[CAUT] Prepared pianos

[Alan Eder]

Horace,


Richard was (and, probably still is) a great deal 
of fun; and, writing this, I find myself 
wondering if he might not be available in some 
way to talk about these things.  (He's also one 
of the main living connections with John Cage; 
and has some serious insight as to the performance of Cage's works.)

When we made the NTPU video (16 years ago now!), I was able to consult with him.  As I recall, his surname has changed and he seemed to have moved on from the subject matter.


Alan Eder





-----Original Message-----
From: Horace Greeley <hgreeley at sonic.net>
To: caut <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 6:21 am
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Prepared pianos



Hi,

I was peripherally involved in assisting Richard 
Bunger in developing what became the 
Well-Prepared Piano; and can relate that he took 
exceptional pains to try to include as wide a 
range and domain of preparation techniques as 
were conceivable at the time.  It's pretty clear 
that, in the intervening years, the perceived 
need for doing things that are ever more extreme 
has surpassed even Richard's vivid imagination; 
and, it's probably time for someone who is 
properly located to do some kind of update.  This 
is especially the case as it seems clear that 
more and more pianists know less and less about 
the piano; and, for whatever reasons, less and 
less concerned that whatever they are doing may 
have very serious consequences for anyone else.

It seems to me that we had something like this 
thread a while back and that DavidI (RIP, David), 
had some source for either additional copies of 
Bunger's book and/or PDFs of it.  I hope so, 
quickly checking both Amazon and abebooks.com 
turns up only a limited number of entries, 
starting at $50 (used) and running to $975 (for a 
marked, "retired library" copy...OY!).

Richard was (and, probably still is) a great deal 
of fun; and, writing this, I find myself 
wondering if he might not be available in some 
way to talk about these things.  (He's also one 
of the main living connections with John Cage; 
and has some serious insight as to the performance of Cage's works.)

Best.

Horace




At 10:01 AM 1/31/2011, you wrote:
>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 email blasting us because of our 
>“Prepared Piano Policy” (Attached at the bottom) saying in part:
>
>“
I have consulted with piano techhnicians and 
>have read extensively on the subject, including 
>Richard Bungers The Well-Prepared Piano, 
>etc.  As a performer, inside piano and piano 
>preparation 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 have been doing these things with the 
>pianos I have owned for many years and have never had a problem
”
>
>Any help here??
>
>Thanks!
>Jim Busby BYU
>
>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.
>



 
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