The player Tonette is to the Tonette (pictured below) as the player piano is to the piano. The holes in the 8-level paper tape trigger electromagnetic "fingers" and also a throttle valve between the compressed air source below the table and the mouthpiece of the tonette. Another view. |
The Tonette was introduced in the late 1930's by Gibson Musical Instruments as a low-cost pre-band instrument for grammar school students. I recall the sessions our class had in I think the third grade. |
