How to Play the Calliope

Joshua Stoddard built the first calliope in 1855. He used a manifold, tubing and some piano keys to create the unusual sound of a musical whistle. Steam escaping through brass pipes created the easily identifiable sound. The calliope became a familiar sight at parades, circuses, fairs, amusement parks and on riverboats. Learn to play or operate a calliope.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Sit with your legs in front of the instrument to play a calliope. The placement of the manifold won't allow you to put your legs underneath the keyboard.
2. Press the keys with your fingers. This action pulls on the wires that run from the keys to the valves; the valves open and allow steam to release through the hole in the pipes causing a musical whistling sound.
3. Expect to spend considerable time learning the keyboard and adjusting to the pressure. Playing the piano does not guarantee success on the calliope.
4. Adjust to the variations in models and calliope styles. The instruments change according to the number of keys, and the construction affects the sound and its quality.
5. Use player rolls to operate the calliope without the aid of a person on the keyboard. Pick out a song and place the scroll on the mechanism according to the calliope's instructions.
6. Learn how to play or operate the calliope while the instrument is in motion. Frequently the calliope is moving down the street on a trailer as the musician entertains crowds of people.
7. Play the calliope as it moves down the street on an ornate carved and painted horse-drawn wagon. This mounted calliope often plays automatically.