This lower mechanism is connected to the upper player action via a series of rubber tubes, so as to create a long, extended chamber of vacuum pressure. When the lower treadles are pumped with the feet (or, in the case of the electric motor, when the suction pump is active), the exhaust bellows drive air out into the atmosphere, creating low pressure and therefore suction inside the pneumatics. The driving force behind the automated playing system is air suction, powered by either an electric motor or foot pedals. The music is read from a roll of paper with holes in it to indicate the position of notes to be played. When the pneumatics are off, the piano can be played manually just like a traditional upright piano, but the piano is also capable of “playing itself” using a pneumatic system to actuate the keys. Still today, they are an impressive feat of engineering. Player pianos were a widespread form of home entertainment in the 20th century. A new gasket had to be made and fitted for the sustain pedal bellows. All of the missing tubing was replaced, and brass fittings that had been broken were replaced and re-glued. On the pneumatic side, the tubing for automatic actuation of the sustain pedal was found to be unhooked and taped over. The piano was also tuned, but this is an ongoing process, as its condition causes it to fall out of tune in a matter of days. This was fixed by carefully putting the springs back into place with needlenose pliers.
This likely happened during transportation at some point in the piano’s life. After some inspection, it was discovered that several of the hammer return springs were pushed out of place and not working correctly. The most immediate concern found was a few keys that stuck down after being pressed. Most of the work done can be divided into two categories: the mechanical parts that would be present on any upright piano, and the pneumatic parts that are only present on self-playing pianos. It showed clear signs of decades of unuse and deterioration. At the start of the project, the piano was playable, but unrestored. This project was unique in that it was a restoration rather than a new design.
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