Prepared Technique - Introduction


Technical Practice
The Bass can be prepared in various ways to alter the timbre, pitch, or to provide a variety of sonic effects.
Methods of preparation can be divided into five basic categories:

1) Objects threaded under the strings
2) Objects placed between the strings
3) Objects clipped or otherwise attached to the strings
4) Objects attached to the instrument body
5) Object that connect the strings to the instrument body

The sonic quality provided by each preparation usually correlates to the material of its construction, for example, if a metallic object is used then the sonic change will tend more toward a metallic sound whilst if rubber or cloth-type materials are used, the effect will be to mute the strings. Here are, however, some general observations:

• When an object is threaded underneath a single string, or under one string and over two others, thepreparation acts as a secondary or 'false' bride and has the effect of subdividing the string into two pitches. In addition to the pitch change, the timbre is altered although this will vary with each instrument. If, for example, a drumstick is used, the preparation itself can be used to generate a variety of sounds as it can itself move.
  
  
•  Objects placed between strings again alter the pitch but then tend to mute the string by reducing the strings ability to vibrate freely and often produces a gong-like effect.
  
  
• Objects, such as pegs, can be clipped to the strings which reduce is vibration potential and again produced a gong like sound. The objects can themselves produce sound depending on how firmly they are clipped to the strings and will produce more rattle the looser they are.
  
  

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT NO PREPARATION SHOULD INCREASE PRESSURE ON THE BASS TOP.

Examples in Existing Works
1) Objects Threaded Under The Strings

Flagwalk - Barry Guy
Beater threaded under D& A strings and over G&E strings
(non- pitch specific placement)

Long White Moonlight - Anthony Gilbert
False Bridges under A and E strings to raise pitch to B and F respectively.

Argonautenstudie - Christian Ofenbauer
Three knitting needles threaded under D string and over G&A strings at three points (pitch specific) and held in place by blu-tac.