What is a Prepared Piano?

A prepared piano is a piano that has been modified by placing objects such as screws, bolts, rubber, paper, or other materials between or on the strings. These objects alter the vibration of the strings, changing the instrument’s sound in unusual ways.

When the keys are played, the inserted materials cause the strings to produce percussive, muted, metallic, or bell-like tones instead of the normal piano sound. Different objects and placements create different timbres, allowing the piano to imitate a wide range of sounds.

The prepared piano was famously developed by composer John Cage in the 1940s as a way to expand the sonic possibilities of the instrument. It has since been used in contemporary classical music, experimental music, and film scoring to create unique textures and unusual musical effects.