pedaling

[falling4ever3]

I've heard people talking about using the pedal to cover up mistakes, and that beginners do this too often. How do you use a pedal to cover up mistakes? I play the keyboard most of the time, and don't know alot about pedals, I would appreciated any help, thanks

[zhiliang]

I've heard people talking about using the pedal to cover up mistakes, and that beginners do this too often. How do you use a pedal to cover up mistakes?

I guess what they mean is that the pedal sustains all the notes together, and the player probably has not been well trained to play a true legato and the pedals, given its properties can sometimes hide the flaws of the players.

So i always believe in only using the pedals when necessary, which means for places whereby we cannot achieve legato by our own fingers, for tonal shadings, or to bring out certain notes or accents, or sometimes for a singing tone.

Zhiliang

[surendipity]

Try some Brahms pieces.  He had a huge heavy foot,
it hardly came of the dampener pedal.
And they say he sounded damned good.

Other than that.  I wouldn't recommend covering your mistakes, better that you perfect them.
Use Chopin for this and follow his foot notes to a tee.
Or you'll feel him reach out of the heavens to break a pencil on your head.

Other than that, It's your call.