Why are we interested in them?
Do they still work after all these years?
So all these pianos are museum pieces?
I’ve got a pianola – what can the NWPPA offer me?
We are a group of around 80 enthusiasts dedicated to the preservation of player pianos, reproducing pianos and similar instruments. The NWPPA was founded in 1972 when a small group of around 15 people interested in 'Pianolas' met to share their interest at a private house near Manchester. Many of this first group are still members, although unfortunately the original driving power behind these early meetings, our Founder Walter Williams, 'stopped pedalling' in 1995 and is missed by us all.
They are self-playing pianos, normally operated from a perforated paper roll. Some, such as the “Pianola”, are operated by foot power; others are electrically operated. Most date from the years 1900-1930. Click here for more background about the pianos and their music, and here for an animated description of how they work
Mainly because they are tremendous fun! People have various reasons for their interest – for some the interest is musical, for others the interest lies in the amazingly ingenious mechanisms upon which they are based, and for many it both these reasons. Quite a number of members are also interested in related instruments such as organettes, roll-playing accordions (Tanzbars), fairground/street organs etc.
Sometimes they do, but more often they need at least some painstaking restoration. However, while this needs care and appropriate techniques and materials, such work is not especially difficult. Many of our members have built up the skills required to keep these interesting instruments playing as they were intended – in many cases sounding virtually indistinguishable from a live performance.
Not all – some of our members have both original instruments from the early 20th century and modern computer-controlled instruments such as the Yamaha Disklavier. Both kinds of instrument give very convincing performances provided they are in good condition.
Membership of the NWPPA involves:
Ring our membership secretary for a membership pack on 0161 9280188
IAJ 13/4/05