MUSIC: INDOORS AND OUT

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12009, 11 December 1924, Page 7

MUSIC: INDOORS AND OUT

PORTABLE GRAMAPHONE. ON RIVER, BEACH, OR IN THE GARDEN. The bom© that is without music is missing one of the greatest pleasures of existence, on© of the things that make life worth living. A piano is a great asset, but its pleasure is limited to one’s ability to perform on it. Not so the gramaphone, '»?hieh is so simple to operate that a child can work it, and there is no limit to the amount and quality of music it can provide. Excerpts from the operas, musical comedy scores which are so generally popular, the world's best composers, sentimental and humorous songs, children’s songs and bedtime stories, recitations, all of these* do not exhaust the entertaining possibiliites of the gramaphone. ON THE HOUSEBOATS. One of tho best known machines in New Zealand to-day is tho Decca, which put the seal on its reputation during the great war, when they were supplied in thousands to the troops in the field, helping them to pass the weary hours and bear the strain of the trenches. Its strength of build, its perfect tone and tho splendid way in which it stood up to rough usage under exceptional trying conditions, stamped it as the ideal machine for all purposes. It should be said now that the Decca is a portable gramaphone, the average weight being about 121 b. It is the favourite machine on tho houseboats, which are such a picturesque sight on the River Thames at Richmond, Hampton Court, and beyond, .and it is safe to say that 90 per cent, of them in use on the river are Deccas. An important factor is that they are all British, and are made by Barnett, Samuel and Sons, London, a firm of musical instrument makers who are known the world orer. IN THE TRENCHES. New Zealand Expeditionary Force men wore so pleased; with them that hundreds of them were brought to the Dominion after the war. and they are rendering good service to-day. They are so compact, improvements have been made since tlie European- turmoil, that the Decca may justly bo said to represent the last word in gramaphone construction. It is to be found in every country of the world. .In the winter time it will entertain you in your home, or you can take it with you when you spend an evening v - ith your friends. Now the summer, is with us it can accompany the picnic party up the river or to the spaside and )s a source of pleasure when the tramping, the bathing or tho fishing is over. Some fancy a little dancing in the evening. The Decca will provide the music, and will not tire even if carried on to the early hours. When not required it packs up so compactly that it can be placed in any little corner out of the way, but is ready for instant use when called upon. THE IDEAL MACHINE. It lias tho advantage over the huge cabinet machine, for it can be moved to any room in the house with ease,- and is just, as powerful, just as sweet and as perfect as any gramaphone on the market to-day. Its wonderful carrying volume is especially noticeable, and; this is due to the fact that the firm have studied the problem of the portable machine until they have reached what is .well nigh perfection. Its popularity is testified to by the fact that the sales far 1934 have trebled those of the previous year. All the leading music stores In the Dominion can supply these machines, the price of which was reduced in November, so that they are to-day the best value portable gramaphones on the market. A more appropriate Christmas gift could hardly be devised;. The New Zealand agents are Messrs J. Myers and vt°y Ltd., Hunter street, Wellington.— iFubhehed by arrangement.