Lum, Chee Hoo

Discovering the wide array of timbres and sounds created by the prepared piano pieces of John Cage was the initial motivating factor in my research. This paper explores the significance of the prepared piano in the context of musical developments in America during the early decades of the twentieth century. In placing the prepared piano pieces in context of John Cage's life and aesthetic attitudes, the paper also focuses on issues that arise from performing these works at present. Finally, the paper discusses the actual materials used for preparation, on different practical methods of creating various timbres and the requisite skill and care a performer needs for the prepared piano repertoire.