Should I use the pedal here?

[zenathd]

Hello,

Hoping someone could help me out here. I'm learning 2 different pieces, and having 2 problems.

In the first, it's actually a general problem I encounter. I see these half- sometimes whole notes, called upon by the score, while I am simultaneously required to play a different melody while those whole/half notes are held down/sustained. Normally It's impossible for me to play this, simply because of the distance between the sustained notes and the other melody.

My question is: Is there a standard way of handling this? Like using the pedal although the score doesn't call for it?

In the second picture, on the third beat I have to hold down the G# while playing F# and A.

It's a bit like my first problem, I have to sustain one note while playing another note out of my reach. (Actually I can play this with 1,2 and 5 finger, but is painful for me to spread my hand that much, plus a big chance of the pinky slipping the G#)

Should I also use the pedal here?

[j_menz]

First one - yes use pedal. I'd drop it back to half pretty much straight away, though, and then ease off towards the end of the note so as to let the staccato notes work.

Second one, it should be 4 on the G#, and that should be easier and eliminate the need for pedal at all.

[zenathd]

Thanks.

Number one works great

Number two however, doesn't seem to work for me. Having 4 on the G#, makes it harder for my 1 and 2 to reach down for the F# and A.

Using 5 on G# enables me to reach but is a bit painful.

Maybe I'm stretching my hand out the wrong way?

[j_menz]

The G# on both images seems very deep in the keys compared to the F#.  Cam you do just the F# G#  1-4 or 1-5 and have them a bit more level?  Try and find a comfortable position for just those two notes first.