Scan 230
The American history and encyclopedia of music .., 1908
8 lines. Read by computer on 8 September 2026. Printed page 188. See the scan on archive.org.
1routine of practice soon palls upon the student and he loses interest because what will take several years is not accomplished in several months. Others who may strongly desire to learn cannot devote sufficient time and the invention of practicable pianoforte players in 1895 has been heralded as the beginning of a new era in music. They have made it possible for the music-lover who has been denied the privilege of learning the art, to interpret the best compositions with perfect accuracy. The tone is somewhat mechanical but with a good musical ear and a thorough acquaintance with the method, the performer on the player can acquire expression.
3A detailed account of the player would be uninteresting and unintelligible to the general reader. It has appeared under many names, but in principle the varieties are alike. The first patent applied for covered a player placed within the case of the pianoforte. However the large number of instruments without players already manufactured made the construction of the new instruments impracticable and a detached player was devised. It was inclosed in a case of its own and was placed immediately in front of the pianoforte when used. Gradually instruments with the player enclosed have appeared until their use has become general.
5A vacuum is created by foot bellows and from it tubes lead to an opening in a path over which a perforated sheet of paper passes. The perforations are so arranged that, as they cross the opening in the path, the outer air rushes into the vacuum, and, directed by the position of the holes, strikes the rear of corresponding key levers. The force of the suction depresses the lever and the action responds in the same manner as when the fingers strike the keys. In the separate players, the air acts upon hammers which strike the visible keys of the piano and in reality two actions are necessary. The length of the perforations determines the length of the tones produced.
7Not only have the players assumed prominence from their use in music rooms, but conservatories and music teachers are employing them in demonstrating difficult pas-
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