How Do You Spell PIANO ROLLS?

Pronunciation: [pɪˈanə͡ʊ ɹˈə͡ʊlz] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "piano rolls" is based on the English language and the IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced as [pi'æno̞ rəʊlz] and is spelled with the combination of the characters "piano" and "rolls". The first part, "piano", is pronounced as [pi'æno̞], and the second part, "rolls", is pronounced as ['rəʊlz]. The word refers to the scrolls that were used to control the notes played by a mechanical piano, commonly found in the early 1900s. Today, piano rolls are primarily used as collectors' items or as a way to preserve early recordings.

PIANO ROLLS Meaning and Definition

1. Piano rolls refer to a form of musical notation used in player pianos, which are mechanical instruments that can automatically play music without human intervention. These rolls were commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

   A piano roll is essentially a long strip of paper that is perforated with holes, corresponding to specific musical notes and their durations. The perforations on the roll determine which notes are played when the roll is fed into a player piano. As the roll moves over the instrument's mechanism, small mechanical fingers or hammers strike the corresponding strings or keys to produce the desired sound.

   Piano rolls were created by individuals who transcribed music into the perforations, either by manually punching the holes or using specialized machines. These rolls were typically manufactured and sold commercially, allowing music to be distributed easily and played accurately on player pianos.

   One advantage of piano rolls was that they could capture the expressive nuances of a professional pianist's performance. Many well-known pianists recorded their music on piano rolls, allowing audiences to enjoy their music even in the absence of a live performance.

   While piano rolls are no longer widely used today due to the advancements in recording technologies, they played a significant role in the dissemination of music, particularly before the widespread popularity of phonograph records. They also serve as valuable historical artifacts, providing a glimpse into the musical traditions and performances of the past.

Etymology of PIANO ROLLS

The term "piano rolls" originated from the combination of two words: "piano" and "rolls". Here is the etymology of each word:

1. Piano: The word "piano" is derived from the Italian term "pianoforte", which means "soft-loud". It was named so because this musical instrument had the ability to produce both soft and loud sounds, unlike its predecessor, the harpsichord. The term "pianoforte" was shortened to "piano" in common usage.

2. Rolls: The word "rolls" refers to a cylindrical or tube-shaped object that is capable of being wound or unwound. It originally comes from the Old English word "rolla", meaning "rolled-up piece of parchment or paper". Over time, the term has come to represent various objects, including musical rolls.