The talking machine world (Jan-June 1922)

Febkuary IS, 1922 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 129 L6\NIN^S^WORLtMMUSI MORE INTEREST SHOWN IN SELLING OF SHEET MUSIC Large Percentage of Talking Machine Dealers, Particularly in Metropolitan District, Now Carrying Line of Popular Sheet Music and Finding It Profitable During the past year there has been a concerted drive by sheet music distributors, particularly the jobbers of New York, to install popular sheet music departments in strictly talking machine stores. Generally these installations are simplified by the use of racks that set on or hang flush against the wall, thus occupying little space. From the standpoint of accomplishing their aims the New York distributors have achieved unusual results, as a very high percentage of talking machine dealers in the metropolitan district are now serving their trade with the big successes in the sheet music line as well as in records. The present wholesale and retail prices of such goods are attractive, and as the demand is quite substantial and seemingly has not lowered record sales of the same numbers, evidently there are no drawbacks to adding a sheet music line. The plans of the jobbers to care for the requirements of talking machine stores have invariably been well arranged and have the support and co-operation of all the popular publishers who welcome this new and increased outlet for sales. Speaking of the present retail prices of sheet music, which allow such a good margin for the retailer, it might be well, as a matter of information, to call attention to the fact that, despite unsettled conditions, the song and instrumental selections that are acknowledged successes are having almost as big a sale as was achieved by the average popular number in the days of 10cent music. They do not reach quite so high a figure, but this can be traced to general business conditions as much as to increased prices. The publishers to-day, with the aid of the talking machine dealer, have as large a sales outlet — as many points of distribution — as in the height of success of 10-cent prints. In the old days the legitimate music dealer paid little or no attention to any sheet music and sometimes absolutely refused to handle 10-cent music, but to-day he is giving the publisher cooperation. This, then, with the talking machine dealers who have been induced to handle sheet music, gives the publisher increased distribution, and with business showing a revival, the improvement will, under more normal conditions, undoubtedly give the publisher larger sales than were ever heretofore possible. All of this will tend in the end to be of distinct benefit to the record manufacturer and, of course, to his dealers, for the publisher will have as many sales outlets as he ever had, almost if not as many sales, and greater profits with which to exploit his works. In fact, the gamble has been taken away, his business is more stabilized and is of a more permanent character. All of this means a healthy condition, not only for the publisher but for the many organizations that are not in any way related to him. THE PASSING OF JAZZ MUSIC Survey of Present Catalogs of Music Publishers Indicates That There Is Very Little So-called Jazz Offered — Blame Placed on Some Orchestras for the Weird Musical Effects Secured MUSIC IN LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Music Division of Library Shows Substantial Growth During Last Fiscal Year The annual report of Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress, just issued, shows substantial growth of the music division. The accessions for the year ending June 30, 1921, were 34,814, including 32,191 on music, 1,856 on literature of music and 767 on instruction. On June 30 the music division contained 919,041 volumes, pamphlets and pieces, of which 856,688 were music. Among notable accessions to the music division during the last year was a fine collection of original manuscripts by American composers. Many other gifts of original autographed choruses of Richard Wagner's "Gastmahl der Apostel" and four autographed songs by Franz Schubert, composed in 1816, "Fruhling," "Auf den Tod einer Nachtigall," "Die Knabenzeit," and "Winterlied." As was noted before in these columns, there is much ado about the present jazz craze in America and, naturally, music, particularly of the jazz variety, comes in for its share of condemnation. In looking over the current catalogs of the publishers, however, we find only comparatively few real jazz numbers. We find, however, more good ballads and waltz numbers than in some seasons past and the typical love song, which can hardly be termed jazz, is not lacking. We also find a tendency, at the present time, to issue Hawaiian numbers. This latter is so true that at the present moment there is hardly a catalog that has not at least one or two such numbers, and these cannot be termed jazz. We also find that in arranging numbers many publishers are getting music-box effects, and these can hardly be called jazz for they are melodious— and real music. All the above being true, which can be substantiated by a close analysis of current releases, it would seem that music is being charged with crimes of which it is not guilty. We might say, however, that one of the reasons why the average popular song, particularly in its dance form, is described as jazz is the fault of the present-day orchestras, which on too numerous occasions add their own original arrangements and effects to the orchestra arrangements placed in their hands by the publishers. This is not to say that the orchestras are putting the jazz in music, but they often do put in their own special ideas — effects which the publisher more often than, not would be glad to see left out. Sometimes these special arrangements chop up the melody and fail to carry out the theme in its original form. The publisher, of course, is interested in seeing the melody carried out and repeated because the reputation of the melody is what makes for popularity and sells the music. TWO GENUINE IRVING BERLIN, Inc., HITS— GET THEM AT ONCE LONESOME HOURS The Kind of a Song That Appeals to All THEY CALL IT DANCING Another hit from the " Music Box Revue' IRVING BERLIN, Inc., 1607 BROADWAY, NEW YORK