Ref.: Animated Keys of an Upright Pianola

Some manufacturers went to quite extensive lengths to ensure that the
keys stayed still, even for instruments with the player action under
the keybed.

The Lexow (Berlin) catalogue of 1911 has no less than 13 different
designs of 'special levers for player pianos' that transfer the
player's movement to the piano action.  One of these designs involves
a separate lever sitting on top of the piano key, hinged at one end
and with the player acting at the other end.  When the player operates
the lever rises and operates the piano action, but it doesn't bring the
key with it.  (I'll send a scan for the MMD archive.)

My German-built Steck was made just before WW1 and, like most (all?)
Aeolian uprights with top player actions, its keys are weighted not to
move -- yet the instrument still has a key lock, presumably to stop any
unsightly residual twitches.

Julian Dyer

 [ Thanks, Julian, I'll place the image at the MMD Pictures site,
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Gallery/Pictures/index.html  -- Robbie