Final answer:
The prepared piano is capable of producing a combination of c. pitched and unpitched sounds, which is due to the alteration of its timbre by placing objects in or on its strings, creating a wide variety of unconventional sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unlike a standard piano, the prepared piano is capable of producing a combination of pitched and unpitched sounds. A prepared piano is a standard piano that has had its sound altered by placing objects on or between the strings, or altering the strings in some way. This changes the timbre of the piano, which is our perception of different combinations of frequencies and intensities, or tone quality, that makes one musical sound distinct from another. Unlike the sustained or staccato notes from a standard piano, the prepared piano can produce a wider variety of sounds, including those that are more percussive or unconventional, which can be considered pitched or unpitched.
Timbre, while subjective and harder to quantify than loudness or pitch, is critical in understanding the sounds produced by a prepared piano. Terms such as dull, brilliant, warm, cold, pure, and rich are often used to describe the timbre, which is influenced by the higher-level processes in the brain and is part of the larger realm of perceptual psychology.