Can Max MSP be used to “prepare” the keys of a digital piano in order to bring an additional level of expression to a composition?

The tradition of a prepared piano (credited largely to the twentieth century composer, John Cage) is to alter the inside of the instrument with elements that change the audio characteristics and response of specific keys, using physical objects that are attached to, or placed between, the instrument’s strings. Items like paperclips, erasers, springs, screws, bolts, tacks, cutlery, cotton, clothespins, etc. were commonly used to modify the prepared piano’s sound in the related works of Cage and other experimental composers.

This project sets up a MIDI piano for a performance of the piece, Bombarider in this digital setting.  It separates specific keys to be altered (or prepared) using techniques including: signal filtering, time shifting, spectral processing, etc.

Live performance will be presented in class.