Debussy pedal

[Tom Cole]

Rogerio Cunha wrote:
> 
> Dave, there is no doubt that he was speaking about the sustain pedal and I
> can't to understand how this is possible..
> Logically speaking, the sustain pedal is on or off. There is no half way
> between on or off.

Rogerio,

I studied piano with a concert pianist and one of the things she taught
me was the technique of half pedal. This is accomplished by finding the
point in the pedal travel where the dampers are almost lifted off the
strings but still touching. It creates a hazy sort of sound - reminds me
of the sound of the old square grands with their inadequate damper system.

This kind of pedaling requires that all the dampers pick up at exactly
the same time.

Tom Cole