Help in pedalling

[stef-anie]

Hi.. im currently still learning the piano. I have found out that there is also different interpretation to pedalling in general.
Its hard to phrase it here but i wil try.

My teacher said when the key is pressed, the pedal should be release. (Works like a seasaw)
However i find that lot of my friends who are pianist believe that the key n pedal should be press downwards together.

Any thoughts or help for this???
Thank you =)

[faulty_damper]

There is probably going to be a misunderstanding about the literal description; I have no idea if what you are describing is accurate as to the pedaling.

There are many different ways to pedal.  Most pianists don't know how to pedal in all the ways it can be used - they are limited to just what they already can do with satisfaction.  This even applies to well-known and famous pianists.

From what your teacher described, it sounds like what I call "legato pedaling" or what probably is more commonly called "syncopated pedaling."

From what your friends say, it sounds like choppy pedaling, as a phrase can sound chopped in half if pedalled this way in the middle of a phrase.  It can also be used as a coloring accent and much more.

Neither is correct or incorrect but part of the many available pedaling techniques.  Deciding which of just these two depends on the context it is used.
In a Field nocturne, where the melody is very clear, it probably sounds best when pedaled smoothly.
In percussive Prokofieff sonata movements, more emphasis on choppy pedaling and for coloristic accents can be used.

[stef-anie]

Thank you so much.. =)
I will try to read up more of the different type of pedalling technique used.

[leslieb547]

A book I found very helpful is; Piano Pedalling by Reimar Riefling, published by Oxford University Press in 1962. I got my copy from the Public Library. When I was young (about 60 years ago) I was never taught or allowed to pedal and only in the last few years, having taken up the piano again in retirement, am I having to learn how to use the pedals properly to get the correct sounds. What with sight-reading (the ability to memorise having gone some time ago), playing the right notes, in the right order, with the right fingers AND operate both feet using 3 pedals correctly - sometimes it's all too much for my ageing brain and eyesight! Still, it's wonderful to be able to play a reasonable repertoire for a few hours at a time and well worth persevering. Hope the book helps if you can find a copy.

[counterpoint]

My teacher said when the key is pressed, the pedal should be release. (Works like a seasaw)

Yes, the teacher is right. In 90% of all cases, the pedal is used this way.
The cause is simple: if you would press the key and the pedal at the same time, you have to release it before, so there will be a pause before every new pedal use.
On the other side: if you press the pedal too early, you often will get wrong notes in the pedal (when the chords change at the new pedal). So it's best to release the pedal just at the moment when the new key is pressed down. The moment of pressing the pedal down again is not as critical in most cases.

[stef-anie]

Thank you all.. For sure, i will try to get the book that you have recommend...My country is so small, and all my library have limited books on music. I hope to find a copy of it, or maybe a similar one..