Prepared piano

Definition

A prepared piano is a standard piano that has had its sound altered by placing objects, such as screws, rubber, or felt, on or between the strings. This innovative technique expands the range of sounds a piano can produce, making it a unique tool in experimental music and extended techniques, allowing composers and performers to explore new auditory possibilities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. John Cage is credited with popularizing the prepared piano in the mid-20th century, using it as a primary instrument for many of his compositions.
2. The preparation of the piano can produce a wide variety of sounds, from percussive clicks to muted tones, greatly enhancing the instrument's versatility.
3. Different preparations can yield distinct sound effects; for example, using rubber may create a soft, muted sound while metal screws can produce sharper, more metallic tones.
4. Prepared pianos are often used in contemporary classical music and avant-garde compositions to challenge traditional musical norms and conventions.
5. Cage's piece 'Sonatas and Interludes' features 16 different preparations of the piano and is considered one of the landmark works in this genre.

Review Questions

• How does the technique of preparing a piano change its sound and enhance its role in experimental music?
  • Preparing a piano alters its sound by introducing foreign objects to its strings, which changes the way they vibrate. This technique allows for a wider variety of tonal colors and textures, creating an instrument that can mimic percussion or produce unexpected sonic effects. In experimental music, this expanded range helps composers explore new musical ideas and challenge conventional perceptions of what a piano can do.
• Discuss John Cage's influence on the development and popularization of the prepared piano in contemporary music.
  • John Cage was instrumental in the development and popularization of the prepared piano through his innovative compositions, especially 'Sonatas and Interludes.' He explored the sonic possibilities of the piano by preparing it in unique ways, which transformed how musicians and composers perceived the instrument. Cage's approach opened doors for future composers to use unconventional techniques in their work, encouraging experimentation across various genres.
• Evaluate the impact of prepared piano techniques on traditional concepts of melody and harmony within Western music.
  • The use of prepared piano techniques fundamentally challenges traditional concepts of melody and harmony by introducing non-standard sounds that may not fit into established tonal frameworks. This disruption encourages composers to rethink how music is structured and perceived, leading to new forms of expression that prioritize texture over melody. As such, prepared pianos contribute to a broader redefinition of musical language, pushing boundaries in both composition and performance.

Related terms

Extended Techniques:

Methods of producing sounds on traditional instruments that go beyond the standard techniques, often creating unconventional timbres and textures.

John Cage:

An influential American composer known for his pioneering work with prepared piano and experimental music, particularly the piece 'Sonatas and Interludes.'

Timbre: The quality or color of a sound that distinguishes different types of sound production, essential in understanding the effects of prepared piano.