Guidelines for prepared grand pianos

The strings, especially the bass strings, are prone to corrode very fast if exposed to moisture, grease/fat/oil or other chemicals from the skin. This leads to discoloration and noticeable reduction of quality in timbre. This is why preparation and touching the strings is exclusively permitted on the instruments dedicated to prepared piano.

• If you need to mark the strings: Use chalk sticks, not a marker or mouldable adhesive (Tack-It, multi tack) etc. Brush off the chalk with a soft toothbrush.
• Bass strings should never be scraped on, but they can be plucked or hit lightly.
• The dampers are very fragile and can go out of position very easily. They can be marked very carefully by using slim Post-it notes with a light adhesive but should never be touched beyond this.
• Never put weight on the dampers.
• Placing foreign objects in the grand piano: Always lift the dampers with the right pedal before placing objects between strings. Use a popsicle stick to separate the strings while inserting objects.

It is only allowed to prepare grand pianos which are dedicated to the purpose. These instruments (and the rooms they are in) are marked with a neon yellow “P”.

• Shigeru Kawai SK5 #42 (room 551)
• Yamaha C3 #136 (room 6018)
• Boston 178 #81 (room 210)
• Steinway C #220 (room U1010)
• Yamaha C7 #126 (room 025, Bevegelsesrommet)
• Yamaha C7 #120 (behind the concert halls)

Touching strings and dampers on any of the academy’s other pianos is strictly prohibited and should not occur under any circumstance.

The prepared grand piano rooms are equipped with the following:

• Chalk sticks in different colours
• Toothbrush
• Post-it notes in different colours
• Popsicle sticks

Please give a heads-up to the academy’s piano technicians if anything is missing. Any tools or objects beyond this must be provided by the student itself.