The Invisible Piano Player in Sacramento - WC RagFest

[KawhackitaRag]

I'm glad you still have this video.... though it's from last year, maybe you could link to it from this years' pianino video (you know, the one where the tempo is all haywire) to show that they really CAN sound good?

[joeocho88]

I really like th song!

Wonder what it is?

[tdub1941]

I wish I knew.

[KawhackitaRag]

This tune is "Harmony Blues", by Jens Bodewalt Lampe. (whose most famous tune is "Creole Belles"). It was published in 1917, and the sheet music is available free from the Maine Music Box.

[regregex]

The "ghost" has a very strong hand... Maybe it's an electric action?

[KawhackitaRag]

Actually, it's vacuum-operated. The electric motor only turns the crankshaft for the vacuum pump, and also a pulley which via a belt, turns the music roll frame. The vacuum reads the music roll and plays the notes just like a regular home player piano (and also operates soft pedal, sustain pedal, mandolin effect and tambourine, plus the mechanical rewind and shutoff functions).

[HarborGuy]

It's all done with a lot of "hot" air lol - the first computers really.....

[iterlimen]

It's wonderful.

Congratulations...!

[Gokeroxe]

uuuuh....you inserted a coin...thats not a ghost...you know that?

DUH!

[tdub1941]

Dear Gokeroxe,

Golly Gee Whiz! Why didn't I figure that out. You must be some kind of genius with an extremely high IQ or something. Thanks for solving this for me. I never much beleived in ghosts anyway. Now I can rest easier as a result of your profound observation.

tdub1941

[FearRain]

OWNED!!!!

[pianoman1984]

would you think so? I believe its truly a ghost ;-)

[tdub1941]

It was most definitly a ghost. I spoke with her after the performance and got her autograph. She was definitly a fine looking ghost wearing a low cut white sheet and cotton balls pinned in her hair.

[KawhackitaRag]

Maybe it's a Wurlitzer Pianino?

[tdub1941]

Where is he?