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MMD > Archives > November 2000 > 2000.11.06 > 04Prev  Next


Operating & Maintaining the Player Piano
By Mike 'Fox' Morrey

Hello all, again.  Still enjoying the heck out of my player, and as
I play it more and more, I'm noticing little things that I'm just
curious about.

I thought all, if not many, had a pneumatic sustain.  I see the punches
for it on the left side of the roll; I was mildly surprised to see mine
didn't have one (around 1916 player).

Not really crucial to the operation, but what is a good brass cleaner
to clean the brass parts, especially the tracker?  I don't want gunk
clogging the holes.

As someone who knows music, and has a great tempo ear, I can notice
that sometimes my tempo will fluctuate barely.  Especially after a
phrase that has little or no notes playing going into one that has a
lot.  Is this normal, or should I take a look at my tempo regulator?

And since I don't know exactly what paper slippage is, I'm going to
assume that that's what this is:  While playing, very briefly, like in
the middle of a passage, the paper will stop completely, then resume.
_Very_ briefly.  At first I thought maybe I had a gear or something
slipping, but no, it's the paper.  (I noticed it most when I was
working on my brakes.  I think I have my brakes adjusted properly now,
I just haven't played all my rolls since I adjusted them.)

Also, while re-rolling, there seems to be _no_ tempo (or speed) watch
-- the faster I pump, the faster it re-rolls.  Is this normal?  Is
re-rolling too fast or too slow bad for the tension when you play it
next time?

That's all for now, save one more cleaning question:  How is ivory
cleaned?  I don't want to ruin it (or wear off anymore black paint on
the sharps).

Thanks!
Mike Morrey


(Message sent Mon 6 Nov 2000, 23:32:31 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Maintaining, Operating, Piano, Player

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