I have been reading the recent discussions of the Sankyo hand-cranked
music box (actually made by Kikkerland, I believe) and the tune strips
they use.  These are available in 15, 20 and 30-note versions.  I have
made strips for my 30 note version using the laser cutter to which
I have access and might consider making for others if the demand is
sufficient.  I could make strips up to 32" long if needed.

But for your entertainment and amusement, please enjoy this clear
and unambiguous description of the operation of one of these movements
I saw recently on the website of a distributor:

    "Based on the diagram in the direction transverse to the pitch
(increasing from left to right), vertical to the beat (solid line
between the two is one beat).

    "Note: Due to hand tape movement through a thin needle with a
read-hole axis and read out the note struck audible sound teeth, in
which a thin shaft rotating circle, if a sound appear on the pitch more
than once (for example, 11 corresponds to such notation of two closely
spaced tones; corresponds to the tape sense, that is solid and dotted
lines such as adjacent the sound hole simultaneously C), then when the
first tone is after reading the back of the (same) tone is ignored
(adjacent 1/4 beat even within the same pitches are omitted).
Therefore, some cheerful melody or chord, such as 15, 351, 535, of
which five tone is repeated so frequently, and the effect may be just
153, 153, so pay attention to the chord adaptation;

    "Melody is also true, if adaptation is not good, the taste of
losing the original song You should consider the: is it not suitable to
get a paper tape.  Although there are chromatic limitations in the beat
can still allow 1/4 beat!  As mentioned above: horizontal to beat
(solid line between the two is one beat) , and between adjacent solid
and dashed lines is half a beat.  If the hole hit the solid and dashed
lines the middle, that is 1/4 note beat it!  This may sound a little
bit around.  Is simply, internal organs are the minimum line spacing
note interval is half of the actual situation.  Say that a good
understanding of it!"

Feeling grateful I am not a translator!

John Grant