Sostenuto pedal or Practice pedal?

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 10 Dec 2008, 17:31

Hi

What pedal is more useful to have on a piano? I have my eye on the Yamaha Radius RD2 ( when I can finaly afford it ) but the middle pedal is a pratice pedal or muffler pedal. Would I regret not having a sostenuto pedel later, I'm a beginner so have never needed to use the sost pedel.

Thanks!

David B · Post by **David B** » 10 Dec 2008, 17:53

Trust me, you will not need a sostenuto pedal

Most pianos don't have them, so even if you did manage to master the wretched thing, it'll be to no avail when you have to play on another piano.

Grenache · Post by **Grenache** » 11 Dec 2008, 16:36

I've got neither! I have a Yamaha with the silent option, and the middle pedal moves the shank stopper to prevent the hammers hitting the strings. If you engage that then forget to switch on the electronics, it's a bit like Joseph Cooper on Face the Music. At least you could tell what he was playing, unlike my attempts!

sirprize · Post by **sirprize** » 13 Dec 2008, 19:09

The sostenuto option is a very nice resource to have - but it needs a lot of practice to get the most out of it, particularly when combined with the normal sustain pedal. Apart from the obvious repertoire of the late romantics & moderns needing it I've often thought Bach and the other contrapuntalists benefit from it

Post by **vernon** » 13 Dec 2008, 21:46

When is someone going to invent a "soft" peadl that works?

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 14 Dec 2008, 08:59

When is someone going to invent a "soft" peadl that works?

Agreed. Soft pedals on uprights are generally a waste of good brass.

And another thing: are 'celeste'/practice pedals REALLY worth the effort? I've tried to use them in the past but the tone is SO muffled and the dynamic range SO surpressed that I found it completely frustrating after just a few sessions. I suppose you could argue that a practice pedal is just there to help with fingering practice (stop sniggering at the back) and overall familiarity with the music, but losing the ability to shape phrases dynamically is a hell of a price to pay. I reckon a silent function beats the crap out of a practice pedal any day of the week. And to prove it I propose we organise a naked mud-wrestling match between Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez.

crispin · Post by **crispin** » 14 Dec 2008, 09:40

I reckon a silent function beats the crap out of a practice pedal any day of the week. And to prove it I propose we organise a naked mud-wrestling match between Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez.

Suddenly this topic is becoming more interesting ... I support the practice pedal - but I am willing to be proved wrong - when is this match

NewAge · Post by **NewAge** » 14 Dec 2008, 13:52

Openwood wrote:
When is someone going to invent a "soft" peadl that works?
.....I propose we organise a naked mud-wrestling match between Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez.

Openwood:
Great posts. Keep ‘em coming! But eh, for added interest why not make that a verbal mud wrestling contest between Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, and Ma Cecilia de Mesa.........

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 14 Dec 2008, 15:14

i hardly ever use the sostenuto pedal, i used it once last year in a modern piece. but thats all.

yeah, sometimes bach can benefit from it, but rarely. IMHO of course, and i hear convincing performances from either camp.

Moonlight · Post by **Moonlight** » 15 Dec 2008, 15:18

Ok, thanks for the replies!

I suppose a pratice pedal it is then, should come in handy and stop driving the neighbour, and my parents mad. I have a sostenuto pedal on my digital piano so if I ever need it; its there.

Model V · Post by **Model V** » 20 Dec 2008, 16:16

joseph wrote:i hardly ever use the sostenuto pedal, i used it once last year in a modern piece. but thats all.

yeah, sometimes bach can benefit from it, but rarely. IMHO of course, and i hear convincing performances from either camp.

Nice for the last few bars of the middle movement of the Ravel Sontatine.

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 20 Dec 2008, 22:11

i haven't played the ravel sonatine. i'd probably sound like a truck driver on it LOL!

Model V · Post by **Model V** » 20 Dec 2008, 22:23

joseph wrote:i haven't played the ravel sonatine. i'd probably sound like a truck driver on it LOL!

Give it a go. I think you're a professional performer from your previous posts so you wouldn't have trouble with it. Much easier technically than Gaspard.

Cheers.

MV.

Descombes · Post by **Descombes** » 20 Dec 2008, 23:58

Model V wrote:

Nice for the last few bars of the middle movement of the Ravel Sonatine.

That's an interesting thought! I played that movement years ago for an LTCL; and I've had a couple of pupils recently who learnt it. (Wasn't it on the Grade 8 syllabus last year?) Some judicious half-pedalling and generally playing around with the sustaining pedal always seems to work OK, but I'll certainly try it with the middle pedal!

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 21 Dec 2008, 13:13

Model V wrote:
joseph wrote:i haven't played the ravel sonatine. i'd probably sound like a truck driver on it LOL!
Give it a go. I think you're a professional performer from your previous posts so you wouldn't have trouble with it. Much easier technically than Gaspard.

Cheers.

MV.

Ok I'll try! I played jeux d'eau on tour this year and i used jeu perle in order to keep the touch light. it worked really well. I love Ravel but OMG its pretty hard stuff to pull off!

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 21 Dec 2008, 14:55

jeu perle

Joseph, could you explain this term? I've heard of it before now but I've never quite understood what it means.

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 21 Dec 2008, 16:18

basically, its a type of touch where you play with the hand hanging from the wrist, the fingers almost fully extended but totally relaxed. The arms and shoulders must be totally relaxed too. The key must only be pressed half way down, just enough for them to sound. This kind of touch must be practised slowly so that every note is equal, then you can start playing around with dynamics.