The Middle Pedal (Apr 29)

So, I asked Jason, and surprisingly he rarely uses the middle pedal. He uses it only in classical music. I can see how it could be useful in some contemporary music too. He is a whiz at stride piano, so, as Dom pointed out the activation lag might be more of a hinderance and not such an embellishment. Starting to feel like all we EVER talk about is piano... and the broken Atari systems he buys on Ebay and is bringing to life out of boredom since he isn't at Disney or on the road performing!  (Frankly, I prefer the piano conversations ;-) ) 

I am going to try out the middle pedal tonight. YAHOO!

I am watching this as delayed video. I have a Steinway B piano and have noticed that when I use the middle pedal to sustain a base chord the subsequent chords in the treble loose some of their beautiful quality, they don't shine or sing as well as when the  pedal is not used. Shoudl this be happening? Anne

Excellent question re the model B.  My technician advised me that Steinways have a deeper or more mellow tone; whereas the Yamaha and Kawai brands have brighter tones.  Could this be the reason for what you're hearing?  Could it be an adjustment in your voicing assist with this?  Seriously, I'm waiting to hear responses to your question from the ToneBase masters. ( I've loved to use my middle pedal since junior high.  I used it on the Debussy Sunken Cathedral and felt so grown up --like I was getting close to "arriving." LOL! I'm still on the train.)

First, I'm a new member within the trial period.  I'm checking out specific topics for how professional, focused, personable, accurate, and applicable each presentation is handled. Dominic, this was an excellent teaching presentation.  I enjoyed and learned a lot from your practical and easy-to-follow examples.  You were very clear and, as a teacher, very personable.  Thank you and the ToneBase content managers for including this topic.  One point I've noticed from the beginning of listening to ToneBase content, including this presentation, is the training always  focuses on developing and enhancing musicianship. I've joined this site to learn and grow as a musician. So far, excellent!  Thank you.

Bren, 
Careful... I got hooked! I wound up going for the lifetime membership with the educator discount. I'd say in the few months I have been here, I have definitely received a wealth of information - Dominic and Ben are quite engaging and knowledgable and the guests are phenominal. 

Welcome! 

~Denise

but I don't think use of the middle pedal was mentioned. Actually I think all tutors could say more about pedal use in all the lessons.

Sorry I seem to have broken up this reply

Anne

My message was cropped. Thanks for the reply re the middle pedal and Steinway B. I will ask my tuner next time he is here. I noticed this while learning Rachmaninoff's preule op3 no2. there was a tutorial on this on tonebase but very little mention of the use of the pedal. Overall I wish all tutors would say more about the use of pedal in the pieces they teach. Thanks. Anne

Hi! Anne, you are welcome. Yes, more pedal instruction overall would be quite beneficial within the lessons. I failed to mention all of my techs are very experienced from the Steinway gallery (Austin/SanAntonio and University of Texas).  They have extensive experience with Steinway speak and tuning Steinway and all brands.  That's the source of my knowledge regarding the sounds of the instruments. One piece of trivia that was imparted is that the brightness of the Yamaha and Kawaii are often preferred by musicians in the jazz and modern genres, as opposed to classical artists who lean towards the mellow tones of the Steinway.  My 1971 KG-5 (6'8"") K. Kawai sounds totally different from the current Kawai and Yamaha.  I think it's the woods and how they are applied within the instruments that have more of an affect than we layman really understand. 

Yes, Denise, I'm hooked, too!  But I subscribe to ProPractice VIP, as well.  They're different in their offerings, so I feel I'm receiving a very well-rounded musical re-education.  My parents started my lessons when I was 7.  I had originally planned to major in piano in college, but changed my major my sophomore year.  I'm a retiree who has returned to the roots of my passion: classical piano.  I'm strictly here for the love of learning and the experience along with sharing and supporting others with the same heartfelt focus.  My parents and I have maintained the K.Kawaii grand my dad purchased for me when I was 16.  I cherish every moment with it.

Kawai has only one i. lol

Hi Dominic

The time I noticed this was when learning the Rachmaninoff Prelude Op 3 No 2. I experimented with using it in many parts of the piece. It was when I tried using the middle pedal  in the opening bars and similar passages, that I noticed the change in the quality of the sound of the soft chords in the higher register. It was fine in the loud passages that you demonstrated in the online live tutorial.

Thanks for your interest

Anne

Anne Davis you're right about Claire Huangci's lesson on Rach C#m prelude - she doesn't use the middle pedal for that piece. I think she's probably in the majority, here, which (if I'm right) really only reveals that the middle pedal is mostly neglected by concert pianists, even when it COULD be used to great effect. This is partly why Dominic Cheli 's sesh was so helpful in drawing our attention to it.

Bren Warner just wanted to say hello to a fellow Central-Texan. I grew up in Austin/Round Rock and will be spending this summer working remotely back here at home!

Ben Laude Hello Ben!, Welcome home.  Hopefully, you remember we may flood in May up through Memorial Day, after which you can look forward to it heating up by July to around 114F in the shade with 200% humidity and still not a drop of rain.(That's not even scientifically feasible.)  We were "blessed with an unbelievable amount of snow a couple of months ago. Texas weather???  Re Tonebase, the content and programming has been very well done.  I am very pleased thus far. Keep up the great work! We appreciate you all!