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The Pianola
FROM THE
PLAYER PIANO HOME PAGE
For those who
are not familiar with this instrument, it is best described simply as
a self-playing piano. The player mechanism is powered entirely by
suction, generated by the operation of two foot pedals, while the
music is represented by tiny perforations on interchangeable rolls of
paper. The operator, or 'pianolist', achieves dynamic shading of the
music by varying the degree of pressure applied to the foot pedals. In
addition, a set of hand-operated levers mounted just below the front
of the keyboard provide accentuation, tempo control, activation of the
sustain and soft pedals and selection of play and rewind modes. It is
true to say that in the hands of an accomplished operator, a
convincingly lifelike performance is achievable.
The pianola was
introduced around the year 1900. At first it was an external player,
playing on the keyboard of a normal upright or grand piano. Later the
mechanism was built inside the piano, which had a dual function (also
playable by hand). By means of a pneumatic mechanism the piano could
be played automatically. A wide variety of music was available in the
form of perforated paper music rolls.
The hand controls and foot-pedals enabled the player to influence the
tempo, and expression, thus making a musical rendering of a piece
possible.
The player piano
enjoyed its peak of popularity between 1900 and 1930, after which time
the gramophone, which was significantly cheaper, became the main
source of home entertainment. As the vast majority of player pianos
are now at least seventy years old and many are sadly dilapidated,
enthusiasts all over the world are devoting much time and energy to
the restoration of these truly remarkable instruments.
The paper music
rolls are still available in abundance, both old and new and almost
all musical tastes are catered for. During the first three decades of
the twentieth century, a substantial number of famous pianists
committed their performances to music roll, by means of special
recording pianos. The rolls recorded by George Gershwin for example
are still popular today and although original examples are now scarce,
specialists meet the demand from collectors by producing excellent new
copies.
A player piano
can of course be played by hand in the normal way, as the piano action
and keyboard are entirely conventional. In fact, it is usually
possible to play the keyboard while the roll mechanism is in
operation, should any additional notes or harmonies be desired!
The term
'Pianola' was actually a trademark, first used by the Aeolian Company
just over a hundred years ago, but in more recent times has become a
generic reference to the self-playing piano.
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