Younger people, especially, do not have the patience for overly
conservative, rigid, straight sheet music transfers that repeat the
same melody over and over again.  Sorry for the Howard Dean style rant
but, Spice it up!  More "razz-a-ma-tazz"!  "Jamm out" those honky-tonk
solos!  Play the recorded music with passion and don't be afraid to
take the right kind of creative license.

I brought my player piano to the grand opening of the Empire State
Carousel.  I have many of the most popular songs but because of the
arrangements they were not most popular with the people.  I got the
biggest crowd that stayed longer and overall best response with
"Organ Grinders Swing", Joplin's "Ragtime Medley" and Doug's "Lion
Tamer Rag."  The medley roll was popular because it did not repeat
the same melody over and over.

The media knew that it needed to change the way it brings people the
news, because people have changed.  It is more difficult to grab and
keep the attention of people.

As a piano tuner I know many kids that play acoustic piano.  Piano
teachers are telling their students to buy acoustic pianos.  My guess
is most American kids know a kid who plays acoustic piano.  Vannesa
Carlton and Nora Jones (famous MTV and VH1 musicians) won Grammy
awards with acoustic piano music.  The movie "Chicago" won Academy
Award's "Best Music."  Acoustic piano music is not alien to those
younger than most.

Piano roll makers should find artists who like the music that is being
recorded and can play it with creativity and passion.  If the music is
dull and doesn't "work" with a player piano, don't release it.  Boring
music is like a player piano that performs badly and reflects poorly
on mechanical music.  Actively seek out piano players who have the
qualities to record us the music that we can use to reach the public
and compete with everything else that "screams" for public attention.

I am not necessarily saying "dumb the music down" but "spice it up"
-- make it cool and or play it hot.  My compliments to the roll
makers/sellers who allow us to hear the arrangements on-line before
buying.

Bill Maguire