Playing Staccato With The Pedal Down, how is this interpreted? Options

[undividedself]

In some musical phrases a composer will indicate staccato notes whilst simultaneously requiring the sustain pedal.

How should I interpret this? Am I supposed to merely 'think staccato' or do I have to play them staccato with my fingers even though acoustically it will make no difference?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[organ_dummy]

In some musical phrases a composer will indicate staccato notes whilst simultaneously requiring the sustain pedal.

How should I interpret this? Am I supposed to merely 'think staccato' or do I have to play them staccato with my fingers even though acoustically it will make no difference?

Indeed there will be differences. You should experiment with the amount of separation between the notes with your fingers and how far you press the damper pedal. (Playing on a tall upright or a grand piano will help you perceive the differences.)

[Mad Tom]

In some musical phrases a composer will indicate staccato notes whilst simultaneously requiring the sustain pedal.

How should I interpret this? Am I supposed to merely 'think staccato' or do I have to play them staccato with my fingers even though acoustically it will make no difference?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I think composers do it on purpose to make us all uncertain. The critics must love it. However you choose to interpret it they can brand it as "lacking insight into the true style of the period/composer/pieced" .

[undividedself]

@organ_dummy

Thank you. Now to go and find a grand piano and do some experimenting...


@mad tom

That's interesting. I was slightly worried that this might be the case (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

The most recent example I've found is in the Faure piece I'm learning for Grade 7 (the Andante moderato from Op.84)

In bar 24, for example, there's a pair of portato triplets with the pedal covering at least the whole of the first triplet. I've sort of been interpreting this as "to be played with dignity" but I don't have a firm clue what it's really all about (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Solari]

My digital supports "half-pedalling" and unless I'm hearing things, there is definitely a difference between staccato full pedal (ie: worthless) and half pedal?

[PianissiMole]

I can only suggest playing as it's written. Thats not intended to be trite but I think you will hear the difference between playing legato (or even legato + pedal) and the same piece played staccato + pedal. The opening bars of Wedding Day at Troldhaugen contain staccato chords, but with the sustain pedal carried over two bars. Although the effect is sustained, the staccato gives it a crispness which it would not otherwise have. The rests are - of course - quite redundant! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Mole

[hello_cello]

I've tried playing just a scale Sustained & legato, and then Sustained & staccato, I can hear a difference, its difficult to explain it, but there is a difference.