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Rest in Peace, Olde Tyme Automatic Player Pianos

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ripfire
01/06/09

In reply to Rest in Peace, Olde Tyme Automatic Player Pianos
Curious. How did analog piano player control the velocity of the keys for pianissimo or fortissmo?
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frigg
01/06/09

@ripfire: I *think* that most models did not control velocity/dynamics. If you look at the rolls, some have extended notches for duration, but there's no control for velocity.

In a sense, volume was therefore controlled as it was on keyboards before pianos (which had no volume variations on each note): by sheer number of notes played. More notes = louder, less notes = softer.

There were, however, some insanely complicated player pianos that had additional controls and special roles made specifically for them that could likely alter dynamics.
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strider_mt2k
01/06/09

In reply to Rest in Peace, Olde Tyme Automatic Player Pianos
We won't need 'em while we still have Uncle Floyd Vivino.

That man is the embodiment of that era in the way he plays.

Just sayin'
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frigg
01/06/09

In reply to Rest in Peace, Olde Tyme Automatic Player Pianos
Before radios, player pianos were the main way you got to listen to music you weren't playing yourself. There were tons of player pianos and player piano companies in the early 20th century, an industry virtually exterminated once radios replaced pianos as the dominant household "media center."
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1350ft.in.a.Concorde.blow*ng.up.balloons
01/06/09

In reply to Rest in Peace, Olde Tyme Automatic Player Pianos
Oh the memories. Now I just play with my KORG on the DS in the car. Times have changed.
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Curves
01/06/09

In reply to Rest in Peace, Olde Tyme Automatic Player Pianos
Player pianos, the inner workings of wind up clocks and music boxes. The things that fired my young imagination.
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TVGenius
01/06/09

In reply to Rest in Peace, Olde Tyme Automatic Player Pianos
I just saw one as a prize on The Price is Right last week, as a matter of fact...
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92BuickLeSabre
01/06/09

@TVGenius: I'm sure the contestant was thrilled.

"And behind this curtain..."

"A new car? A new car? A new car?"

"An Olde Tyme Player Piano!!!!"

"F*ck."
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