Joe and List, There is a relatively new text on the subject, a doctoral dissertation with the (I think unfortunate) title of "Off Key" by Laurie Hudicek. Like our video, it incorporates Bunger's book (long out of print) and picks up where it leaves off. Hudicek extensively interviewed many technicians (including yours truly) and new-music pianists. (She also quotes frequently from our video.) Her work is the most up-to-date compendium of what is possible in terms of extended techniques on the piano, dos and don'ts where piano conservation is concerned, and advice on playing techniques (the NTPU equivalent of scales and arpeggios) which we don't address at all in the video. Huducek's work is available through the U of Michigan Press, although, after a long wait and hefty price tag, what you get is a poor photocopy (which renders most of the photos unviewable). I have encouraged her to revise and publish it. Not that it's going to become a best seller, but it does meet a demonstrable need that will probably still be there for decades to come. Another doctoral student recently contacted me about the video with regards to her own dissertation. She is aware of Hudicek's work, and it's hard to imagine what she might do that would be original. We'll see, and I'll keep the list posted. Cheers, Alan Eder Alan, thanks a bunch for your input. I am ordering the Eder viddy plus the Well Prepared Piano (I should, since my brother works at Colorado College). I have a request for further info into the manufacturer regarding the string breakage, but I am interested in investigating as per your advice. By the bye (or however that expression is spelled), I'm not clear on what procedure is needed to determine the scale. Mike the string and measure speaking length? How do you determine the tension? I'm fairly green in this subject, but eager to take it in. Thanks, Joe
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