Objects for insertion between the strings include: Erasers, Clothespins, Screws/Bolts, and Bolts with Loose Nuts (these create a buzzing effect). The objects available to be placed on the string include: Paper, Aluminium, an iPhone, and Mutes (various dampening materials). Arpeggiators can further transform the output by sequencing the programmed sounds. IRCAM Prepared Piano 2 comprises over 12,000 samples.Įach key can be individually equipped with any 2 of 45 preparations, and then further processed with various effects. This virtual instrument is built on samples from a Yamaha C7 grand piano recorded at the famous IRCAM sound labs in Paris. IRCAM Prepared Piano 2: showing the main page used to set-up the preparations Various packages are available, and UVI has just released IRCAM Prepared Piano 2 which takes the genre to a whole new level. With the advent of virtual pianos, the way is open to explore yet further the tonal possibilities of the piano. These control mechanisms helped pianos to simulate the sound of a marching band. But the history of the subject dates back to the early 19th century when some instruments were fitted with janissary stops. John Cage popularised the prepared piano back in the 1930s. Often musicians will abandon the keyboard and pluck, hit or bow the strings. A prepared piano should always be “un-preparable” such that no one would know that it had ever been doctored.Īllied to preparing a piano is the way in which the strings are played. But, a tack piano isn’t strictly a prepared piano because the instrument has been permanently changed by the modification. This gives the piano a harder more percussive sound. Felt, paper, or plastic are often used.Ī tack piano has thumbtacks (drawing pins), inserted into the heads of the hammers. And a prepared piano can be set up to produce completely different sounds for each note.Ī second approach is to place thin strips between the hammer and one or more of the strings to give a different harmonic response. Bolts, coins, erasers (rubbers), bits of plastic, pegs, cutlery… these are all items commonly used to change the character of the instrument. The simplest way to prepare a piano is to place objects on or between the strings. When such adaptations are made, the instrument is known as a prepared piano - but only if the mods are temporary! However, the piano is possibly the best instrument for such experimentation as these modifications are relatively easy to make, and the results can be spectacular. Musicians will often customize their instruments in order to create a new sound palette with which to work.
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