A prepared piano is a piano that has had its sound altered by placing objects (preparations) between or on the strings or on the hammers or dampers.

The idea of altering an instrument’s timbre through the use of external objects has been applied to instruments other than the piano; see, for example, prepared guitar or third bridge guitar.

John Cage was undoubtedly the composer who put the “prepared piano” concept on the world map, and coined the term. He credited Henry Cowell, and, to a lesser extent, Erik Satie, for contributing to the idea, and was probably unaware of many other precedents described below.

In my existence I’m had a minimum of a dozen devices that I’ve performed very good or performed round with and did not play so good and the one person who I ever gave a private title to was once the used tenor sax I purchased again within the 70s. She was once (and nonetheless is) Miss Sophie Conn and she or he’s the one person who I’ve saved these kinds of years. (Not that it is similar in a few bizarre manner however it sort of feels like each and every automobile or truck I’ve ever owned and pushed I’ve given private names to.) EDIT: When I was once married we had a little one grand that each my spouse and I effortlessly referred to as ‘Baby.’ That was once the piano’s nickname. I’m no longer certain who first gave it that title however I do not rely this for the reason that I by no means viewed that piano a private software. It was once purchased for her use. EDIT two: I appreciated the title Sophie for the reason that of Sophie Tucker. Conn is the manufacturer title of the sax. And proper now I’m using Cherokee Kitty, a ferocious feminine tom cat of a Jeep with an perspective. I even have an vintage VW van named Cliburn.