Prepared Piano Guidelines

[Fred Sturm]

	I echo these sentiments. I'll just throw in the notion that the piano 
technician, whether pro or con "extended use" of the instrument, should 
consider posing as an enthusiastic proponent. Ask students to come for 
help, and provide it graciously. I provide materials, like screws and mutes 
and the like, for Cage pieces. At the same time, I educate the student 
about proper ways to install such items so as not to damage damper felts, 
what kind of adhesive devices to use to mark strings or dampers (I strongly 
recommend "Stickie Notes" and provide them, even cut into nice little 
strips or squares), and various other bits of advice (EG, use a piece of 
sharpened brass stock in place of a chisel for "chisel on the strings. 
Sounds better, easier to control, won't damage anything. I provide one).
	As it is well enough known around the department that I even "play inside 
the piano" myself on occasion (Crumb's Voice of the Whale has become almost 
a specialty), my recommendations carry some additional weight. For 
instance, when I say a Steinway D isn't appropriate for such a piece, they 
listen. We do have policies limiting use to a couple instruments.
	For those who doubt the musical value of such uses of the instrument, I 
strongly recommend listening to Crumb's Makrokosmos (Christiane Mathe did a 
marvelous recording on Koch/Schwann) and Cage's Sonata's and Interludes for 
Prepared Piano (Boris Berman did a great complete recording - don't know 
what label). These are, of course, the "Classics" of the genre. And they 
are classics in the true sense of the word, IMO: they have real lasting 
power.
	Bottom line: we are here to serve the needs of the department/school. 
Being inflexible and drawing lines in the sand is counter-productive. 
Certainly we must be advocates for the pianos, and protect them from 
unnecessary damage. But we can best do this by working with, not against.
	End of soapbox spiel ;)
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico

--On Wednesday, March 3, 2004 10:22 AM -0500 "Wolfley, Eric (wolfleel)" 
<WOLFLEEL@UCMAIL.UC.EDU> wrote:

>
>
> I agree with Cassie. There is a small contingent of champions of
> alternative music and I see no problem with trying to accommodate them.
> We keep a "sacrificial" Baldwin M available in a rehearsal room which can
> be wheeled up on stage when needed for prepared pieces. This seems to be
> the best method because the preparations often take a long time and the
> performer needs to practice. Once the preparations are made they can
> leave them in place until they have finished. The concert pianos are off
> limits except for minor plucking and other inside the piano stuff which
> comes up from time to time and then only with my knowledge and approval.
> I find the music interesting and often intriguing. The piano is an
> expressive tool for creative people and if you keep your ears and mind
> open you'll often be rewarded with a musical experience. I've privately
> sent Cassie and John a copy of our guidelines and am willing to share it
> with anyone else who is interested.
>
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> Eric Wolfley
>
> Head Piano Technician
>
> Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
>
> University of Cincinnati
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ---------
>
> Whether or not you consider these people composers, or see a "need" for
> prepared piano is not the point.  The music is out there, and has been
> out there for quite some time now, and I'm very interested in hearing
> what other techs have come up with as far as guidelines on this matter.
> I'm dealing with two teachers in this very situation right now and we're
> doing our best to work together to come up with an agreeable solution.
> It's very true that politics within the institution or between you and
> the teacher determine how well or poorly the situation can go.  Doesn't
> this also depend on how much time we're personally willing/able to spend
> working with the performer/piano to make sure everything goes well?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Cassie Van Gelder
>
>
>
> Resident Piano Technician
>
> Interlochen Center for the Arts
>
> vangeldercj@interlochen.org
>
>
>
>