[CAUT] Prepared pianos

[Jeff Tanner]

The saxophone professor says, "But so much of our music requires prepared 
piano accompaniment. Why should WE be singled out to use a different piano?"
Tanner

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>
To: <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Prepared pianos


> But it won't have the tone compared to the prepared concert instrument... 
> '-]
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA  94044
>
> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
> From: "Jim Busby" <jim_busby at byu.edu>
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Received: 11/9/2009 10:32:56 AM
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Prepared pianos
>
>
>>Zeno,
>
>>VERY good point. At BYU we have one piano as well. They may NOT use any 
>>other
>>piano.
>
>>Jim
>
>>From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Zeno
>>Wood
>>Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 10:48 AM
>>To: caut at ptg.org
>>Subject: Re: [CAUT] Prepared pianos
>
>>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<mailto: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
>