Typology of piano rolls
Like in pianola typology, piano rolls differ by use, because they were adapted to the type and scale of the pianola and thus often specifically designed by each manufacturer.
The large number of piano rolls may be distinguished by the following characteristics:
types of piano rolls
Type of roll
(marked-up rolls, arranged rolls, recorded rolls)
Scale
(Standard: 65 note and 88 note, and by manufacturer: 72 note, T98, T100, etc.)
Style
(by manufacturer: Aeolian, Hupfeld, Welte, QRS, Ampico, etc.)
Different types of rolls
The type of rolls describes the origin of the piano roll. Although all kinds of terms were used by the manufacturers for commercial purposes, two types of rolls may be basically distinguished: the marked-up piano rolls and the recorded piano rolls.
Plotted piano rolls
Plotted piano rolls were identically copied by "musical editors" from sheets straight onto the piano rolls. These rolls were meant to provide the pianolist with the greatest possible freedom in performing this piece of music. Different rolls of the same pieces are already found, because the notation was dependent on the edition of the respective piece. There is a very great number of plotted rolls for 65, 72 and 88 note systems. This type of roll became predominant especially in the USA. It is still possible in principle to punch a piece note by note from sheet onto a master roll. Although that requires a lot of time, we can offer this service to you on request.
Recorded piano rolls
Recorded piano rolls were made by recording the original play of a pianist at special recording grands and by post processing these. Most of these rolls were provided with a copy of the pianist's signature to document that this roll contained the play of this pianist. Hupfeld called these rolls künstlernotenrollen, or artist's piano rolls. Welte published only recorded rolls. Aeolian labeled them "hand played". In whatever way the recording was realized - a good quality provided - the decisive feature of any roll was the high-quality post processing, including the cooperation of the pianist/composer. Post processing therefore produced some rolls of really good results. According to my experience, almost any roll of Hupfeld DEA and Triphonola is of very high quality, while Welte may either have fantastic rolls or rather mediocre conversion quality. The subjective impression, though, is the prime motivation for any joy of music.
Recording grand pianos
Unfortunately, no recording grand pianos survived the wars, and privacy considerations prevented construction or patent documents from being published, so that it is not entirely known how exactly the recording process was performed. More detailed descriptions are only available from Ampico and Duo-Art. Welte and Hupfeld provided the experts merely with educated guesses about the most likely way of the piano roll recording process. An original Hupfeld catalog from England gave the accompanying description, this is the most detailed publication on this subject by the manufacturer. It is safe to assume that not only the keys played, the tempo and the use of pedals were recorded, but also the dynamic and accentuation. In addition there were musical experts in the room, that took notes during the perfomance of the artist - sometimes being added later to the master roll.
Recording technology
GThe research on the miracles of the recording technologies has been intensified again during the last youple of years. A special perspective in doing so are the studies on ways of interpretation. The suisse museum Musikautomatenmuseum in Seewen in cooperation with some universities is working on these subjects. The presumably only existent Welte recording device can be seen in this museum. It is a recording device having been used for organ recordings. Some pictures of it can be seen here (source: website of the museum). However this recording device doesn't tell how piano music has been recorded - there are some similarities that were most likely used by Welte for piano recordings as well. Still a miracle is the recording of the dynamics. Regarding Hupfeld, there are some details about the recording technology documented by Ludwig Riemann. As a top-ranking scientist in piano music he published some very interesting books, i.e. on the nature pf piano sound and the (musical) value of player pianos. Ludwig Riemann writes, that he had been present during one of the recording sessions of Edvard Grieg, looking carefully at the recording mechanism details. Some of his insights he wrote about in his books - as you can seen some excerpts here.
Recording technology
Arranged piano rolls
Arranged piano rolls are plottted piano rolls that, other than the sheet, already contained features of performance (changing tempo, shortenings, supplements, octave doubling, etc.). The piano rolls that Igor Stravinsky composed or arranged exclusively for Pleyela are notorious, for example. Hence, the term "artist's roll" was sometimes used for arranged piano rolls, too. Reproduction rolls are recorded piano rolls that contain all data on accentuation. There are many other names for special variations of the piano rolls, for example:
Dance rolls - with pieces played for dancing
Accompaniment rolls - with piano accompaniment to a song
Practicing rolls - for learning piano or pianola play
Scale rolls - used for testing/setting the pianola
Demo rolls - containing excerpts of many pieces for demonstration purposes
Image rolls - including images and texts on the piece beside the notes
Study rolls - containing additional details on the composition or performance
etc. …
Scale of piano rolls
The scale of a pianola describes the structure or scope of sound and control that is made available at the tracker bar by holes. Here you may find details on the scale of the pianola. In the following you can learn about the different roll scales by pictures and short descriptions. The accompanying overview provides some basic data on the piano rolls - both are helpful if you want to determine the type of a piano roll.
Styles of piano rolls
The very great number of different piano roll types, manufacturers and varieties require that you will [only?] find information about the most important or most frequent variations here. Each manufacturer designed the style of piano rolls individually - besides the attempt to find distinctive features, the purpose was as well to circumvent existing patents. The rolls differed quite in any respect from each other, whether choice and treatment of paper, choice of the reel core and the flanks, the design of the roll's beginning, the shape of the punching (hole diameters of 1.5 mm for DUCA, up to 2.7 mm for DEA), the paper width, cardboard design and inscription etc. There was a great number of piano roll manufacturers, because this was for some time a very rewarding business. In addition, some instrument manufacturers sold the piano rolls of other manufacturers under their own trade name (p. e. Broadwood rolls, based on Aeolian).
Styles of piano rolls photos
65 Note Pianola Piano rolls by Aeolian
Piano rolls with the Aeolian 65 note scale were marketed by Aeolian in America since 1897, applying the pianola as a push-up player, thus preceding the Hupfeld Phonola on the German market. These piano rolls were still offered much after the 88 note piano rolls had prevailed, because a lot of 65 note systems were still owned by the customers. These piano rolls are available with wooden or plastic flanks. Both sides feature metal spikes for insertion into the piano roll box.
65 Note Pianola Piano rolls by Aeolian photos
72 Note Phonola Piano Rolls by Hupfeld
The Phonola piano rolls with the 72 note scale were sold since 1902, first only as marked-up rolls and after 1905 also as recorded artist's rolls. These artist's rolls feature mostly roll numbers higher than 12,000, often also the signature as well as sometimes a photo of the playing artist. The paper has a "Phonola" watermark and the production date at the back of the beginning. Hupfeld Phonola rolls have wooden flanks and metal spikes on both sides for insertion into the piano roll box. These rolls are attached onto the lower reel and unwind upwards, therefore the roll label is accordingly arranged.
72 Note Phonola Piano Rolls by Hupfeld photos
88 Note Animatic Piano Rolls by Hupfeld
The Hupfeld piano rolls with the 88 note scale were introduced in 1912 and labeled with the registered trade mark "Animatic". These piano rolls do not only address all the 88 tones but also contain control information for the sustain pedal and accentuation (Solodant). The cardboards of Hupfeld Animatic piano rolls are mostly green - the beginnings are often also made of green paper. Recorded Animatic rolls are labeled "Künstlerrolle", most often including the name and now and then a photo of the artist.
88 Note Animatic Piano Rolls by Hupfeld photos
88 Note Piano Rolls by Aeolian and Other Manuf.
Many piano rolls of different manufacturers were introduced to the market in the 88 note standard format. Among them, of course, the Aeolian Company. In Germany you will mostly find rolls from the production in "Great Britain". More often, piano rolls of S.M., Kastner, Meloto, Philag, Empeco, Triumphola, etc. are available - the rolls of many other international manufacturers like F.I.R.S.T., Victoria, Melographic, Eighty-Eight, Vocalstyle, Universal, Odeola, Pleyela, L'E.M.P., Chase&Baker, Rolla Artis, Artona, Play-Rite, Artistyle, Perfecta, Angelus Melodant and others are less often found. Quality and design of the piano rolls are very diversified. Some rolls were short-lived because of bad processing and inferior paper quality. Some rolls are not appealing in terms of music, because the quality of conversion and punching sometimes fell short.
88 Note Piano Rolls by Aeolian and Other Manuf. ph
88 Note Piano Rolls by QRS
QRS began making piano rolls in 1900. This brand is especially worth mentioning, because this is the only company that still exists and offers piano rolls - even though since early 2000 they seem to dwell mainly on their stock. According to them, 1927 was the year of record roll sales: 10 million items! The name QRS was supposedly derived from „Quality Real Service“ - another version says this name originated in the alphabetical mailboxes "Q", "R", "S" that this company used internally. Today, the QRS rolls are recognizable by their red cardboards with the remarkable logo. The rolls are simple but solid and reliably running. The huge repertoire, including titles up to modern pop music, is very interesting. Special editions like the "Christmas rolls", annually released since the early 20th century (green Christmas cardboards) and the artist's rolls "Celebrity Rolls" (golden cardboards) and other offers are worth mentioning here. These rolls can be ordered directly from QRS in the USA, besides the second-hand market.
88 Note Piano Rolls by QRS photos
T100 (Red) Piano Rolls by Welte
Piano rolls for the Welte-Mignon T100 system are mostly called "Welte red" rolls, because their paper was conspicuously red. This piano roll format was first introduced in 1904. There are Welte red rolls in the T100 format or in other paper colors - depending on production site and availability of paper. The mostly wine-red piano roll card boxes that may be opened display on the front side a label with the name Welte-Mignon, the roll number, the title and information on the pianist. The same label is found on the piano roll - because the roll unwinds from bottom to top, the label is turned on its head when the roll is inserted. Some rolls include the production date. A round eye at the beginning serves insertion into the take-up reel. This perceptibly larger roll format can be acquired today as recently punched copies.
T100 (Red) Piano Rolls by Welte photos
T98 (Green) Piano Rolls by Welte
Piano rolls for the Welte-Mignon T98 system, made since 1924, are mostly called "Welte green" rolls because their paper was mostly conspicuously green. The red or wine-red piano roll card boxes display on the front side a label with the name Welte-Mignon, the roll number, the title and information on the pianist. The same label is found on the piano roll - the label is turned on its head when the roll is inserted because the roll unwinds from bottom to top. Some rolls include the production date. A few rolls are only marked with typewriter labels. A round eye at the beginning serves insertion into the take-up reel. This roll format corresponds in size to the 88 note standard format. Welte green piano rolls can be acquired as recently punched copies.
T98 (Green) Piano Rolls by Welte photos
DEA Piano Rolls by Hupfeld
When Hupfeld offered the DEA reproduction system since 1907, it could already fall back on the artist's recordings that had been recorded since 1905. It is little known as well how the recording devices were designed, at any rate, the DEA rolls permitted very good reproductions. The DEA piano rolls are unusually wide. These original piano rolls are very rare - especially as there are even less operational DEA instruments left. Paper (with watermark), reel and sides look very similar to those of the Phonola piano rolls. The mostly wine-red card boxes carry on the front side the label with the roll number, the title and information of the pianist. The same label is found on the piano roll - often besides a photo of the pianist. This roll as well unwinds bottom-top. At the beginning of the roll, the production date is usually found on the back. A hook at the beginning serves insertion onto the take-up reel. DEA rolls are available only as expensive copies in recently punched edition.
DEA Piano Rolls by Hupfeld photos
Triphonola Piano Rolls by Hupfeld
Hupfeld merged in 1919 the improved DEA reproduction system with the possibilities of the 88 note Phonola to develop the Triphonola. The piano rolls for the Triphonola reproduction system are as green as Welte's and based on the standard 88 note format. All information for reproducing the piece is found on the roll, as with the DEA roll. Paper (with watermark), reel and sides look very similar to those of the Hupfeld Animatic piano rolls. A photo in the gallery below shows Triphonola, DEA and Phonola rolls of the same piece. The green card boxes feature on the front side the label with the name Tri-Phonola or Animatic-T, the roll number, the title and information on the pianist. The same label is found on the piano roll - often besides a photo of the pianist. This piano roll unwinds from top to bottom. At the beginning of the roll, the production date is usually found on the back. A hook at the beginning serves insertion onto the take-up reel. Photo 6 in the gallery shows a roll with a take-up pole for insertion into the "revolver system" that could automatically switch the rolls. Triphonola rolls are available as well preserved originals or as recently punched copies.
Triphonola Piano Rolls by Hupfeld photos
DUCA Piano Rolls by Philipps
Philipps launched a system called DUCA that would compete with the Hupfeld DEA and the Welte-Mignon in 1908. DUCA could address one tone more than both competing systems - a minor difference that was much exploited in marketing. The piano rolls of the DUCA are the narrowest version of the reproduction rolls - the argument of Philipps was that the narrower the paper surface was, the less susceptible they were for decay of the paper due to air moisture. The DUCA reproducing rolls often have a conspicuously reddish or pink paper and are easy to recognize by their metal sides, only found with this type of roll. A label with the name „Philipps Reproduktions-Klaviere“, roll number, title, performer and often also the price tag is found on the card box and the piano roll - no photos. A round eye at the beginning serves for hanging into the take-up reel. The DUCA rolls are little available as well preserved originals - nor, basically, as recently punched copies.
DUCA Piano Rolls by Philipps photos
Duo-Art Piano Rolls by Aeolian
Duo-Art rolls of the Aeolian Company are based on the 88 note standard format and have, in addition, the punchings necessary for reproduction. The Duo-Art Piano rolls, hence, can be played back on conventional 88 note standard pianolas - just cover four holes in the bass and descant sections, because these are intended for the accentuation control. The Duo-Art rolls have at the beginning a striking Duo-Art decoration on thicker paper, roll number, title and performer are named in the middle. Some rolls also carry the photo of the pianist a little further above the beginning. The signature of the pianist is often found on the card box in addition to this label, as is in most cases a price tag. The sides are made from black bakelite, like those of the 88 note piano rolls. A round eye at the beginning serves for hanging into the take-up reel. A great number of original Duo-Art rolls is well preserved in America and England - and also as recently punched copies.
Duo-Art Piano Rolls by Aeolian photos
Ampico Piano Rolls by the American Piano Corp.
The Ampico rolls are also based on the 88 note standard format and have, in addition, the punchings necessary for reproduction. The Ampico rolls feature at the beginning a greenish decoration on normal thin, brownish paper that is standard for Ampico, a large statement on the tempo is found in the middle (most other roll types have this printed close to the beginning of the punchings), below is the note "Ampico Recording - For use only on the Ampico Reproducing Piano", the roll number, title and performer. The card boxes are mostly black, the label is at the cardboard front end. The sides of the piano rolls are made of black or brown bakelite like the 88 note piano rolls. A round eye at the beginning serves for hanging into the take-up reel. A great number of original Ampico rolls is well preserved in America and England - and also as recently punched copies.
Ampico Piano Rolls by the American Piano Corp.
Welte-Licensee Piano Rolls of De-Luxe Reproducing
The Welte-Licensee rolls resemble the Duo-Art and Ampico piano rolls, because they are also based on the 88 note standard format. Although Welte patents were used, the punching is differently arranged, so that these rolls will not run on the Welte green system, in spite of the same width. The Welte-Licensee rolls have at the beginning a floral decoration on slightly brownish paper, a statement on the tempo is in the middle, as is the roll number, title and performer, and often also the price. The card boxes are mostly black with the label, remarked because of the De-Luxe emblem, found at the card box' front end. The sides of the piano rolls are made of black or brown bakelite like the 88 note piano rolls. A round eye at the beginning serves for hanging into the take-up reel. A great number of original Welte-Licensee rolls is well preserved in America and England - and also as recently punched copies.
Welte-Licensee Piano Rolls of De-Luxe Reproducing
