years and once in a lifetime. It he bnps the instrument. He wants t o get his
places him in the same class with venders of fun out of i t and records prove t h a t the majority
other small articles who make small sales a t fre- of people get more fun out of the timelv hits than
quent intervals, usually for cash--sales t h a t in out of any other class of music. And furthermore,
the course of a Year may run UP t o large f i ~ r e s , the very fact t h a t these hits a r e timely gives
but when purchased in small lots a t frequent them an advertising value t h a t is not possessed
intervals are easily paid for.
by the old classics which live forever. It inject8
the element of up-to-dateness 'in advertising t h a t
There i s no reason in the world why t h e player
-Give
Page Fourteen
a Thought to MIIS~C-
--Give
a T h o u g h t t o Music-
ie ao valuable C the man who is paying for the
apace.
T h e advertiser of player roll8 talks not only
to the ownere of playerpianos, but he is also talking the instrument t o those who do not own playerpianoe at all. When a mercliant advertises half
a dozen timely song-rolls he is, by suggestion,
ndvertising the playerpiano, for he is telling
everyone t h a t t h r u the medium of the instrument
P l a y e r roll advertisingshould
by n o means be confined t o the
newspapers only. E v e r y dealer
should ;se the mails to-send player roll advertik
ing literature to those who purchase playerpianos
from him. He should, also consider every player.
piano owner, no matter of whom t h e instrument
was purchased, as a legitimate roll prospect t o
be secured t h r u the sending of bulletins a n d other
Music in Your Home is
Proof of Well-Spent Leisure!
a
'I value
H E Inan o l fine vtrton. \\'arhtngtan Irving. d t d
t h ~ sd e l ~ o a r rhIccltng as one 01 the rhoirnt galh a parent
ktow..
A ymns m3n or young w m a n ad I n wch dn ~ t m ~ l t c r t ,
wblrh nmpltei rclincment and mental iulrurc . ~ n dr U ~ t t m~ n d
h ~ u l ~ lth~ngc
ul
I- d thouland ttmrs hettcr l i t t d 10 takn' an h.,noi
.~blzplace tn thr vorld than mt l o whom ~ h c\turd 'honk.' 0:. .ln
empty phrrr-a
ilwptng p l ~ c rmcrely on the road 411 wn.utt~m
and o u l r 1 4 ~
aniusmwnt
~
To b. 11I
.
head ul r home whew Love and H n m n y and
Happlnar i l t enthroned. where the young people 6nd t l t r ~ rgrcdt.
joy: and uhrre l r ~ r n &d d ~ g hto
l bc ~nvtted.I S AN ACHIEVEM E N T I n planntng the ~dealh m . remember lbrl XlUSlC 15
YOUR GR E A T S T ALLY
11
II
'
,.-
--
-Her .vm Cu
.
nee,
wwm
~ n r Tbm.sr.
r
v.-1"
em ,he Far-
DO NOT LOOK UPON MUSIC AS AN EXPENSE- IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN
EDUCATION, IN REFINEMENT. IN HOME ATTRACTIVENESS--IN CHARACTER-AN INVESTMENT THAT KEEPS CHlLDREN AND FRIENDS
NEAR YOU AND PREVENTS MANY A HEARTACHE
11
New Rolls That Are Helping to Put Music on the Map
S e n Cay P m ) . the rutha hasclnnbad ckar an ol lk u u p m t m
mpoh. \Vriting with the x r y rwl of T v p r h o r r in t b light ol
t h k.-b
k h u brought out the kl mg-one-lep of
Ihe n m t h I t owith a rv.m Imm Chwin's lvncnl mrch
of rytxop.tion. md &ding vith a wcwd
b m h g into a &Id
c w that rill rnkr3Lplcr turn r vlmmnrult m h
. plvc
a la 01 fun out d tbs rmurl;abk number
Yar'll
h u l i l u l u a tmllu ol sweet pu and u rollickmg nr
pm& lob I. the 4 - l o x - l m . JAZZ BABY I f you rant tune
that c k l l litcnlh u k c ymr Irlcds by their mul vrvK r r d mkr
them W whether t h y vttl ot no, gel t h i Ianlaluing numhr
hr -no mran1 tu &ncr rhythm than m lruh mlkm e
n
c
a
u
M
k ~ utll
p whm the fiddkn saikc up an Irish jig
An u n d c ~ n gof n d n a m t k n l t r hlhd SOME DAY I'LL
hlAKE YOU GLAD. h a l h a m equula s w w n a . tnlo ismu uric
Touched by a m*tr p t h NUwalu rhythm aptnnta the lorn
sf the dramy tn bllroom rKrcla Thu cr~ppmgnunlbrr u un.
qulumably onc d the mmth'? bst oKermg#
A ,Wlneu that I Y M 10 WV) Ihe P m Y 01 the hth lnnd
u Imnd m t b brlkd LIFE AND LOVE Fmm the pn 01 WNThis
l i k V h x Hcrben we hrr kamd l o m the un-l
big htt I r w 'The Velm L d y . ' Herbut's hleu RW YOrk m~eg
r lulb up lo h h hidull Urndud I t rill be hard m many concm mperiaua. and rill add llngnna lo p%r an m l h n h
Fw thcrt=:.orn lhut am who luw na mmd r kuJlmg
acumpn~msltto A l J h ' r vmm AND THAT AIN'T ALI.
We are .rk m syimg thrl it u one d the h k a n hits that are
krrping A1 m the b c k of lame thh vrrm And now we ham it
la you wth all ol m m w ~ a<bum
l
m d humorow n t m t m
You who found f w i n l and nvrrrv tn ' H a g K a g " and
Thmg Chong" rill -&om 4 t h o p n n n m b m l d W e b ' h t l
mntributh u, lh k i o 01 orlenul rhythm CHONC When
0th number i. being p h d 11 w i l l n u m i r e ~h.mmgmrtm 01
haue d
a Danw lo -11
the l h n t punkaich dam m the
t b &of m b
Men *M.h,p o w a l i t y . -hlh
in r n w ~ I n HOW YA
GONNA KEEP Ebl DOWN OR THE F\RN I A l t n Thry'w
Now one deuler calls attcnlron to
.
.-
D1~11~~li11s
are setit out each month.
At the bottom o f the bulletin is a list o f the new player rolls
IPU
r t ~ l Irrrs.
l
mtul the song-rolls he can play and eing the particu!ar selections mentioned.
Automobile manufacturers realize t h e advantage
in advertising to tlie public the pleasure t h a t can
be had out of a motor car. Hence, we note t h a t automobile advertisere picture a car carrying joyfullooking passengers on a country road with beautiful scenery in the background. T h a t r i g l ~ taway
carries the thought to the reader t h a t if he had
r machine he could see t h a t beautiful scenery.
S o i t is with tlie advertising of player rolls. It
immediately saggests t o the non-owner of a plaverpiano t h a t if he had an instrument he could play
and enjoy those selections t h a t a r e advertised.
-Give
a Thought
to
Music-
arrrrrlur
effective player roll advertising literature.
One successful western house, which is doing a
business of perhaps forty o r fifty playerpianos a
month, sends monthly a little, inexpensive single
sheet folder, bearing a cartoon o r two apropos of
a couple of the month's timely hits. I n connection therewith there is also printed descriptions
of t h e rolls in easy conversational style. Tliese
sheets, which a r e cut t o t h e size of a n ordinary
business letterhead, a r e mailed every month t o
all playerpiano owners whose names and addresses
a r e in t h e possession of the houee.
Of course, the names of those who have pur.
chased playerpianos from this house immediately
-Give
a Thought to
M u s i c
Page
Fifteen
PLAYER MONTHLY
m'
-
go into these records. I n addition a list of playerpiano owners is constantly added t o t h r u
the records of the tuning department, a s well a s the
records of the player roll department. Salesmen
are also instructed t o add t o this list the names
of all player owners t h a t they meet in their outside work.
Most dealers who a r e in the roll business at all
a r e utilizing t o a greater o r lesser degree the
postal facilities for the dissemination of player
roll literature. Too few of them, however, a r e
using,the daily newspapers, a n d i t is the proper
utilization of space in these effective mediums
t h a t holds great possibilities not only for increasing the sale of player rolls, but also for increasing
the playerpiano business t h r u the roll advertising.
We trunt the time is not f a r distant when all
the leading daily newspapers, on o r about the
first of the month, will contain word-roll advertisements featuring the leading hits in the bulletins of t h a t month. We know of no form of
publicity t h a t will provide greater returns for
the merchant who i s giving the proper attention
t o the playerpiano business and who is conducting
a well-ordered and well-stocked player roll department.
We must always remember t h a t the owner of n
playerpiano who does not replenisli his player
roll stock a t fairly frequent intervals is not getting adequate returns in pleasure o c t of the
money he has invested in his instrument. And
every owner of a playerpiano who is purchasing
new rolls and thereby getting an adequate amount
of pleasure out of his instrument, is a vital force
in the creation of new player and new player
roll business. So t h a t anything which increases
the use of player rolls, really increases the activity of the playerpiano business from top b
bottom.
As t o the value of the word-roll a s the medium
for a large share of player roll advertising, we
refer again t o the editorial of Mr. Johnston in
the J u n e issue, entitled "Business Builders." That
editorial sets forth the reason why the word-roll
is the most popular roll today and offers the
greatest possibilities a s a medium for increasing
the roll business and the playerpiano business.
-
,
-
Congratulations, Mr. Zieqler
R. JOS. F. ZIEGLER, of Cliffside Park,
N. J., writes u s to change his address
because of the fact t h a t he is living in hie
own new house "which the knowledge gained t h r u
the Danquard Player Action School helped me t o
realize."
Mr. Ziegler was a fine tuner in a New York
factorv for ten years, but is now out tuning for
htnself and, a s he states, "going in strong for
-Give
Page Sixteen
.
L
a Thought to Music-
player work, and I look for my Standard Player
Monthly regularly."
We a r e glad t o present Mr. Ziegler's tribute to
the Danquard Player Action School and a r e glad
t o know t h a t he has p u t t o such practical use
the knowledge gained while attending the school.
H a v e YOU
a Standard Suction
Pump?
N
0 tuner or repairman in the field is
properly equipped for his work without a
good suction pump. I n t h e opinion of the
makers, the most practical and durable suction
pump made is the Standard, which we sell t o
tuners a n d repairmen generally thruout the United
States.
If there i s dust floating in the air-and
there
generally is-some of i t is sure to be drawn into
the player t h r u the openings in t h e trackerbar.
when
player is being played, a i r rushes in a t
thesc openings and i t carries with i t whatever
dirt o r dust there may be in the air.
Cert,ain kinds of player rolls also give forth a
fine paper lint which i s drawn into t h e channels
of the player t h r u the openings in the trackerbar.
Freqnentlp when R playerpiano i s not functioning
propcrlp, the use of the suction pump on the
trackerbar will remove the cause which i s frequently d i r t and lint.
The Standard Pneumatic Action Company's
suction p u ~ u p is made t o fit snugly over the
trackerbar a n d with i t all loose lint and d i r t can
be cffcctively withdrawn from t h e tubes. The
price of this suction pump is $1.25 and orders
map be sent t o the Standard Pneumatic Action
Co., 638 W. 52nd St., New York City.
a
This Is Always Gratifying
w
E wish t o thank Clarence A. Green, of
Muskegon, Mich., for his kind words in
regard to the Standard Player Monthly.
We a r e making every effort to produce a publication t h a t will prove of real value t o tuners and
dealers. We a r e human, like the rest of humanity, and a r e always pleased when we receive such
appreciative eommcnts. Mr. Green writes a s follows:
"Your Standard Player Monthly has
come t o me nearly all the time since its
publication. and I appreciate it very
much. T h e r e is s o much that helps the
man in actual everyday experience in
each issue. 1 will be glad t o have it
continue in the good work and will be
pleased t o receive it. I thank you very
much and know the others tuners do
also, t h o they may be like me. rather
slow about,, telling you, but enjoy it
very much.
-Give
a Thought to Music-
STANDARD PLAYER MONTHLY
Wanted!
w
HEN men who wish positions write us of that fact, we place their names upon
our waiting list and the names re nain there until we get definite advice that
positions have been secured. So if you have, at any time, written in answer
to one of our Want Ads and have secured a place, please notify us at once, that we
may take your name off our waiting list.
These Want Ads are printed free of clarge. All who want positions should state
in what section of the country they are willing to work, and should state experience, salary and present afiliations.
SALESMEN WANTED-By
concerns located in
South Dakota; Minnesota; Providence, R. I.;
P e n n s y l v a ~ ~ i aIowa.
;
TUKERS AND REPAIRMEN WmTED--TOpeka, Kans.; Plainfield, N. J.; Dayton, Olrio;
Bangor, Pa.; San Antonio, Texas; Trenton, N. J.;
Denver, Colo.; Davenport, Iowa; Estherville,
Iowa; Detroit, Mich.; Pannsylvania; Akron, Ohio;
West New York, N. J.; Meridian, Miss.; Woonsocket, S. Dak.; Newark, N. J.; Baltimore, Md.;
Philadelphia, Pa.; LeSueur Center,. Minn.; 1 roy,
N. Y.; Monroe, La.; Columbus, Ohio; North
Carolina.; St. Joseph, Mo.
REl'AIRMSN AND POLISHER W A N T E L
Springfield, 111.; Cheyenne, Wyo..; Trenton, N. J.;
Alabama.
POSITIONS WANTED BY COMBINATION
MEN-Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri, Chicago, California, New York, West Virginia.
POSITIONS WANTED BY TUNERS AND REPAIRMEN-Connecticut, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana,
Ohio, P ~ ~ ~ n s y l v a nKew
i a , York, New Jersey, Michigan, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Illinois, Florida,
Arkansas, Sonth Dakota, Virginia, Oklahoma,
Tennessee, Nevada, North Carolina, Alabama,
California, Washington, D. C., Texas, Kansas,
West Virginia, Louisiana.
POSITJOPFS WANTED BY SALESMANAGERS
-New l'ork, Rhode Island, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Minnesota, Tennessee.
POSITIONS WANTED BY SALESMEN-Rhode
Island, New York, Kansas.
F o r f u r t h e r Information regarding above
wants, address W a n t Column, care Standard
Player Monthly.
Position Wanted-Capable
tuner and playerman desires t o communicate with music house
t h a t will offer him the opportunity t o go get it.
Salary to s t a r t not less than $50 a week. Address Want Column No. 498, care Standard Player
Monthly.
Position Wanted--Competent tuner and player
repairman desires position with reliable concern
located in t h e west or southwest. Nine years'
experience in factory and outside tuning and repairing. Recently discharged from t h e U. S.
Army service. Address Want Column No. 499,
care Rtandard Player dlonthly.
Position Wanted-By
reliable tuner and player
repairman. 35 years of age. Several years' experience. Can furnish first-class references a s t o
-Give
a T h o u g h t t o Music-
ability in tuning and repairing. Prefer t o locate
in o r near Pittsburgh, Pa. Address W a n t Column
No. 500, care Standard l'layer Monthly.
Wanted-First-class shop foreman. One who is
willing t o work a t the bench himself and superintend a shop of eight o r ten other men. Also
need several tuners and repairmen. Will pay reasonable salary. S t a t e references, experience, etc.
Good positions offered. Location, Nebraska. Address Want Column No. 501, care Standard Player
Monthly.
Must be competent t o handle
Wanted-Tuner.
plaper repair work. Steady position. Good opportunity for right man. Location, Philadelphia.
Address Want Column No. 502, care Standard
Plauer Y o n t l r b .
Wanted-First-class
piano tuner a n d repairman by a high-class up-to-date music house located in the middle west. Will pay t h e right
salary t o the right man. Address Want Column
No. 503, care Rtandard Player Monthly.
Wanted
First-class tuner, regulator and
player piano repairman. Good wages and permanent position assured. One who understands selli n g and has knowledge of phonographs preferred.
State full details. Location, Louisiana. Address Want Column No. 504, care Standard Player
Nonthl?/.
Wanted-First-class piano tuner and repairman
who is capable of taking care of repair work on
pianos. player pianos and talking machines. City
of 250.000. (I'u~,d snlnry and steady employment.
Location, Ohio. Address W a n t Column No. 505.
care Standard Player Monthly.
-
Your Name Stays
"I hope i t is not too l a t e t o retain my name
on your mailing list for t h e Standard Player
Monthly. I really thought I had attended to it
before. T ro~tnicl~!rthe .~lrmthluall n l ~ n n l l r t ~n
e
.cessity for every up-to-date t u n e r ~ ~ a ndealer."d
H. L. K., Providence, R. I.
From A. B. D., Red Dank, N. J.-"I hav$ eold
a number of playerpianos with your plaper a*
tions, because of their superiority, and fully agree
with you in advertising and pushing the playerpiano, and have found i t very beneficial t o even
advertise them on my letterhead, which you will
note a t t h e bottom of t h i s letter."
--Give
a T h o n g h t t o MusicPage Seventeen
IMPORTANT.-In asking for information concerning any Standard player action
met with in the field, ccrrespondents are requested to give the serial number of the
action, which will be found on the upper L groove board, treble end, and also on the
secondary pouch board, treble end. As imarovements have suggested themselves, we
have made slight changes. Therefore to answer questions intelligently we should
have the nnmber of the player action that we may consult our records and ascertain
the exact methods in vogue when the action was made. I t is also important to mention
the various parts by name and number as listed in the "Sign of Quality" catalog, giving the number of the page which contains the illustration, as well as the number of
the particular part.
The Standard player catalog should be in the hands of every dealer, salesman and
tuner. It is free for the asking. Contains technical descriptions, profusely illustrated,
of the various secticw of the Standard pll.yer action. Also precise instructions for
"getting at" any part of the mechanism. If you do not have this catalog, write for it
@day. Furthermore, if any readers of th? "Standard Player Monthly" desire any
questions answered regarding the selling, operation or maintenance of player p;anos,
. put them up to us. We will answer them to the best of our ability, either in the
! "Queries and Answers" department of this oubliration or by letter. Address "Standard Player Monthly," 638 West 62nd St., New Pork City.
-
A. G. T,. FTolyoke, Bfasa.-T have a plaver artion ner: Pirut, ti,olitcn nll serems, heing carchil not
l . tllnt nll nil)lier trthe connt.ctiona
(not one of roilr mnke) with ~vliicliT nm linving t o o v r r l ~ ~ i t ~Sre
difficnltv. Tlie plnver is a single vnlve nction, a r e tight. T f the n~lilirrltas become poroils nt.the
~ tnBt*rtrcl pnrta and replnce t ~ t b e
and I have mncle unre t l ~ n tthe lowrr nrtion tloea r~ipples. c ~ off
not Irnk. I took tlie top netion nll npnrt nnd ex- ovrr nipple. T:~cn tnke n piece of ys-inch niliber
amined everv vnlve, testing e v r r one of t l ~ r i nt o tillling :I o r 4 frvt long. plnce one end in yolir e a r
make ellre tlint none lrnkrtl: 1 nlnn tigl~tcnrtl(111 nntl with the otlit-r eiirl follow rip nll joints and
rcrewa and mntle uiirr tllnt all t l ~ clrnil tithcu 1 ~ 1 1 - pnrkrtl plnwe while working tlie trracllra t o create
~ s711
t the clinnncls. \ITliilc doing thie, of
Ing t o trnrkrr-hnr were not Ic.nking. nnd a l t e r e s l ~ n ~ in
doing all tllnt work the plnper r ~ f ~ i n cteo plnv. cottrse. yo11 milst linve a Iilnnk space of miisic roll
over tlir- tmraker hnr s o t h a t t l ~ ea i r r a ~ i n o tget
When 1 re-roll. tlie trrndlys Iiave lots of rrsiatance. hilt w l ~ r nI t r y t o plny tlie roll pnssra nvrr into tlin trnc*kor IIO~I.(I. V i e rcroll Irver shoi~ldhe
the trnrker-Iinr ant1 not n tone. Drfore 1 tnnk n t "l~lrry" RIICI t l ~ etempo lever a t "pnuae." See
d plnv. hiit repnrnte inrrtr~ic.tionu for testing bottom action on
the action npnrt the plnvrr ~ v o ~ i lnot
page 20 of o a r oita1r.b.
the keye woultl move a little. Kom t h e kevn don't
even. move, no matter how faet I make the
treadlea go.
F. M. C., Cnha City, 'Xis.-Please
send u s a
+ + *
W m KOTER
MX'TSPEAAK.-YOII adviee t h a t spring for spool with which vou tighten u p the
you have plenty of resiitnnce on the trrrtlles when rhnin on motor on a Stnndnrd player action.
rerolling, but do not etnte whether there is re- Tliere seems t o he somrtl~ing wrong with tliie
eistnnce on trrnclles mlien the re-roll levrr is in epring. U7e cannot get it tight enorigh to make
pouition t o plnv. Jf poll have rcuistance nlirn i t play properlv. It loses speed which we b e
r e r o l l levrr iu in position t o plav and the roll ie lieve is due t o this spool being too loose..
+ + +
paesinp over the trnrker-hnr hilt utill the notru do
LOOPEMOTORc ~ ~ ~ ~ . - P o s s i h YOU
l y have not
l t lie in tlint the gntr vnlve
not e p a k . t h f~n ~ ~map
ia closrd so tlint the top nrtion is not connected inserted t l ~ i sspring in t h e screw eve on t h e aide
to ~ x h n ~ i n t On
. the otlirr Iinnd. if you have vrrp of the motor. The spool el~onld be in back of
little resintance, tliie indirntes t l ~ n tthere is n Imk the chain and the epring inserted in the ecrew
m e w l i ~ r ein tlie top nction o r Irtlveen tlie top eve so na t o take u p the slnrk in t h e chain. We
an11 Imttnm nrtione. We wo~~lcl
n ~ t ~ g r tlint
s t ~ o u a r e sending a new spring, Iiorever. in case you
teat o u t tho action for leaks in the following man- need i t for replacement. If t h e chain on the
1
*
.Page Eighteen
-Give
a Thought t o Music-
-Give
a Thought t o M u s i c
motor is too loose (too long) simply remove a
link and re-connect chain.
W. H. M., Mansfield, Pa.-I have a new player,
not of your make, in which there is a noise much
the same a s is made by a loose flange in a piano
action. I have tightened u p all screws on the
piano and player action, the pneumatics are regulated properly and do not fully close. I have
taken up all lost motion. Do you think i t possible t h a t the valves need regulating and if a
valve has too much play would i t cause a harder
blow on the piano action?
*
--
*
CLICKIN~
No1sE.-We
think the trouble is due
t o hardened valve washers and too much play in
the valves. Too much play will cause a harder
blow on the piano action.
C. 0.M., Minneapolis, Minn.-I a m working on
an old, cheap player and a m unable to locate the
cause of a jerky motor. It is a 5-pneumatic
type of motor and when playing the test roll
very slowly the motor stops o r nearly stops at
a certain point of shaft revolution. I have
cleaned the valve and dry-leaded, cleaned and enlarged shaft bearings. The shaft is straight and
does not bind. I have timed motor and tested
the pouches. I have cleaned and applied Dixon's
Graphitoleo No. 692 t o chains and gearings,
brakes, etc. I have cleaned and dry-leaded piston and rod bearings. With chain off motor, i t
runs fairly well on re-wind. Also when speeding u p on "play" i t does not show up so badly.
*
while on "play."
We also suggest t l ~ a you
t
examine the brake
on the take-UD s ~ o o las i t may
be too tight. his brake can de adjusted by the
two leather n u t s on the threaded end, right below
the transmission. We suggest when adjusting
same tliat you throw the lever to "re-roll" and
see t h a t the take-up spool revolves easily but not
too freely a s the paper would then be wound on
tlie music spool too loosely. Place a little Dixon's
Graphitoleo No. 692 on the felted end of the
brake which rests against the gear of the large
take-up spool.
I
*
JERKY
Mo~oB.-we are inclined to believe the
trouble lies in the governor. Probably the shear
valve is not cutting off properly, leaving a leak
from one channel t o another. Or the shear valve
might be binding in its movement. If the fault
is not here, then examine the motor pneumatics.
Some foreign substance may have dropped into
the heel of one of the pneumatics, causing i t t o
become hinge-bound. Examine the motor chain
to see t h a t i t does not catch on the sprockets in
any way.
C. H. E., Henderson, Texas.-The
re-roll does
not work properly on a playerpiano containing
Standard player action No, 08269. As soon as
the pins come together, which should make the
reverse in the mechanism, i t becomes locked.
The chains are caught and re-roll can be effected
only by hand.
*
RE-BOLLIKOPEBATIVE.--Webelieve you will find
t h a t the lever in tlie transmission wliich shifts
the gear from "play" to "re-roll" is not set properly. You will see this lever plainly pictured just
to the right of the roll box in the illustration of
the motor on page 9 of our Sign of Quality
catalog. When on "play" this lever should be bent
a t the angle as shown in this illustration-leaving a t least 1-16th inch space between i t and the
upper brake block. Possibly in the player you
mention this lever is straight u p and down when
on "play," and rests against the brake block. This
is the position i t should be in on "re-roll" only.
The remedy is simple. Loosen the screw in the
collar on the lower shaft and adjust the lever so
t h a t i t will not rest against the brake block but
will have the required play of 1-16th of a n inch
--Give a: Thought t o Music-
\V. T.,Adrian, Mich.-In one of your actions,
four years old, I find rubber tubing badly cracked,
but tlie trouble is t h a t I don't get any a i r into
the striking pneumatic wind chest; there is a leak
somewhere. It stops when the silencer stop i~
pressed down, and a s soon a s I release i t i t roara
again and no a i r gets t o the chest.
C H ~ C K ETuersa.-If
D
the cracked tubing t h a t
you refer to is t h a t which connects the lower ao
tion with top action, this would be the cause of
the leak when re-roll lever is in a position to
"play." But if you throw the re-roll lever ever
to "re-roll," the leak will stop, a s the top action
will then be disconnected from the bottom action.
Also you will not hear the leak when the silencer
stop is pressed down, as i t functions the same
a ? when the re-roll lever is on "re-roll," except
t h a t i t does not throw the transn~issionlever out.
We woultl suggest t h a t you return the cracked
tubing to u s and we will replace i t with new. Also,
let us have the number of the action, please. To
discover leaks, read the answer to A. G. L., Eolyoke, Mass. .
F. B. B., Geneva, Ohio.-A
playerpiano containing a Standard player action, sold a year, is
showing some disarrangement of the gears. The
little gear wheel which engages and drives the
large music roll gear wheel slips and does not
remain engaged in gear with the large wheel.
Does i t need a new bushing t h r u which runs the
shaft to wliich the little gear is attached?
* * *
. W H E NGEARIs XOT MESHED.-It may be tliat
the gears a r e not meshing properly. If t h i s is
tlie case, simply raise o r lower the take-up spool
by means of the brackets in the side of the spool
box. If the teeth on either gear wheel are worn,
return the parts to us and we will replace free
of charge. It is possible, however, t h a t new
bushing in needed and we have sent you a piece
of bushing clot11 from which you can cut a piece
of the required size. To remove the shaft and
insert the new bushing, proceed a s follows: Remove take-up spool by taking out set screw ( o r
regulating screw a s i t is also known) on the lefthand side of spool box. Loosen small set screws
in collars and on sprocket wheel engaging motor
chains. Then simply slide the shaft out. P u t
in the bushing cloth with shellac and before replacing the shaft, apply Dixon's Graphitoleo No.
692 t o the bushidg. When replacing t a k e u p
spool, be careful t h a t i t i s aligned properly. It
should be centered in the spool box. Take a rule
and measure from flanges on right and left to the
sides of the spool box. The spool can be moved
either t o the right or the left by the adjusting
-Give
a Thought t o MusicP a g e Nineteen
P
DARD PLAYER M 0
screw on the l e f t of the spool
box. See t h a t t h e distance from
the under side of t h e spool t o
the bottom of the roll box i s the same at each
end. If one side is lower t h a n t h e other, knock
t h e lower end of t h e bracket up a little. B e
sure t h a t the gear wheel on take-up spool meshes
properly with the gear pinion on shaft. They
should not mesh too tightly. You can adjust the
gears by raising or lowering the take-up spool
in the brackets.
frqm the under. side of spool t o bottom of the
roll box at each end of the spool, just inside the
flanges, is the same. If one side is lower than
the other, knock the lower end of the bracket
( w l ~ i c hengages the take-up spool) a trifle. The
shifter pneumatics should be in exact center
(neutral) when re-rolling. If this is not t h e case
weaken or strengthen the spring under the shifter
pneumatic so t h a t the pneumatics will be evenly
spaced a n d prevent the music roll from running
t o one side.
F. W. C., Rochester, N. Y.--One pneumatic collapses the moment the treadles a r e operated. The
cause of this, of course, is a leak. I have tested
the tube from tracker bar t o the nipple running
into the primary valve and find same 0. K. Disconnecting this tube and holding a finger over the
nipple while operating the treadles, the pneumatic remains open. Upon removing the finger
from . t h e nipple t h e pneumatic closes, as i t
But upon replacing the finger over the
'should.
nipple the pneumatic remains collapsed a n d will
not respond a s i t should for repetition. The
bleed seems t o be free from dust and therefore
the trouble must be elsewhere. The action of the
valve-stem is also free so I feel t h a t t h e trouble
must be simply one of leakage but just where is
the point in question.
R. T. H., Wheeling, W. Va.-There
a r e lots of
oiled motors t h a t we have t o reface. I have
thought t h a t if I could finish the motor faces
as you do a t the factory i t might be more satisfactory. I have imagined t h a t a coat or two of
shellac rubbed on would be the proper dope. Am
I wrong! I have never used anything b u t dry
graphite which leaves a n unfinished appearance.
.*
COXTIXUED COLLAPSEOF P ~ ~ u a a a ~ ~ c . - T h e is
re
but one cause for the collapse of a pneumatica n opening somewhere into the exhaust chamber.
, The correct method for conl~ectingpneumatic with
.+;- exhaust is by the pneumatic valve, called the
d. 5 secondary valve.
The pneumatic will not collapse
A.:
in any other way unless there is a crack o r hole
connecting this pneumatic chamber with exhaust
outside of the valve. The valve is open in i t s
natural operation by the secondary pouch pushing
. i t over and opening i t into the exhaust chamber
r3 a n d closing i t t o the atmospheric chamber. This
pouch is. operated in a double valve action from
the primary valve. I n a single valve action i t i s
operated from the tracker-bar. The secondary
valve can be held off i t s seat by a piece of d i r t
having lodged in between valve and valve seat.
There could be a leak anywhere from the trackerbar t o underneath the primary pouch; a leak anywhere from atmospheric primary valve t o the
secondary pouch. If the pneumatic does not open
as i t should after i t is once played, you probably
will find a small leakage t o the secondary pouch
chamber o r perhaps the valve might be a trifle
p" sticky.
2
F)
* .
H. A. P. Go., Marion, Ohio.-We
have a
playerpiano with Standard action equipment whioh
does not re-roll properly. The roll does not seem
to r u n on the take-up spool in line with t h e upper
spool and tears when rewinding. Vie have alreadf
adjusted the lower spool which remedies i t but
little.
*
*
I
WF~EX
PAPER
TEARSON RE-Ror.~.-we note t h a t
you have already adjusted the lower, or take-up,
spool and assume t h a t you have i t in the exact
center. It should be centered so t h a t the dietance between the sides of spool box a n d the
flanges is the same on right and left sides. Use
a rule to measure this. The spool can be moved
t o the right o r left by adjusting screw on the
left side of the spool box. See t h a t the distance
-Give
a Thought to Music-
*
.
I
&
I
REFACISG MOTOR Sr.lDE.-Vi'hen
oil has been
usrrl on the face and slides of the motor, the first
thing t o do is t o wash t h e motor slides and face
thoroly with alcohol as this will absorb the oil.
Then tack a piece of fine sandpaper tightly over
a perfectly Hat-faced block about 5 inches long
by 3 inches wide. Then sandpaper t h e face and
slides of the motor up and down, o r in the direction in which the slides move. Be careful t o keep
the surface wholly covered with the sanding block
when sanding so t h a t a l l the surface will bc sandpapered exactly the same. When this is done
a p p l y . d r y powdered graphite. Shellac should
not be used. Graphite would soon rub off a surface glazed with shellac, whereas i t will stick to
the plain wood.
W. H. W., Marysville, Calif.-What
i s the
standard distance from the string of the playerpiano t o the hammer after the. key i s struck and
firmly held down?
W h a t is the f a u l t in a player action when
some of the hammers strike the strings but
faintly and others not a t all. I n the player action refeired t o this difficulty i s entifely i n the
bass section. All treble hammers work perfectly. All lost motion has been taken u p on the
piano action and when played by hand the instrument seems t o be in perfect condition. The
player action is not a Standard.
X
I
*
DISTAKCE FROM ~ T R I K G TO H A M M E R . - T ~ ~ ~
proper distance is about five-eighths of a n inch.
WHEN. A GROUP OF NOTES DO NOT SPEAK
CLEARLY.-We think this difficulty i s caused by
the valves not having sufficient motion.
J. B., Elizabeth, W. J.-I a m trying t o fix a
player which does not r u n steadily when
playing a roll. It stops a n d then s t a r t s again.
The motor runs all right when pumping without
a music roll in place. It also runs all right
when the tracker bar is sealed u p with paper. The
transmission is 0. I<.
* * *
Mo'roR.-We
believe the trouble is
simply due t o t h e fact t h a t the transmission requires lubrication, particularly t h e upper brake
block. The proper lubricant t o use is Diuon's
Graphitoleo No. 602. We also refer you t o page
28 of our catalog which gives instructions on
timing.
USSTEADY
-Give
Page Twenty
*
'
a Thought to M u s i c