The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

January 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 19 Educational Value of the Talking Machine Constantly Gaining Wider Recognition m m Slowly but surely the educational value of the talking machine is winning merited recognition from a large number of writers and musicians who formerly underestimated or inadequately considered the talking machine as a great uplifting, civilizing force. Magazine contributors at)d editorial writers in the daily papers are at last perceiving that the talking machine has been and is one of the greatest factors in bringing about a knowledge of the best in music, hence it is receiving a more sympathetic consideration at their hands. The vital and constructive part played by music in the war and the utilization of the talking machine as an instrumentality in this connection have undoubtedly focused a large measure of attention on this instrument and its possibilities in musical and educational spheres. The other day the musical editor of the Winnipeg Free Press in discussing the value of the talking machine in the school remarked: "From a blatant box with an unsightly horn, assailing the ear with screechy and muffled reproductions of nasal voices and tinny instruments, the talking machine has evolved to its present high status — that of a high-class musical instrument — in a very few years. "It was always miraculous! The improvements, amounting now almost to perfection, have added little to the miracle, which was there, full-grown and almost breath-taking, even in the crudest old product of the early, early days of the phonograph industry. "But the successive improvements have given it an entirely different status. Once a plaything and a novelty — outside the pale of serious musical consideration— and little more than a toy for the amusement of children and grownups of a novelty-loving turn of mind, the talking machine has thoroughly invaded the sphere of music in its very highest manifestations, and is now the greatest force making for musical education in the world. "Just as moving pictures popularized the greatest histrionic artists and gave them nightly audiences of many millions, so the talking machine has given to millions of homes the best performances of the world's supreme musicians, and made it possible for the most isolated settler in the wilds of civilization to hear nightly the fine artistry of metropolitan artists. "It has accomplished a wonderful revolution; but the half of its influence has not yet been fully appreciated or taken advantage of by those who have musical education seriously at heart. There has been, until quite recently, a more or less scornful acceptance of the talking machine by music teachers and musical educators, a sort of 'damning with faint praise' which has retarded the use of the talking machine as a means of teaching. "Tutors who still take that stand are now, of course, open to ridicule, since artists, of far higher musical authority than themselves use the talking machine as a vehicle to place their performances before the public. It is worthy of note, too, that those who hear the great artists via the talking machine are often treated to a better rendition of a given number than those who hear the artist in the flesh on the concert platform or the operatic stage. And this,' for the reason that the artist who is recording will often perform the piece from ten to fifteen times, improving the rendition by a study of the rec ord previously made, until the final record is well-nigh perfect. "As far as the ordinary household is concerned, the talking machine must be as close to reaching a 'saturation point' as it perhaps ever will; but the greater sphere of usefulness in the schools is as yet almost untouched. "The local government has already instituted some inquiries which point to the fact that talking machines in Manitoba schools as an aid to musical education have already been seriously considered, however, and may be an accomplished fact within the near future. A few schools have them now, of course, but the general use of them as a standard piece of school furniture (they will be as common as blackboards in the schools of the future, most certainly) is still a long way from consummation. "What largely stands in the way of prompt action along that line is the attitude of musicians who are still apt to reply in a half-hearted manner when questioned as to the efficacy of the talking machine as a means of musical education. It is with them really little more than a matter of prejudice, and the sooner it is brushed aside and a broader view taken of the hundreds of various methods of fostering and developing musical appreciation in the young and in grown-ups of insignificant musical taste, the better it will be for the cause of music in general." Why is it that dealers overlook the fundamental truth that permanent paying patrons can be secured by giving them what they want promptly, willingly and at the right price? nS i" to Dealers Top 20x22 A beauty — something for those discriminating customers. We have other cahinels. You need these products in your business. We need your money in our business. Let's get together. All goods thoroughly guaranteed Price to Dealers Size (top) I7x 19 $1050 Size (top) 20 X 22 $12-00 A leader of popular leaders for efficiency and beauty. Equipped with the genuine Ejecto-file. In oak or mahogany. 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