(Tracker scale courtesy of Durward Center)

Figure 8. The 75 key roll scale had six perforations to the inch and was 12 7/8 inches wide. Note that all pitch notation is in the German style where a# = b and b = h. This scale uses 52 playing notes and is chromatic, with the exception of the missing lowest F#. There appears to be little order to the note placement on this scale until one realizes that the scale follows the general order of the pipework as it is artistically arranged on the wind chest. This note arrangement on the paper rolls is a direct descendant of the placement of the keys on a pinned cylinder.

In the above tracker scale the various pipe registers are turned on and off by the music roll. The Trompet register, for example, is turned on by hole #3 (f = fortissimo or very loudly), and shut off by hole #1 (p = pianissimo or very softly).

(Note range scale courtesy of Durward Center)

Figure 9. The Cottage Orchestrion series included Styles 1-3 and played the 75 key scale. There are two variations of this scale. Because the Cottage instruments had fewer pipes and a playing range of only 44 notes, a sub category of 75 key rolls was made and designated with the letter “B,” sometimes found stamped on the leader of the roll. The “B” roll scale arrangements only call for notes and registers found in the Cottage organs. The above chart compares the playing range of the “B” scale to the full 75 key scale. The stars show the notes and functions not used on the full scale. Other designations of this scale range have been found infrequently, such as “A” and “AB.”

Concert Orchestrions Styles 4-7 use the entire 75 key scale designated as “F”. This scale utilizes the full 52 note playing range. Other markings found on similar rolls include “C” and “CF.”

(Photograph courtesy of Durward Center)

Figure 10. The roll mechanism pictured above is from an early Welte Style 2 Cottage Orchestrion, which uses a 54 key roll. This smaller roll scale was eliminated in favor of the two category 75 key scale (as shown above in Figure 9).

(Tracker scale courtesy of Durward Center)

Figure 11. The larger orchestrions, Styles 8-10, used a 120 key roll, which was 14 13/16 inches wide. This was a much more elaborate scale with 83 playing notes divided into bass, melody, and counter-melody sections, with a variety of registers and percussions including a glockenspiel, castanets, and two snare drums. As with the 75 key scale, the placement of the notes on the scale follows the placement of the pipework on the wind chest.