* Muting strings: Cage would place objects between the strings of the piano, such as pieces of rubber, felt, or metal, to mute the sound of the strings and create a more percussive sound.
* Altering the hammers: Cage would also modify the hammers of the piano, such as by attaching felt or rubber to them, to change the way they struck the strings. This could create a softer, more mellow sound, or a brighter, more metallic sound.
* Adding additional objects to the piano: Cage would sometimes place objects inside the piano, such as screws, bolts, or springs, to create additional sounds when the keys were played.
By preparing the piano in these ways, Cage was able to create a wide variety of new sounds and textures, and to open up new possibilities for piano music.
Here are some specific examples of how Cage used prepared pianos in his music:
* In his piece "Sonatas and Interludes" (1946-1948), Cage used a prepared piano to create a delicate, ethereal sound. He muted the strings with pieces of rubber and felt, and attached felt to the hammers, which created a soft, mellow sound.
* In his piece "4'33"" (1952), Cage used a prepared piano to create a silent piece of music. He muted all of the strings, and left the piano open so that the sound of the room would be amplified.
* In his piece "Variations IV" (1965), Cage used a prepared piano to create a chaotic, unpredictable sound. He placed screws, bolts, and springs inside the piano, which created a variety of unexpected sounds when the keys were played.
Cage's use of prepared pianos was a radical departure from traditional piano playing, but it opened up new possibilities for the instrument and for music in general. His work inspired other composers to explore new ways of using the piano, and it helped to establish the piano as a versatile and expressive instrument that could be used to create a wide variety of musical sounds and textures.