Spectral Analysis of Prepared Piano Sounds for John Cage Sonatas and Interludes.

Glen Halls © All Rights Reserved

Abstract:

In addition to spectral profiles, analysis is represented in musical notation. In the scoring out process, instruments of the chamber ensemble are mapped with respect to the pitches indicated. Note however, the mapping is seldom direct. Rather indivual spectral profiles for the instruments are taken into account so that a given pitch might be realized as a harmonic, rather than a direct pitch mapping. Other than that there is little to say as the sounds more-or-less speak for themselves. It is worth pointing out, however, that as Cage is often associated with and credited for the inclusion of noise elements , that the sounds are not as 'noisy' as one might expect. Rather, they are very interesting, 'musical' sounds, which in many cases may be represented accurately as chords. This is the work of someone with a discriminating ear.

(note: Numbers refer only to the tracks of sampled prepared piano tones, available on CD by request )

Please refer to the opening pages of the actual score to see them all together.

Note: We're calling middle C 'C4'.

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