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Topic: When was FOOT damper pedal invented (Read 8096 times)

linda_dawn

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Posts: 2

When was FOOT damper pedal invented

on: July 21, 2010, 02:09:07 AM

Mozart had a fortepiano with "knee damper" in 1777. But when was the FOOT operated damper pedal first used? Thanks.

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stevebob

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Posts: 1133

Re: When was FOOT damper pedal invented

Reply #1 on: July 21, 2010, 02:55:07 AM

According to Joseph Banowetz (in The Pianist’s Guide to Pedaling, which is freely downloadable online to anyone who registers at the Indiana University Press website), the knee lever actually dates back to around 1765 on German pianos. He states that a foot-controlled mechanism with a cleft pedal was introduced in 1777 by Adam Beyer in London, providing separate control of bass and treble groups of dampers. Various split-pedal systems were superseded by our familiar single-pedal damper control around 1830, though Banowetz doesn’t elaborate on which maker(s) first introduced it.

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What passes you ain't for you.

keyboardclass

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Posts: 2009

Re: When was FOOT damper pedal invented

Reply #2 on: July 21, 2010, 06:18:52 AM

Thanks for the Indiana University Press link Steve. Even up to 1800 Broadwood was selling pianos with the pedal as a few guineas extra.

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linda_dawn

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Posts: 2

Re: When was FOOT damper pedal invented

Reply #3 on: July 22, 2010, 03:24:45 AM

Thank you so much for your helpful responses.

- Linda

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