Prepared Piano

Prepared Piano is a concept which the composer John Cage invented. I got in touch with it for the first time at NEC in Boston during my studies there. "Prepared piano" means putting all kinds of different objects carefully into the piano, between the strings, to change its sound.

For example screws, bolts, coins, erasers, jar rubber and plastic, just to name a few. This is lots of fun and creates a fantastic and an alienated soundworld for the piano, reminding of percussion rather than the piano. A major piece for the piano with this setup is the large scale cycle Sonatas and Interludes by John Cage. Another example is For Prepared Piano by Christian Wolff, also requiring some preparations. The "kit" on this photo has been developing since I started experimenting, and is still gaining.