Steel

Simon Hellewell Steel

For Piano (bass strings only)

Duration: c. 5’15”

Performance directions: The piece can be performed without amplification, but could be amplified and routed through an equaliser so as to reduce lower frequencies while boosting upper partials and resonations.

The piece is written for the lowest notes of the piano. As such all playing on keys is for left hand only. The upper line denotes techniques to be executed inside the piano by the right hand. The layout of Piano inners can vary between brands. The performer should examine the piano they will perform on and adjust notes down an octave or vary direction of motions accordingly.

The piano is muted by the right hand throughout. Specific techniques are specified in the single-line stave. The right hand is dictated by text stating “(Fist)” pressing the side of a closed fist on the strings (exerting medium pressure, so as to create a percussive thud instead of clear pitches) or “(Fingertips)” placing fingertip(s) perpendicular to the strings with lighter pressure.

If a note is to be muted “behind dampers” this is to be done directly beside the damper on the far end of the damper from the player.

Small noteheads on the lower staff indicate octave harmonics

Pitch bend note by playing octave harmonic and pushing string downwards.

Slide finger down the string while playing. A dotted line denotes that this should be between the bridge and the dampers while dashed denotes on the main body of the string, usually going to or from the octave harmonic. The direction of slant denotes direction of movement (upward – away from player, downward – toward player.)

Steel Simon Hellewell

Aggressive but slow q = 80

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° (Sempre) At bridge by dampers

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by dampers Molto

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To near silence

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8ve harm (fingertips)

1/2 inch nearer player

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1/2 inch nearer player far side of dampers

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far side of dampers (fingertips)

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© Simon Hellewell 2017

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4

Fragile (fingertip)

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5 Dampers (fist) Brush string below bridge

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6 Behind dampers

Slowly

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Bridge (Fist)

Behind dampers (fingertips)

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To silence

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