player piano

noun

1. a piano that can play automatically when the keys are actuated electronically or by a pneumatic device controlled by a piano roll.

player piano

noun

1. a mechanical piano; Pianola

Word History and Origins

Origin of player piano¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

His parents had a player piano in the living room, and at a young age Rinaudo learned how to service it when it needed repairs.

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Any piece for so many pianos is bound to call to mind Conlon Nancarrow, an American composer who wrote vastly complex music for the player piano.

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He had Steinway program a player piano to perform “Mad Rush” with Glass pounding playing style, and he had his roaming camera observe the big cat’s response to the music.

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There were newfangled inventions: player pianos, phonographs and nickelodeons.

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Glass does appear briefly, in the form of a Steinway Spirio piano — an instrument that can record sound and touch then reproduce it, like an advanced player piano.

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