99% Invisible – 542- Player Piano

Intro

In this episode of “99% Invisible” titled “Player Piano,” host Roman Mars explores the history of the player piano and its connection to the world of music and machines. The episode features the music of Raymond Scott, a once-famous musician from the early 20th century who is now almost completely forgotten. Through the discovery of a forgotten archive of strange musical electronics, the host delves into Raymond Scott’s legacy and the history of electronic music.

Main Takeaways

The Forgotten Musician: Raymond Scott

• Raymond Scott, a famous musician from the early 20th century, is now almost completely forgotten.
• He built a mechanical, early artificial intelligence machine called the Electronium in the 1950s that actually worked.
• Scott’s legacy and the history of electronic music are explored through the discovery of the Electronium.

The Discovery of the Electronium

• Ben, the host of the podcast, discovers a forgotten archive of strange musical electronics.
• Among the machines and tools in the archive, Ben finds a huge hunk of metal encased in wood – the Electronium.
• The Electronium was a machine meant to write songs and was built as part of a confidential agreement between Raymond Scott and Motown Records.

The Attempt to Define the Difference Between Man and Machine

• Raymond Scott’s life traces one of the biggest stories about truth in our world today: the attempt to define the difference between man and machine.
• He was fascinated with machines and electronics, which he saw as a classic battle of mechanical perfection against human error.
• The Electronium was meant as a collaboration between man and machine to automate the crucial part of songwriting: inspiration.

The Rise and Fall of Raymond Scott

• Raymond Scott was a successful composer thanks to his brother’s encouragement.
• He formed a six-piece band that played music with a spark that formed an immediate connection with listeners.
• His rise was stratospheric, and he became the music director of CBS Radio, leading a racially integrated radio orchestra.

The Collaboration with Motown Records

• Raymond Scott showed Barry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, his automatic songwriting machine, which could potentially create hit songs.
• Scott wanted to create a machine capable of making art that expressed a human soul and stirred emotions.
• Motown wanted to automate and make creativity predictable to take uncertainty out of the music business.

Summary

The Forgotten Musician: Raymond Scott

The episode begins by highlighting the forgotten legacy of Raymond Scott, a once-famous musician from the early 20th century. Despite his contributions to music and his innovative work with electronic instruments, Scott has been largely overlooked by history. The discovery of the Electronium, a machine he built in the 1950s, sheds light on his genius and the history of electronic music.

The Discovery of the Electronium

Ben, the host of the podcast, stumbles upon a forgotten archive of strange musical electronics, where he finds the Electronium. This machine, encased in wood and metal, was built as part of a confidential agreement between Raymond Scott and Motown Records. It was meant to write songs and automate the creative process. The discovery of the Electronium opens up a world of exploration into Scott’s musical innovations.

The Attempt to Define the Difference Between Man and Machine

Raymond Scott’s fascination with machines and electronics reflects a larger philosophical question about the distinction between man and machine. The Electronium, as a collaboration between man and machine, aimed to automate the inspiration behind songwriting. Scott’s exploration of this boundary between human creativity and mechanical perfection is a central theme in his life and work.

The Rise and Fall of Raymond Scott

Raymond Scott’s rise to success as a composer and bandleader is explored, showcasing his unique ability to connect with listeners through his music. He formed a six-piece band that played with a spark and energy that captivated audiences. Scott’s achievements, including becoming the music director of CBS Radio and leading a racially integrated radio orchestra, highlight his impact on the music industry.

The Collaboration with Motown Records

Raymond Scott’s collaboration with Motown Records and its founder, Barry Gordy, reveals the desire to automate and systematize hit records. The Electronium, with its potential to create hit songs, represented an attempt to make creativity predictable and remove uncertainty from the music business. The partnership between Scott and Motown Records sheds light on the intersection of technology and creativity in the music industry.

Conclusion

The episode “Player Piano” of “99% Invisible” explores the forgotten legacy of Raymond Scott and his innovative work with the Electronium. Through the discovery of a forgotten archive of musical electronics, the host delves into Scott’s contributions to electronic music and his exploration of the boundary between man and machine. This episode highlights the intersection of technology, creativity, and the quest for perfection in the world of music.