More on Phonola 73 Note Rolls
By Michael Waters
Jody & Wayne,
Going off the top of my head about these rolls the other day has caught me unstuck. I have just done a check on what I said the other day, and realised that these rolls actually have 7 holes per inch and not 6 like I said previously. I think I am getting mixed up with the 65 note rolls.
The exact roll width is 11 and 5/8 of an inch, the rolls do themodize in the middle of the roll as I said, although there is a little confusion here even for me. There is actually 5 holes in the middle of the tracker that aren't connected to any playing notes.
I will try to explain.
In the bass the first playing note is an F#, there is then 34 notes up to a D# then we find the first gap in the tracker with one spare hole (I don't know what for!!) then the note E and another blank which is the bass expression hole as indicated by the holes in some rolls (not all 73 note rolls I have seen, have themodist coding).
Next we have F then the centre of the tracker bar (which is another blank hole). Then it's E and the treble expression hole. We move along then to F# and then the last blank, and unexplained Gap in the tracker. From there its another 34 notes to the last note which is an F. The pushup I have only plays to D# but the tracker bar goes to an F.
So in all there is 5 non playing holes in the centre of the tracker bar, of which only two are expression holes that I know of, but the other three I am afraid I don't know. Maybe someone one the list could shed a little more light on the reason for their existence.
The rolls themselves are beautifully made with wooden flanges and metal pins. Most rolls are are called "Solodant" (usually indicating they are themodist, but not always) these particular ones are mostly German and printed that way ("cause I can't read the titles). Their also know as "Claviola" and "Phonola" rolls and these usually have their titles written in English.
Its the Phonola rolls that have the water marks in them showing the year of production and the name Phonola imprinted at various intervals throughout the length of the roll.
The "Solodant" rolls usually have a photo of the pianist on the leader giving you a real lasting impression of the artist!!!!
They all must have been made out of very good quality paper as they have lasted remarkably well considering they are all around 1910 and earlier.
By the way there is no hole for automatic sustain, this is a manual feature by means of a button to push. Your supposed to use it when indicated on the roll, as with the squiggly line for expression your to follow as well...Ha! Ha!...sure takes some practice.
I have about 100 of these rolls and know of about another 300. The music on them is superb to say the least, and they brilliant great when played on my 6'6" Knabe, I to would like to know how you go with your transcription Wayne as I have a couple of rolls here that sound great but are to damaged to play right through. Would be good to have them re-cut.
Hope this is of some help in your project Wayne.
Regards
Michael
I just recieved Waynes response prior to sending this:
> (These 5 ports alternate with speaking notes near the center of the
> roll, so the speaking notes do not appear chromatically in the roll.)
What do you know that I don't Wayne?, what else can you tell me regarding these ports.
Michael
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(Message sent Sun 17 Nov 1996, 13:08:56 GMT, from time zone GMT+1100.) |
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