Name calling is not necessary, nor appreciated, on this list in order to make a point. And just because your taste in music is narrow minded does not mean that the music you are unable to appreciate should not be considered music(al). There is a lot more out there than just 12 tone western. And just because an instrument is "designed" to function one way should not limit the player in his/her quest to make it produce non-traditional sounds. Are you against guitar players that also thump their guitar for percussion sounds? Why should a piano player limit themselves to what 200 years of tradition and culture have to offer? There is a place for John Cage whether or not you can appreciate his music. Don't dis Stephen Scott's bowed piano compositions just because the piano is being played non-traditionally. There is such a large audience for microtonal music that Sauter even manufactures a 1/16 tone microtonal piano. (see link below) In other words, you get to not like whatever you want. And you are entitled to your opinions. I would like to suggest, however, that the pianoTech forum is not a place where you get to throw epithets at that those of us that DO appreciate, or perform, these alternative definitions of music. http://www.sauter-pianos.de/english/pianos/microtone.html -- Geoff Sykes -- Assoc. Los Angeles -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Stéphane Collin Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 11:19 AM To: Pianotech List Subject: * Re: preparations Hi Tish. I do like (some) contemporary music. But I must confess that I always have the same reaction in this kind of situation, that is, when a composer or a performer decides to go beyond the limits of an instrument. Those soprano singers who try their guts to get above that contra ut in Mozart's "Reine de la Nuit", those fagott players who want to reach a note a semi tone above the highest of Stravinsky's "Sacre du Printemps", those trumpet players who develop insane self contentment when they pouèèèt higher than their neigbourgh, those violin players who wouldn't come on a podium unless they have a brand new way to make a brand new sound out of their instrument (harmonics, flautando, armonicando, triturando, catastrophicando, etc.) and yes, pianists who come with prepared pianos, they all make me think the same thing : what is the very reason for doing so ? The only reason I see (sorry if I'm myop) is that it makes a clear separation between those who can do it (the true heroes), and those who can't (the average Joes, and yes, walk in the shadow). Very basic and primitive behaviour, methink. Yes, it is possible to get a bass note on a piano that lasts for 5 minutes, attaching a nylon string to the bass string, and rubbing this nylon string with fingers full of colophane. You know how it sounds ? Like a cheap synthesizer poorly programmed. If you want (need) other sounds, why not use the instruments dedicated to those ? And if you use a piano, why not explore the best that 200 years tradition of technicians fully dedicated to piano culture have to offer ? First, think of it, then, answer. Best regards. Stéphane Collin. ----- Original Message ----- From: "tish mukarji" <tishamukarji at yahoo.com> To: <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 3:42 PM Subject: preparations > Hello list, > > I'm a pianist who does mostly contemporary music, and > I use a lot of preparations, I was wondering what your thoughts on > this use does to the strings. If I play a set of one hour with screws > lodged inbetween a few strings what type of technical effect will it > have. Granted that you can badly prepare a piano, but say I > don't hit the keys with preparations to hard. > Basically at times I get a lot of hassle from > organisers who don't know anything. I met a very nice > technician in Scotland who was very open. So I would > like to know your views on the subject. > Thanks in advance, > T > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > >
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