Did you hear Adele at the Grammy's?


It was the most godawful atonal thing.  I suspect that she always benefits from pitch correction, but this time it must have failed, and she and was unmasked. She and the media tried to make up some excuses, but that was no microphone problem; a mic only amplifies what is coming out of your mouth.  No effect on pitch whatsoever.
128x128lloydc
I've have been on stage performing and can tell you that when unexpected stuff like that happens especially that kind of sound being fed into ones ears your concentration and performance will be effected. I can also tell you from personal experience that a piano's sound and pitch can be altered when an object is put on the strings. We used to do these things in recording studios to get a certain 
effect. Composers from the mid 20th century have written compositions for prepared piano which drastically alter the sound. I've been at these types of concerts and the effect is very interesting. Speaking from personal expirence. 

This particular performance was terrible.  Arguing about what caused that is kind of silly.  No one here will ever know.
Is there a link to a youtube video of the performance in question?
There are several.  Here's one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydJV9kcBlz8

Regards,
-- Al