How to Prepare a Guitar

Chapter 2 Ð Prepared Guitar Techniques

 

2.7 Ð Miscellaneous

Several other preparations are possible of course. The ones mentioned in this text are the ones I can remember. If I know more I will add them. Here two exemples I canÕt place in one of the previous groups.

 

2.7.1 Ð Bracelets

In 2007 I saw a performance of Fred Frith where he used a bracelet for serialized touching the strings. Looking very experimental, but I was not very surprised by the results of it and never use these. A more interesting experiment with a ball chain is The Well-Prepared Guitar. In that example the ball chain functions like clasping object as well as it allows to play the serial strikes by plucking it along the direction of the string.

 

2.7.2 Ð Marbles

While I was a kid I used marbles on my children guitar to create nice sliding sounds. It generates interesting glissandos, which have a very natural moving forward (Gravity is a good constant force to rely on an better than moving with your hand.) With handkerchiefs or paper you can mute the sounds of the marbles hitting the bridge or falling on the body. Neil OÕFeather has made a fascinating big instrument based on a similar technique with big steel rods rolling over two strings. I think itÕs called the Nondo or something.

 

Go to Chapter 3 Ð Additional Notes

 

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Back to Chapter 2 Ð Prepared Guitar Techniques, 2.1 Third Bridge

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Back to Chapter 2 Ð Prepared Guitar Techniques, 2.3 Seesaw Bridge

Back to Chapter 2 Ð Prepared Guitar Techniques, 2.4 Buzzing Objects

Back to Chapter 2 Ð Prepared Guitar Techniques, 2.5 Clasping Objects

Back to Chapter 2 Ð Prepared Guitar Techniques, 2.6 Motors

 

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