[CAUT] Prepared pianos

[Alan Eder]

Laurence,


I would be glad to participate.  And, at the risk of wearing his name out, Fred Sturm could bring his valuable dual-perspective (as pianist and technician) to this task as he has to so many others.


Alan Eder


-----Original Message-----
From: Laurence Libin <lelibin at optonline.net>
To: caut <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 6:34 am
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Prepared pianos


Would anyone here like to help update the 'Prepared Piano' entry in Grove?
 
Laurence Libin
Editor-in-Chief
Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments
Oxford University Press
lelibin at optonline.net
  
----- Original Message ----- 
  
From:   Alan Eder   
  
To: caut at ptg.org 
  
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 1:01   PM
  
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Prepared pianos
  


  
  
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 technicians 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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