A brief introduction to mechanical musical instruments -- The earliest automatic string-playing musical instruments -- Barrel pianos : their history, development and manufacture -- Mechanical player actions and the birth of the pneumatic player -- The technical evolution of the player piano and its industry -- Perforated music and the wrath of the copyright-holders -- Sales peak, social influence and the decline of the player -- How the pneumatic player piano works -- Expression pianos and electric actions -- Reproducing pianos, their evolution and performance claims -- The music roll, piano repertoire and presentation -- The player-piano in the 21st century : high-points and weaknesses -- Looking after automatic pianos and music rolls : tools and skills needed -- Conserving the barrel piano and adjusting its music -- How to play the player piano artistically -- Roll-playing reed organs : the Aeolian orchestrelle -- Restoring and playing the Aeolian orchestrelle -- Living with the self-playing piano : care and maintenance. -- Appendix 1: How they sold player pianos : the adverts of the day -- Appendix 2: List of makers, main agents, and inventors of player pianos -- Appendix 3: List of principal player piano brand names -- Appdenix 4: Musik roll makers and brand names -- Appendix 5: What is is worth? : valuation & price guide