Maple Leaf Rag

A lot of younger viewers wanted to know what makes this piano work so... here it is the Kimball Electramatic "uncovered". Playing is" Maple Leaf Rag" played by Scott Joplin. It was originally released on the Connorized Label but, QRS acquired the rights and released it as Roll #9726.

This particular Electramatic was built in the mid 1960's and still works pretty well. Once the "Play" button is pushed, all functions run automatically including the roll stop, re-roll and re-roll stop. After the roll stops playing, the vacuum motor shuts down. This is pretty much the way the classic player pianos of the 1910's - 1940's worked if they had the auto play controls or have been upgraded to do so.

I am praying that the proposed stimulus package will provide me with additional discretionary income so I can get my hands on a restored classic upright. If I have a windfall, I'll have a MIDI driven system installed so I can play using either rolls or MIDI files. Awesome huh?

UPDATE: The this piano died today (02-03-09) and will not be repaired due to lack of parts and service availablity. It's fate is in the air and I am now closer to my dream of a real classic player piano. At least I have the videos to remind me of what fun it was while it lasted. R.I.P.

UPDATE #2: The Kimball has gotten a reprieve! After a little tinkering around, I think I have isolated the problem and it's up an running again. Not having any technical manuals for this piano makes it tough and a lot of trial and error is required to diagnose problems. Unlike the 100% pneumatic type player systems, this can not be stopped in the middle of a roll and restarted again. I am at the mercy of an electronic control box that only knows how to do two things.... either play or not play!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Maple Leaf Rag
• Scott Joplin
• player piano
• piano music
• ragtime

[pm0501]

It's up an running again! I videotaped a bunch more tumes which I will post soon. I'm going to get as much as I can out of this thing while it lasts!

[pm0501]

It isn't as bleak as first thought. I've isolated part of the problem and it is playing again but, I have an air leak somewhere between #27 & #34. I'll crawl around on the floor and see if there's a tube that's lost it's grip. In the meantime... I AM searching for an old classic within my current budget. Thanks for the sympathy... it is greatly apprecuiated :-)

[er10b]

That's how fast my mum plays the same tune on a regular piano.

[iterlimen]

Fantastic.. but too fast...

[charpini]

sorry, it's a tat too fast! slow down

[presidentXbloxxer]

I going on Sunday To Tape Record me Playing It at Church hehe almost as good as The Man Himelf/Scott joplin

[Acidic0man]

awesome

[Huckabeezer]

What a shame to read your update. I do hope you get something new!