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Topic: "Bracket" pedal markings on sheet music (Read 3740 times)

ggpianogg

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"Bracket" pedal markings on sheet music

on: October 26, 2020, 03:43:02 PM

Hi, I have a question about pedal notation:

If I understand correctly, I'm supposed to depress the sustain pedal where the bracket opens, and release the pedal where the bracket closes.

I'm a bit confused though because the bracket opens after the G. Does this mean that I should depress the pedal in a way that doesn't sustain the G?

I ask because, in a different part of the score, the bracket opens immediately beneath a chord:

So I'm assuming there's a difference between a bracket that opens benath a note vs. one that opens after a note?

Thanks

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themeandvariation

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Re: "Bracket" pedal markings on sheet music

Reply #1 on: October 26, 2020, 08:11:30 PM

"So I'm assuming there's a difference between a bracket that opens benath a note vs. one that opens after a note? "
yes, technically -
Given the mtrnm mark at above 100, (can't see how much more) - in the first example, your foot would be rapidly hiccuping the whole way. Also, it seems the pedal is there to only sustain the offbeats for the micro-est of time - just slightly delaying the staccato effect.
Well, on the surface - it certainly (the pedal markings) seems ill-conceived at best.
But, I would need to see more of the score to be sure. (?)
Bad pedal markings is a fairly frequent occurrence, as it may be here.

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ggpianogg

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Re: "Bracket" pedal markings on sheet music

Reply #2 on: October 26, 2020, 09:04:52 PM

Thanks for the reply. These are from Bartok's Romanian Folk Dances (5 and 6).

Larger screenshot:

And full sheet PDF from IMSLP (I hope that's OK to share): https://ks4.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/b/bc/IMSLP173317-PMLP03387-b%C3%A9la-bart%C3%B3k_sz-56_rom%C3%A1n-n%C3%A9pi-t%C3%A1ncok.pdf

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themeandvariation

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Re: "Bracket" pedal markings on sheet music

Reply #3 on: October 26, 2020, 10:25:25 PM

Ok. Bartok was a pianist, and, these I would guess are His pedal markings.. In his compositions, he is quite specific and Very meticulous about his markings - which are at many times demanding and challenging. I believe this is one of those times.. The pedaling here will go against the grain of what may come natural in the way of pedaling. To honor the markings, you must be scrupulous - and get used to his unusual approach.. His approach here (in pedaling) is more related to an orchestral approach to the piano - how an orchestra would treat the lower rhythmic figure.

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ggpianogg

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Posts: 124

Re: "Bracket" pedal markings on sheet music

Reply #4 on: October 27, 2020, 07:21:58 PM

Thank you very much (interesting to learn about the orchestral approach). Just to make sure I understand, in this example:

The main purpose of using the pedal is to (very briefly) sustain the D+B diad, without sustaining the G? I'm finding it difficult to avoid sustaining the G, what with the tempo.

UPDATE: I put on a high-heeled shoe for this piece, and it helped a lot. The higher heel position shortens the distance that my foot needs to travel to depress the pedal. This might be obvious to others, but as someone who has only ever played barefoot at home, I was surprised by how much of a difference this made for me.

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themeandvariation

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Re: "Bracket" pedal markings on sheet music

Reply #5 on: October 28, 2020, 04:53:27 PM

"The main purpose of using the pedal is to (very briefly) sustain the D+B diad, without sustaining the G? I'm finding it difficult to avoid sustaining the G, what with the tempo."

Yes, exactly. High heels - Im glad that helps. Some like to use a block (2 to 3 inches, depending) under the foot - should you want to still use your bare feet.

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4'33"

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