Since we've designated one piano the "prepared piano", there has been almost no monkeying with the other pianos. Now I don't find green sharpie markings on the dampers, dampers sticking up like a saguaro cactus, or dead rattling bass strings. I give a presentation to the composers every semester or so, and the composition faculty are really happy. Admittedly, the designated piano is one in pretty wretched shape, really way overdue for a complete rebuilding job, but with the budget the way it is, it's good serving in its present capacity. I've found spilling of food and drink to be more of a threat, and harder to reason with. Students are, after all, entitled to their slurpees, lattes, and pizzas, at all times. I sometimes think about walking into a practice room and putting my coffee cup down on someone's violin. I mean, [to be said with incredulous outrage] where else am I supposed to put it down? Zeno Wood Brooklyn College On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 12:02 PM, Jim Busby <jim_busby at byu.edu> wrote: > All, > > One prominent composer wrote (and many share the belief) that the piano is > just another percussion instrument. Some of the pieces are actually quite > remarkable (Cage, Crumb) in their outcome. But education seems to be the > only thing that "helps" our cause of protecting the piano. In the 3 years > since its adoption we've had zero incidences of abuse of damage to the > piano. > > FWIW, here it is; > > Prepared Piano Policy > > A "prepared piano" is a piano that has been modified with objects placed in > it in a very special way as dictated by a composer of a "prepared piano" > composition. This is a valid practice, but may only be done as prescribed > below, and only on a piano designated by Piano Shop technicians and under > their supervision: > > 1. All structural changes to any piano must be approved by and, in most > cases, performed by a Piano Shop technician. This includes removing the lid > or other case parts and attaching anything to strings or soundboard to > modify the sound. > 2. Marking strings. Small stickers may be used on dampers or agraffes to > mark notes. Please purchase stickers that are easy to remove such as the > small colored dots. Care must always be used when touching dampers as they > are easily bent. Never use masking tape or any other adhesive that may leave > a residue. The performer is responsible for removing any stickers > immediately after any performance. There should be nothing applied directly > to the strings. This includes white-out, tape, stickers, nail polish, etc. > In some cases chalk may be used to mark steel strings but never the > copper-wound bass strings. > 3. Striking and plucking strings. Strings may be struck or plucked with > fingers or guitar pick. (Since oil from the skin can tarnish strings please > wash hands well before touching any string.) Other devices must always be of > a material that will not mar or scratch strings. On steel strings, only > materials that are softer than the steel string may be used, such as brass > or aluminum. Copper-wound bass strings must also be struck or plucked with a > material softer than the copper. Acceptable material includes wood, plastic, > rubber, etc. Piano Shop technicians are available to help the performer > select materials that will not damage the piano. In some cases, literature > calls for the insertion of screws or mutes between piano strings. Again, a > material softer than the string must be used, such as brass or aluminum. > 4. Extreme volume. There is a fine line to be drawn between passionate > musical expression and outright banging on a piano. Please use good judgment > when playing above a forte. Harsh playing is damaging and will not be > tolerated. > 5. Common sense. Most damage to pianos can easily be avoided by using > good judgment. Please consult with the Piano Shop technician before using > unconventional techniques. Usually, an alternative can be found to satisfy > both the performer and this policy. > > Remember that a "prepared piano" is a special preparation required for a > "prepared piano composition", and except for this unusual circumstance > pianos should only be used in the "normal" way > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20091109/19c62a2a/attachment.htm>
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