When to use the middle pedal

[pianoplayjl]

I haven't used the middle pedal for any of my pieces so far and this question has been bothering me since the beginning of time. I don't use it what so ever for my pieces even though my sister has used it in some of the pieces I play. Does anyone know when is the appropriate situation to use the middle pedal? Normally, I think the middle pedal is used in very quiet sections so as not to make a big sound with the normal pedal.

JL

[johnmar78]

middle pedal is used for a long resonant bass notes up to middle C I think, I have to check my piano. But when using this you play the note first then middle pedal, and let teh RH pedal off and the middle pedal will resonant that note you just played. In scores where you see a long SEMIBREVE note or repeated note across1 or 2 bars. This is for advance player to use as it required a good timming and coordiantion, a bit like double clutch in racing

[iansinclair]

What it does -- at least on my piano -- is hold the damper off on any notes which were held when you step on it (all the way to the top, on mine), thus allowing them to keep sounding while not letting anything else blur.  I find it useful -- although I rarely use it -- where there is a long held note in one or the other hand, and the hand itself is dismayingly busy doing something else.

It is dismayingly like double clutching, and I at least find that it takes a good deal of practice to get it right!