[ Ref. 030618 MMDigest, "Play Your Player Piano
 [ Using a Paper Music Roll"

Defeating the object.

Greetings,  I never understand why some people think that their
particular way of going about something is the superior or only
way of doing it.

I have Duo-Art (a few actually, but only one really good one) pianos
and my enjoyment comes from the music that they provide.  This was the
original intent of the development of the system.  Sure, plenty of
people bought them to impress their friends who could care less about
the fact that they could produce wonderful music.

The reproducing pianos were built within the limits of the existing
technology -- as is always the case, unless you believe in alien
visitations.  The manufacturers were always looking for ways to improve
and extend their systems.  Toward the end of the era, Aeolian attempted
to market the Concertola in an attempt to extend play without constant
roll changing.  Many pianos were returned for factory upgrading, for
example from Themodist to full Duo-Art.

The manufactures would probably be extending them with electronics
today if they were still in business.  As another example, look at
the electronic retrofits made for acoustic phonographs that are now
collectors items themselves.  As long as a retrofit does no permanent
damage to a collectable, I seen no reason to be concerned.

My electronic interface system does not interfere with the ability to
play a roll and experience the wonder of music sourced from holes in
paper.  As well as I understand the principles, it still never ceases
to amaze me as I watch the roll go by.  However, this is not all there
is to collecting.  Since my primary interest is the music and since
emulations on a Disklavier are not good enough for me, I developed my
E-Roll Player system.

I am not wealthy enough to afford the space for two pianos (and room
to fit them in) and a servant to change rolls.  Besides this, I do not
have the resources to duplicate all the rolls I want to play so that
they will play properly and not be damaged.  I enjoy the music much
better if I can relax and not worry about a rare roll falling to pieces
because the paper has been eaten by acid over the last 70 years.  I can
play from a library of 2600 (ever increasing) roll images and will soon
be able to play midi music from other sources as well.  I can put on
a program of any length and turn out the light, relax and experience
a performance from the past that few have had the luxury to enjoy now
or in the past.

How can you enjoy a romantic evening of some of the best recordings
of the past century if you have to get up to change the roll, and if
the imperfect tracking occludes the musical timing?

Best regards,
Spencer Chase
Garberville, CA
http://www.spencerserolls.com/