The Prepared Piano

The Prepared Piano is a technique where objects like screws, bolts, or rubber are placed on or between a piano’s strings, or inside its body, to alter the instrument’s sound. This transforms the piano from a traditional instrument into a source of new, experimental tones and textures. Developed by composer John Cage in the mid-20th century, it allows for a broader range of sounds beyond standard notes, creating unique, percussive, or metallic effects. It’s a way to expand the expressive possibilities of the piano by “transforming” its inherent acoustic properties.