Re: Orchestrions and Nickelodeons Definition
By Bob Conant
In a message dated 96-09-29 06:03:16 EDT, you write:
>
> My novice question of the day: Are nickelodeons and orchestrions the
> same thing?
>
> Pete Docter
> doc@pixar.com
>
Pete,
Welcome aboard. I am a big Disney fan myself and love those audio animatronics figures.
Generally, both nickelodeons and orchestrions are coin operated player pianos plus other features and functions. The so-called nickelodeons were generally a coin operated piano with a mandolin rail (rinky tink sound) and sometimes with a rank of pipes or a xylophone. An orchestrion would have included, in addition, several percussion devices, sometimes added instrumentation and sometimes an alternate solo instrument. As an example, my Link AX orchestrion includes: piano, mandolin rail, reiterating xylophone, three beater snare drum, triangle, tom tom, tambourine and chinese wood blocks. Coinola O roll instruments and Seeburg H rolls include solo instruments that will play separately from the piano. In non-solo instruments the piano plays along with any other instrument such as pipes or xylophone that is playing.
There is also a European class of orchestrion which may or may not have a piano included. These are very large and ornate machines that were used in dance halls and restaurants and generally have many more pipes then American orchestrions.
The term nickelodeon was originally used to describe the early versions of movie theatres. These were just a storefront operation or even a tent with a facade where they would play the very early silent movies. Often, a coin piano would be placed at the entrance to attract customers and generally provide some sound while the movie was played. Later, in specially built theaters, pianos, player pianos and special pianos called "photo players" which had sound effects along with piano and organ were used to provide an accompaniment to the movies. Meanwhile the coin pianos in the lobby were referred to as nickelodeon pianos and were later moved down the street to the saloons and bordellos where they got much more play time.
Hope this answers the question. I would also refer you to Q. David Bowers' "Put Another Nickel In", Harvey N. Roehl's "Player Piano Treasury" and Bowers' "Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments".
Bob Conant
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(Message sent Sun 29 Sep 1996, 19:02:43 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.) |
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