Hi there, this is my second posting to MMD.  The first one was some
time ago, about Red Raven records.

I used to have a Sears stereo turntable, in the early 1970s, with four
speeds: 78, 45, 33-1/3 and 16 rpm.  I've always wondered what the 16
speed was for.  Later, I discovered that some radio transcription
records played at that speed.  They needed a special turntable to
play them, however, as these records are larger than the 12" LPs and
wouldn't fit onto most players.  If this was the only type of record at
16 rpm, I don't know why Sears and other manufacturers would include
this speed.

I did find another use for 16 rpm.  I play the keyboards and, like most
musicians, would try to learn other artists' styles.  When trying to
figure out a keyboard solo that someone played on a 12" LP, I could put
it on the slower speed.  At nearly 1/2 the speed of 33-1/3, the solo
played almost one octave lower and at half-speed, making it easier to
learn the part.

Sharon Marie