<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1491" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY id=role_body style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial" bottomMargin=7 leftMargin=7 topMargin=7 rightMargin=7><FONT id=rol= e_document face=Arial color=#000000 size=2> <DIV>Conrad</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There was a series of posts on this several years ago. Using the information from several other CAUT's, I came up with the following policy. = I have never used it, and I don't know if anyone besides me has it, but maybe = you could put it in your information packet. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Wim </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Policy Regarding Prepared Piano Use<BR></DIV> <DIV>Composing music for the prepared piano can be very rewarding. However, = care must be taken that the instructions to the performer do not harm the perform= er, and the piano. Therefore, please read the following with care prior to doing= anything to the piano, other than opening it up, and playing it. </DIV> <DIV><BR>1. All structural changes to any piano must be approved by and in m= ost cases performed by the piano technician. This includes removing the lid or o= ther case parts and attaching anything to strings or soundboard to modify the sou= nd. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2. Marking strings.<BR>Small stickers may be used on dampers or agraffs= to mark notes. Please purchase stickers that are easy to remove such as the sma= ll colored dots. Care must always be used when touching dampers as they are eas= ily 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 ma= y be used to mark steel strings but never the copper wound bass strings.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>3. Striking and plucking strings.<BR>Strings may be struck or plucked w= ith fingers or guitar pick. Other devices must always be a material that will no= t 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 strin= gs must <BR>also be struck or plucked with a material softer than the copper. Acceptable materials include wood, plastic, rubber, etc. Never use a steel chisel on piano strings. As the piano technician, I will be happy to help an= y performer select materials that will not damage the piano.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>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. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>4. Extreme volume.<BR>There is a fine line to be drawn between passiona= te 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.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>5. Common sense.<BR>Most damage to our pianos can easily be avoided by using good judgment. Please consult with the piano technician or piano facul= ty before using unconventional techniques. Usually an alternative can be found = to satisfy both the performer and this policy.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Willem Blees RPT<BR>Piano Tuner/Technician<BR>School of Music<BR>Univer= sity of Alabama<BR></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>