The Pianolist: A Guide for Pianola Players

"The Pianolist: A Guide for Pianola Players" by Gustav Kobbé is a manual that shows how people can use a Pianola, which is like a player piano, to play music even if they haven't studied music. Written in the early 1900s, the guide says that the Pianola helps make music more open to everyone since you don't have to learn tough skills to play songs. Kobbé talks to regular people and those who really love music, explaining that anyone can make music with this new machine. At the start, he explains why the book is called "The Pianolist," saying that "Pianola" is a well-known name for something that mixes machines with art. He tells stories, like about how his daughter could play hard pieces on the Pianola even without taking lessons, proving it can help anyone enjoy and learn about music. He thinks of the Pianola as a way to understand music better, pushing players to feel the music instead of just playing notes. The book begins with the idea that music is available for everyone to experience and create joyfully.