These were used in “Player Pianos”. The piano roll is a continuous roll of paper with perforations. The roll was inserted into the piano and moved over a tracker bar reading system. Each perforation triggered a key on the piano thus creating a musical melody. Each roll contained a separate song. Piano rolls were continuously mass produced from about 1896 until 2008.
PIANO ROLL
About the Author: Bill Leaver
Bill Leaver has been associated with the Behnke Museum since it opened in 2003. He was named as Director/Curator in 2013.