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Click on the images to expand themWhat is a player piano?
This is a player piano. It is a regular acoustic piano, with a special mechanism which allows the piano to play all by itself. Mechanism of the player piano
The doors open to reveal a part of the player piano mechanism - you can see the tracker bar, a piece of metal with holes in it. There is a hole for each note on the player piano. Player piano roll
A roll of paper with punched holes is inserted in the mechanism of the player. Piano rolls, spools of paper with punched holes representing notes, provide the piano with the same kind of information that a musician gets from sheet music. Holes in the paper match with holes in the tracker bar to play notes. Many piano rolls also have printed song lyrics - so you can sing along. Powered by feet
The player piano was very popular in the early 20th century, and many people felt a proper home had to have a player piano. Most pianos in that era were powered by pumping pedals with the feet. Foot pedaling can also be used to add expression to the musical notes as they play. Photos: George Wilder; Instrument: Tom and Norma Everett |
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