Sostenuto Pedal Question

[tamer123]

Hello,

My understanding is that on grand pianos the sostenuto pedal only works on the lower (bass) notes. Is this true? Could somebody please offer me any specifics on this matter? I'm wondering if on a higher end piano the sostenuto works on all keys, or perhaps somebody can tell me what pitch I can reasonably expect it to stop working on. Thanks for any help!

[abbyes]

It depends of the piano. As you might know, some (upright pianos ) doesnt even have it, and others that have it just makes the sound so soft and quiet.

On grand pianos, sostenuto pedal works in all the notes. Only lower quality grand pianos sustain just the bass register. You can check it here :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sostenuto

[richard black]

I have never seen a single grand piano where the sostenuto works only on part of the range. If there is a sostenuto pedal, it works on all the dampers. Very few upright pianos have it and when they do it isn't very reliable.

[abbyes]

I have never seen a single grand piano where the sostenuto works only on part of the range. If there is a sostenuto pedal, it works on all the dampers. Very few upright pianos have it and when they do it isn't very reliable.

Me neither, the "real" sostenuto pedal works in every single note being held down with the pedal depressed. I just doubted with the question of OP and investigated a bit through internet.

[iansinclair]

May I add one thought?  On a grand piano, the sostenuto pedal is supposed to work on all the notes.  That doesn't mean it does, and it is possible for it to have gotten out of adjustment so it doesn't...