Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

Spring Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > November 1997 > 1997.11.03 > 12Prev  Next


The "Pianolist" and Reproducing Piano Systems
By Mike Knudsen

Since someone asked, let me repeat something that I posted some time ago:
That it is my belief that the Duo-Art is the best system to play 88-note
rolls on with your own added expression.  You have two separate
continuously variable levers to set the Theme (solo) and Accompaniment
(background) levels.  Plus, you have two little levers tubed in parallel
with the "snakebite" accent holes for bass and treble.

With these you can pop quick accents in the music, even better than
sudden jabs with the foot when foot pumping.  Just how much accent you
get depends of course on how much you've advanced the Theme lever over
the Accompaniment setting.  In addition you have the usual Tempo lever,
plus your foot on the sustain and soft pedals.  You can even switch the
Normal-Soft-Dance mode setting during a piece if you like.

Now, the Welte system gives you two levers with direct control over the
bass and treble, and with quick hand motions you should be able to get
good accents, and this may be simpler than the Duo-Art.  However, a major
advantage of the D-A comes with all those Themodist rolls, which are
88-noters except with the accent (Theme) snakebite holes added.  These
let you just set the two main levers on the Duo-Art and the accents come
automatically.

Just as well, since manipulating all the D-A controls at once reminds you
that this is a Musical Instrument and you have to Practice!  When I was
actively collecting rolls 20 years ago there were enough Themodist rolls
around to make this a major consideration.

Since I've never seen a book whose author claimed that "System A" was the
best, I'd agree that the three systems equal out in their good and bad
points.  So roll availability may be your deciding factor.

Welte was first, and German, and so features rolls by the late
19th-century masters.  I've heard that Ampico has more pop and dance
music than Duo-Art, but I've seen plenty for the Duo-Art.

Find out which type of rolls is being recut these days -- that may be the
final arbiter.  Good hunting

Mike Knudsen


(Message sent Mon 3 Nov 1997, 21:08:34 GMT, from time zone GMT-0600.)

Key Words in Subject:  Piano, Pianolist, Reproducing, Systems

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page