[CAUT] Prepared pianos

[Alan Eder]

Any help here??
Yea, Jim: Send him to me!!  


Bunger's book was the (acknowledged) basis of our video, "Non-Traditional Piano Use." It should be abundantly clear to anyone who has read it that the book exists, as does the video, in order to facilitate, "Exploring the extended sound world of the piano and doing so in ways that are piano-friendly."  (These are my words, not Bunger's, but I am confident that he would agree.) 


It is precisely because of the innumerable instances of people doing damage to pianos while using them in non-traditional ways that the book and video exist.


Alan Eder


P. S. I feel your pain.  In the last week alone, we have had not one but TWO instances of unauthorized, surreptitious lid removal, both of which resulted in (avoidable) damage and the pianos having to be taken out of commission for a time.


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Busby <jim_busby at byu.edu>
To: caut <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 4:37 am
Subject: [CAUT] Prepared pianos



All,
 
One of our composition faculty wrote a rather long emailblasting us because of our “Prepared Piano Policy” (Attached at thebottom) saying in part:
 
“…I have consulted with piano technicians andhave read extensively on the subject, including Richard Bungers TheWell-Prepared Piano, etc.  As a performer, inside piano and pianopreparation has been somewhat of a specialty for me for more than twenty years…I know of no evidence that inside piano techniques damage pianos.  I havebeen doing these things with the pianos I have owned for many years and havenever had a problem…”
 
Any help here??
 
Thanks!
Jim Busby BYU
 
Prepared Piano Policy
A “prepared piano” is a piano that has been modifiedwith 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 mayonly be done as prescribed below, and only on a piano designated by Piano Shoptechnicians and under their supervision:
1.  All structural changesto any piano must be approved by and, in most cases, performed by a Piano Shoptechnician. This includes removing the lid or other case parts and attachinganything to strings or soundboard to modify the sound. 
2.  Marking strings.Small stickers may be used on dampers or agraffes to mark notes. Pleasepurchase stickers that are easy to remove such as the small colored dots. Caremust always be used when touching dampers as they are easily bent. Never usemasking tape or any other adhesive that may leave a residue. The performer isresponsible for removing any stickers immediately after any performance. Thereshould 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 steelstrings 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 fromthe skin can tarnish strings please wash hands well before touching anystring.) Other devices must always be of a material that will not mar orscratch strings. On steel strings, only materials that are softer than thesteel string may be used, such as brass or aluminum. Copper-wound bass stringsmust also be struck or plucked with a material softer than the copper.Acceptable material includes wood, plastic, rubber, etc. Piano Shop techniciansare available to help the performer select materials that will not damage thepiano. In some cases, literature calls for the insertion of screws or mutesbetween 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 andoutright banging on a piano. Please use good judgment when playing above aforte. Harsh playing is damaging and will not be tolerated. 
5.  Common sense.Most damage to pianos can easily be avoided by using good judgment. Pleaseconsult with the Piano Shop technician before using unconventional techniques.Usually, an alternative can be found to satisfy both the performer and thispolicy. 
Remember that a "prepared piano" is a specialpreparation required for a "prepared piano composition", and exceptfor this unusual circumstance pianos should only be used in the"normal" way.
 

 
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