I composed and recorded this piece yesterday on prepared guzheng. A prepared instrument is that instrument has had its sounds temporarily altered by placing bolts, screws, mutes, rubber erasers, and/or other objects on or between the strings. I used five keychain rings in this piece (photo below). This way of playing and making music has had about one hundred years of history. Important composers who were influential in making prepared instrument music (primarily piano) were Henry Cowell (1897–1965), John Cage (1912-1992), Pauline Olivers (1932 - 2016), Lou Harrison (1917 -2003) and Fred Frith. I studied Deep Listening from Pauline Oliveros and composition from Fred Frith while I was at Mills College.
Hope this piece brings you a moment of peace to your busy Monday.
Wu Fei 吴非
Wufeimusic.com
