By Cyrus Kliewer

I joined AMICA last month and wanted to cash in on my youth-celebrity
status, so before I get any older I thought I would share my story to
shed light on the struggle to interest the youth in mechanical music.

I began collecting mechanical music while I was still wet behind the ears
at age 35 (I am now 40). I was fortunate enough to be exposed to
mechanical music when I was young from my extended family. The first
item I picked up was a Mira music box, this led to a small Celestina
Organette. While it was heavier than an i-pod, I loved the mechanical
mechanism that whirled inside it to play music. This led me to sell our
straight piano and buy a Player Piano. Such a better instrument! Now I
had hundreds of songs to chose from and even with its leaky bellows it
was a much finer instrument.

After a few years of pumping the leaky piano I was getting in great
shape and also learned about the music of yester-year. Then came
Reproducing Pianos, I was hooked. No pumping pedals, beautiful
expression, and famous Pianist playing right in your living room. In
no time at all I had several more pianos (they are reproducing pianos
you know).

Looking to spread the hobby I attempted to interest my friends in
mechanical music. We had lengthy discussions in which I asked them to
be honest NOT polite because I wanted to understand their point of
views. Several barriers were identified (combined with my own observations).

First, mechanical music has not been exposed to younger generations.
Before I was even born "The Sting" was reviving interested in Ragtime
and Pianos for the youth in the 70's.

Secondly, when I got involved with Player Pianos I was shocked that
music from the 1980's onward was nonexistent (show tunes don't count).
If someone is make the jump into this hobby, pop music will be the
springboard (White Stripes -"Fell in love with Girl" anyone?).

The third point is logistics, to collect music one must have a stable
fixed address, money, and time, three items in short supply for today's
youth.  This  combined with a harsh economic recession made for a tough
time for the young. In addition, the coolest top tier instruments
(Orchestrions, Violin Virtuosos, etc...) have all be found, bought,
and restored, leaving some of the "treasure hunting" a thing of the
past as well as the admission price to the hobby quite steep.

Where does this leave us? Well, I would not write off the youth of
today. We may be a blockbuster movie or YouTube clip away from a
resurgence.

Cyrus