Abstract: An automated playback system for a wind musical instrument which reproduces the musical performance of the wind instrument with high fidelity. The system comprises a sounding body, a piston, a signal-driven actuation means, a signal playback means and a drive signal. In one or more embodiments, the sounding body has a shape related to a wind musical instrument and has a sleeve opening which houses a piston; an electro-dynamic actuation means motivates a piston using a unique armature structure; a signal playback means provides a drive signal related to a measurement of the internal air column acoustic pressure of a wind instrument while played by a human player. Embodiments of the invention provide a convincing reproduction of a live musical performance and can be used in situations ordinarily requiring a human performer, offering a distinct advantage.