One of the things I enjoy about my work is that in addition to teaching classes in music theory and music appreciation, I have many opportunities to perform a wide variety of music. In the past few weeks I've played classical repertoire as well as liturgical and contemporary worship music for church services.
For the past couple of months I've been working on a piece for saxophone and prepared piano, Gradient by the composer Baljinder Sekhon. Prepared piano means that objects are placed in specific locations on the piano strings; these objects should be easily removable after a rehearsal or performance. In Gradient, Sekhon calls for the pianist to place sheets of paper or a book over the strings in the lower register of the piano. The sound produced matches, more or less, the slap-tongue effect in the saxophone part.
Prepared piano music requires a grand piano with access to the strings; since I practice at home on a 1920 Whitney upright piano (her name is Betty, as I've mentioned before), I'm imagining, for now, the sound and feel of the prepared piano effects. In another month or so I'll begin rehearsals with my colleague Ian, and we'll see how this piece sounds. I've played prepared piano music before, but every piece is different. Anticipating some exciting sounds!
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