So, let's talk about damper lift

[A440A at aol.com]

Greetings, 
     I am having some considerations banging around in my head about just how 
much pedal lift is the optimum amount.  I thought I would toss it out, rather 
than spending sleep time chasing down all the possibilities; (I once saw a 
cartoon of a guy in bed, lights out, eyes wide open,  and in the "thought 
balloon" over his head was an exploded view of a complete Volkswagon engine.  that 
could be me with an action, a Timex watch, or any number of arcane 
assemblages). 

       If the pedal lifts the dampers higher than the keyends, the underlever 
drop can be felt in the keys as the damper pedal is lowered. I don't like 
this bump, and removing it for pianists has caused them to begin describing the 
change as a "smoother touch", or "I can't tell what you did, but this feels 
better" sort of thing. 
So,  I think this is a good thing.
      Having the pedal set so that the keystroke lifts the dampers the 
slightest amount above the pedal causes the contact between keyend felt and 
underlever to occur just as escapement is happening. I really prefer to make the 
escapement zone as transparent as possible so that pianissimo playing is most 
controllable.  So,  I wonder if this is too much of an improvement.
     Having the pedal lift only enough to clear the dampers from the string 
will often make a very short throw of the pedal and some pianists have 
expressed trouble half-pedaling with so little movement available. 
I am interested in the collective ideas here about this.  Anyone? 

Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html