John Wolff's Web Museum

14-note Organette Music

This page presents a small collection of 14-note organette music from the 1880s, preserved in computer format as freely downloadable MIDI files.

These rolls and "tune sheets" from my own collection have been transcribed by hand or scanned electronically into computer MIDI format. They have then been edited to remove the effects of age and wear, and to correct timing and punching errors in the original sheets.

The resulting MIDI files are electronic "master rolls" which conform to the original punching and timing specifications. They can be played directly on a computer or synthesiser, or used with suitable machinery to punch new paper copies.

Note that when playing paper rolls on a real Organette, it takes a finite time for each note slot to pass over the reading apparatus (the "tracker bar"). This lengthens each note by a small amount, and gives a smoother (or more "legato") result than when the MIDI files are played electronically. The difference is noticeable, but does not affect the enjoyment of the music.

Timing data for punching new paper rolls is included in the MIDI file headers. Physical data for the original tune sheets is provided on the 14-Note American Ogranette page.

The relative numbers of popular and religious songs in this collection may suggest something about the nature of American society in the 1880s. It may also indicate that "popular" rolls were played more often, and were damaged and discarded sooner.

Popular Music

Bonnie Louise
Original 14-note tune sheet, maker unknown.
Scanned 8 July 2001, edited 11 June 2005.
Duration 52 sec at tempo 110, length 1.51m.

College Hornpipe
Original 14-note tune sheet, maker unknown.
Transcribed and checked 14 February 2019.
Duration 47 sec at tempo 160, length 1.62m

Emily Polka.
Original 14-note tune sheet, maker unknown.
Transcribed and edited March 2019.
Duration 47 sec at tempo 120, length 1.51m.

Sweet Belle Mahone
Song by J.H.McNaughton, 1867.
Original 14-note tune sheet by Automatic M.P.Co.
Scanned & Edited 13 June 2005.
Duration 52 sec at tempo 110, length 1.82m.

Religious Music

Dare To Be A Daniel.
Hymn by P.P.Bliss, 1873.
Original 14-note tune sheet by Automatic M.P.Co.
Scanned & edited 10 June 2005.
Duration 27 sec at tempo 140, length 1.0m.

Draw Me Nearer.
Hymn "I am thine, O Lord" by Fanny Crosby, 1875, generally known
as "Draw me nearer" (from the first line of the chorus).
Original 14-note tune sheet, maker unknown.
Transcribed and edited 25 February 2019.
Duration 38 sec at tempo 100, length 1.2m.

Glory Glory Hallelujah.
Original 14-note tune sheet by Automatic M.P. Co.
Copyright stamp: Brainard's Sons, Cleveland and Chicago.
Transcribed & checked 22 February 2019.
Duration 34 sec at tempo 110, length 1.20m.

Hold The Fort.
Hymn by P.P. Bliss, Copyright 1870 by Root & Cady.
Original 14-note tune sheet by Automatic M.P. Co.
Scanned and edited 10 June 2005.
Duration 29 sec at tempo 130, length 1.00m.

I Want To Be An Angel.
Children's hymn by Miss Sidney P. Gill, c.1854.
Original 14-note tune sheet, maker unknown.
Scanned & edited 11 June 2005.
Duration 36 sec at tempo 130, length 1.25m

Ring The Bells Of Heaven
Hymn by Cushing/Root, 1866.
Original 14-note tune sheet, maker unknown.
Scanned & edited 10 June 2005.
Duration 34 sec at tempo 110, length 1.20m.

Spanish Hymn
Traditional Spanish tune, also known as hymn tune "Madrid".
Original 14-note tune sheet by Mechanical Orguinette Co., N.Y.
Scanned & edited 10 June 2005.
Duration 31 sec at tempo 120, length 1.21m.

Sun Of My Soul
Hymn by John Keble, 1820, to tune "Hursley".
Original 14-note tune sheet in poor condition, maker unknown.
Transcribed & checked 6 February 2019.
Duration 23 sec at tempo 120, length 1.20m.

Sweet Hour Of Prayer
Hymn by W.W.Walford, 1845.
Original 14-note tune sheet by Automatic M.P.Co.
Scanned & Edited 10 June 2005.
Duration 42 sec at tempo 70, length 1.25m.

Whiter Than Snow
Hymn by Nicholson/Fischer, 1872.
Original 14-note tune sheet by Automatic M.P.Co.
Transcribed & checked 6 February 2019.
Duration 36 sec at tempo 120, length 1.38m.