[CAUT] prepared pianos

[Fred Sturm]

On 11/27/07 3:01 PM, "Kidwell, Ted W" <kidwellt at saclink.csus.edu> wrote:

> Has anyone developed cogent guidelines for the use of University pianos for
> pieces involving extended techniques, prepared piano, and other non-standard
> performances?
> 
> Thanks for the help.
> 
> Ted Kidwell
> California State University, Sacramento
> 
> 
> 
> 
    I'd recommend purchasing the "Non-Traditional Piano Use" video Alan Eder
of Cal Arts made. Email him at <ReggaePass at aol.com>.
    One amendment to the BYU guidelines: Unfortunately, chalk just won't
stay on a string for real life node marking use. I advise using a thin strip
(1/8" or less) of the adhesive part of a Sticky Note or equivalent. Wrap it
around the string and glue to itself. Won't leave a residue, easy to remove
afterwards. But you also need to educate the pianists about such things as
how to insert a screw between strings, retrieve a dropped object, avoid
damper damage, etc. Alan's video does a great job of that kind of thing.
    I'll also reiterate my comment (several times over the years) that many
if not most works using prepared or inside the piano techniques are designed
for more or less the equivalent of a Steinway L, and don't work well on a D
(or other concert 9'). John Cage (prepared) used an O, George Crumb (general
inside the piano techniques) used an L. The geometry involved in getting at
strings, nodes, etc makes a B or D (or various other makes' equivalents) not
a good choice. Some makes have plate struts that get in the way. IOW, it
takes a little planning on the part of the pianist <G>. But a very good case
can be made for advising against use of the concert instrument for many of
these works, based simply on what piano is best for the music.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico