Get ready to kick back, relax, and enjoy the nostalgic tunes of a player piano on Old Time Player Piano Day on May 27! This unique holiday celebrates the iconic musical instrument that became popular in the late 19th century. With its ability to play pre-programmed music using perforated paper rolls, the player piano revolutionized the way people enjoyed music at home. Today, it's a beloved symbol of old-time charm and continues to bring joy to many with its timeless melodies. So gather your friends and family and celebrate this day by listening to some classic tunes or even trying your hand at playing one yourself!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1876</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Player Piano Invention</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first practical player piano was patented by Henri Fourneaux, who invented the "Pianista", a piano player operated using pneumatics.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1897</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Paper Roll Introduction</div><div class='timeline-text'>Melville Clark, an American inventor, popularized perforated paper rolls as a medium to encode information on player pianos.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Player Piano Boom</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 1920s marked a boom in the popularity of player pianos, with homes and business establishments featuring these automatic pianos for entertainment.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1930s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Decline and Revival</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the Great Depression, the player piano market declined. The birth of electronic keyboards in later years led to the revival of player-piano-like instruments.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Player Piano Innovations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Modern player pianos saw many advancements, with digital and MIDI player pianos becoming commonplace—they could replicate human performance with high precision.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Old Time Player Piano Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The day was established to nurture appreciation for player pianos and enjoy the nostalgic songs played by these charming instruments.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw a player piano party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for a themed party celebrating Old Time Player Piano Day. Decorate with music notes and set up a player piano or have a live pianist play old time songs. Don't forget to serve classic piano-themed cocktails.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a historical piano museum</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research and visit a local piano museum to learn about the history of player pianos and see some in action. This is a great way to appreciate the instrument and celebrate its impact on music.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn to play a song on the player piano</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find sheet music for an old time song and try your hand at playing it on a player piano. It may take some practice, but it will be a fun and rewarding experience on this special day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a concert featuring a player piano</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check local event listings for concerts featuring a player piano. This is a unique and entertaining way to celebrate Old Time Player Piano Day while supporting live music.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch an old movie with a player piano soundtrack</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a classic movie from the early 1900s that features a player piano soundtrack and gather some friends for a movie night. It will be a fun and nostalgic way to celebrate this unique holiday.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a way to appreciate vintage music</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Old Time Player Piano Day celebrates the beauty and charm of music from a bygone era. By listening to these tunes, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the skills and talents of musicians from the past.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether it's playing an old-time player piano or simply listening to the music together, Old Time Player Piano Day is a great reason to gather with friends and family. The nostalgic elements of the day can spark conversations and connections between generations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a tribute to innovation in music technology</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Player pianos were groundbreaking inventions in their time, allowing people to listen and interact with music in new ways. By celebrating Old Time Player Piano Day, we honor this important piece of musical history and recognize its impact on modern music technology.</p></div></ div>
Old Time Player Piano Day is celebrated on May 27 every year. In 2024 Old Time Player Piano Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
May 27
Saturday
2024
May 27
Monday
2025
May 27
Tuesday
2026
May 27
Wednesday
2027
May 27
Thursday