music roll

American  

noun

1. a roll of perforated paper for actuating a player piano.

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music roll British  

noun

1. a roll of perforated paper for use in a mechanical instrument such as a player piano

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Etymology

Origin of music roll

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

music roll

Harry Truman was the one boy in Independence who never ducked his piano lessons and, worst of all, never seemed to mind being seen with his music roll under his arm.

From Time Magazine Archive

The music roll that he used for a briefcase was found about 30 yards away, rifled of its contents, together with his keys, his money, and a scattered flurry of visiting cards.

From Time Magazine Archive

It's exhausting but cathartic to take one's own first experience of love or jealousy or loss and blow it up wide-screen, cue the music, roll the thunder.

From Time Magazine Archive

All you have to do is to put in the perforated music roll, work the pedals—and the music begins.

From The Pianolist A Guide for Pianola Players by Gustav Kobbé

I couldn't help it; but sunk down on my knees, covered my face with both hands, and let that awful music roll over me.

From Phemie Frost's Experiences by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens