[CAUT] Prepared pianos

[Jim Busby]

Thanks Fred.

The pictures don't do justice to it, but it got the point across.

Go you think it feasible to take Alan's video, Brunger, and write a CAUT recommended list?

Jim

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Fred Sturm
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 6:48 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Prepared pianos

On Jan 31, 2011, at 6:21 PM, Jim Busby wrote:


Actually, I think that touching the strings was the problem. Crayon and dirty fingers? I can't see how else they could make the strings that dirty. You're right about the word usage though. It could be better. Thanks for the suggestions. And yes, I guess I was overreacting, as usual. But what I would have LIKED to have written would involve removing fingers and putting them up certain orifices.  :-)

            What you did write, though, was essentially the piano technician putting a blanket ban on inside the piano and prepared piano. "Please don't touch the strings or dampers." That pretty well rules everything out, doesn't it? (even if you tell them to let the piano techs help). The composition prof's response was a very natural one.
            Charles Ball's post lays out the reality, and recommends the practical attitude to take, extremely well. I'll just add some specific advice for this kind of thing. If you are seeing strings marked with an inappropriate material, you need to try to communicate with those who are doing it, and probably the profs involved as well (doesn't have to be personal, just the group that is likely to be involved). Having pointed out the damage done, it really makes sense to offer an alternative. What would be acceptable? The printed policy is pretty unhelpful, as it just barely sorta kinda allows chalk to be used maybe. Chalk does not mark strings well unless they are rusty enough. It won't mark most of the plain strings in NM: too shiny, won't stick, if it does will disappear with the first use (finger on that node). I imagine Utah is the same. So you need to be proactive and have something workable to offer in place of the crayon. I know, it isn't really your job, but it is good policy.
            The advice to take pictures is an excellent one. Then post them in an email and/or bulletin board showing what has happened, with a word or two about it. It is a good idea to try to make as if you are on the side of those doing the inside the piano stuff, telling them that they need to be careful so those "other guys" (administration, piano faculty) won't put a bunch of restrictions on it. That makes it more likely that you will be consulted, and probably ends up with more responsible behavior and communication.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
fssturm at unm.edu<mailto:fssturm at unm.edu>
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." Twain

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20110202/8621662c/attachment.htm>