Klarinet Archive - Posting 000394.txt from 2000/10

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Real musicians don't.....
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 19:23:41 -0400

At 05:56 PM 10/8/2000 CDT, Michael Lawrence wrote:
>What is a nickelodeon? The first thought that crossed my mind was the
>television station, but somehow I doubt that is what you were refering to:).
>
It is basically a player piano with additional items, played through the
punched paper roll pneumatic system. Typical instruments include drums and
cymbals, xylophones, and organ pipes, in addition to the piano. There was
even one company, the Mills Novelty Company, that made a device called the
Violano Virtuoso, which played one or even TWO VIOLINS in addition to
piano! Solenoids operated many "fingers" along the fingerboard. The
strings were kept taught with WEIGHTS, not just tuning pegs, allowing them
to compensate somewhat for atmospheric conditions. The strings were played
with rosined wheels which sped up and slowed down, creating expression.
The tailpiece moved back and forth, causing a vibrato effect. What an
amazing technological marvel, although as a musical instrument it still
left something to be desired! Once electronic amplification came into use,
the juke box rendered all these items obsolete.

Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://homepages.go.com/~zoot14/zoot14.html
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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