PREPARED PIANO

preparing pianos is a tool, or a way,  for pianists to develop their own voices by extending the acoustic possibilities of the piano.

The prepared piano owes its early development to John Cage, whose experiments with the piano in the 1940s redefined what the instrument could do. Cage was searching for new sounds that could fill the rhythmic and timbral roles typically associated with percussion instruments. His solution was to insert objects like screws, rubber, and wood into the piano strings, transforming its traditional sound into something more varied and complex.

This approach led to his seminal work, Sonatas and Interludes (1946–1948), in which the piano becomes a highly modified sound machine, capable of producing everything from bell-like tones to muted, drum-like thuds. The concept was revolutionary at the time and has since influenced countless composers and performers to explore similar techniques. You can explore more about Cage’s work and his influence on prepared piano here.

Key Figures in Prepared Piano: Expanding the Practice

After John Cage, many composers and pianists took the prepared piano technique and applied it in different contexts. The practice became a significant tool in the avant-garde and experimental music scenes, helping musicians develop their own voices by extending the acoustic possibilities of the piano.

Margaret Leng Tan

One of the most significant interpreters of Cage’s work, Margaret Leng Tan has earned a reputation as the “queen of the toy piano” and a leading performer of prepared piano music. She not only performs Cage’s works but also explores new ways of preparing the piano in her own compositions and interpretations. Tan’s exploration of both toy pianos and prepared pianos has contributed to the continued evolution of Cage’s legacy. Learn more about Margaret Leng Tan here.

Zeynep Gedizlioğlu

Contemporary composer Zeynep Gedizlioğlu represents a newer generation of artists who have embraced piano preparations as part of their compositional toolkit. Her work often blends microtonal textures with prepared piano techniques to create intensely layered soundscapes that challenge the listener’s perception of the instrument. Gedizlioğlu is known for her interest in blending the piano’s traditional sound with physically altered elements. Read more about her work here.

R. Andrew Lee

A specialist in minimalist and experimental music, R. Andrew Lee has built a reputation through his performances of long-duration works and his explorations of extended techniques on the piano. While not solely focused on prepared piano, Lee’s deep engagement with experimental sound makes him an important figure in understanding how modern pianists are incorporating preparations into broader minimalist contexts. Check out more about R. Andrew Lee here.

Hauschka (Volker Bertelmann)

Hauschka (the stage name of Volker Bertelmann) has made prepared piano more accessible to a wider audience through his work in both the classical and film scoring worlds. Bertelmann often places everyday objects like ping-pong balls, gaffer tape, and bottle caps inside his piano to create organic, percussive sounds that blend beautifully with strings, electronics, and other instruments. His prepared piano performances bring this avant-garde technique to broader musical contexts, including his acclaimed film scores. Discover more about Hauschka’s work here.

Prepared Piano in the Digital Age: Tools for Today’s Musicians

For modern musicians and composers who are interested in prepared piano but don’t have the time or resources to manually prepare their instruments, digital tools like Wrongtools’ Putty Grand offer new ways to experiment with this technique. The Putty Grand is a deeply sampled prepared piano library for Kontakt, which allows users to access the rich textures of a prepared piano without needing to physically modify a piano themselves.

Wrongtools meticulously recorded each note of a grand piano, using putty, screws, bolts, and other materials to prepare the strings. The result is a virtual instrument that offers incredible detail and realism, making it easier than ever to incorporate prepared piano techniques into modern music production. Whether you’re interested in exploring minimalism, avant-garde compositions, or film scoring, the Putty Grand offers a versatile platform for sound exploration. Learn more about the Putty Grand here.

Contemporary Artists Pushing Prepared Piano Further

Prepared piano techniques are also finding new life in the work of modern pianists and sound artists who are pushing the boundaries of the instrument.

Andrea Neumann

Andrea Neumann is a Berlin-based composer and pianist known for her work with the “inside piano,” an approach that focuses on the piano’s internal mechanisms, including the strings and soundboard, rather than its keys. Neumann frequently uses preparations in her work to create complex, resonant sounds that are as much about texture and space as they are about melody. Discover more about Andrea Neumann here.

Rie Nakajima

London-based artist Rie Nakajima often works with prepared and modified pianos as part of her installation and performance art. Her use of found objects in piano preparation creates a constantly evolving soundscape, where the piano becomes more than just an instrument—it interacts with its environment. Nakajima’s work offers a fresh perspective on how the prepared piano can be used in site-specific and improvisational contexts. Explore more about her here.

Lucie Vítková

Composer, improviser, and performer Lucie Vítková frequently uses prepared piano in combination with electronic elements and extended performance techniques. Vítková’s works often explore the boundaries between acoustic and electronic sound, making her one of the most innovative contemporary musicians working with prepared piano today. Learn more about Lucie Vítková here.