David, This is a policy I wrote years ago. I've posted it here a couple of times and some folks have used it and improved on it. You're welcome to do either. People always laugh at the sentence, "never use a steel chisel on a piano". That came about because a score actually called for it specifically. Chris Policy Regarding Prepared Piano Use revised 3-11-2002 1. All structural changes to any piano must be approved by and in most cases performed by the piano 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. On bass strings the performer may tie a small length of thread to the string to mark a string or harmonic. 3. Striking and plucking strings. Strings may be struck or plucked with fingers or guitar pick. Other devices must always be 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 include wood, plastic, rubber, etc. Never use a steel chisel on piano strings. I will be happy to help any 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 our pianos can easily be avoided by using good judgment. Please consult with the piano technician or piano faculty before using unconventional techniques. Usually an alternative can be found to satisfy both the performer and this policy. On Nov 9, 2009, at 1:28 PM, David Ilvedson wrote: > I'm searching for a guideline to preparing pianos safely...I know > this has been talked about but I couldn't search it on the CAUT > site... > > David Ilvedson, RPT > Pacifica, CA 94044 Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T. Registered Piano Technician School of Music, Ohio University Rm. 311, Robt. Glidden Hall Athens, OH 45701 Office (740) 593-1656 Cell (740) 590-3842 fax (740) 593-1429 http://www.ohiou.edu/music -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20091110/8730c227/attachment-0002.htm> -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: policy regarding prepared p.cwk Type: application/octet-stream Size: 31605 bytes Desc: not available URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20091110/8730c227/attachment-0001.obj> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20091110/8730c227/attachment-0003.htm>
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