At 22:52 04/04/2000 -0600, you wrote: >Not only that, but encyclopedias are frequently incorrect. As an >example, if you have Encarta 2000, try looking under piano and check out >what they say the functions of the pedals are on a grand piano. (Maybe I >have been wrong all these years about this - NOT) > >John R. Fortiner I am (un)fortunate not to have that font of (dis)information. Inquiring minds want to know. Pedal functions sounds like something I should know sometime. Here are some things I've seen reference to: Functions for pedals on Pianoforte. Forte/Damper/Loud Mechanism for raising dampers -originally a hand stop -function of first pedal used by Broadwood -w/split pedals allowed either half or all to be lifted Bass Damper Raises dampers of overstrung section only Piano/Pianozug/Practice/Celeste/Moderator/Mute/jeu celeste Places strip of cloth or leather between hammer and string Pianissimo Tapered strip of felt allowed diminuendi - 1800 Hawkins Una corda/Verscheibung/Shift Literally "one string" Action shifted so hammers strike 1, 2 or 3 strings Harp/Pizzicato Strip of leather moved against side of string while hammer moves to strike only that string. -imitative of harpsichord "buff" stop Buff/jeu de luth Strip of leather moved against one string of unison -possibly used as tuning aid in treble -imitative of harpsichord "buff" stop Sordin/Mute/Sourdine Piece of wood lined with soft leather, hair of silk shag placed on string close to bridge -if leather lined: Lautenzug Lute stop -if shag lined: Harfenzug Harp stop Harpsichord/Cembalo Bone or ivory tipped leather tabs moved in between hammers and strings to produce a tinkling sound -"Rinky-Tink" attachment is modern equivalent. Swell "Nag's Head" - lifted entire lid with stick "Venetian" - shutters opened progressively Harmonic/Harmonique A second set of hammers or a bar which touched strings at midpoint to produce "echo" effect - Petzold Paris) 1829 Harmonic Swell Piano had a double bridge system which had a separate set of dampers between them which could be raised o allow sympathetic vibration of strings between the bridges. - Patent Collard 1821 Dolce Compana Weights applied pressure to soundboard at eight places, pitch was thus lowered and rapid pedaling could produce a sort of tremolo. Patent 1849, James A. Grey Mfg. by Boardman & Grey (Albany, NY) - Picture p. 247 Gill Cymbals Two or three strips of thin brass made to strike bass strings. Bassoon/Fagotzug Roll of parchment or stiff paper placed against strings of bottom octaves. Octave couplers Generally only added the octave above. - one early eighteenth century French piano could add the octave above in the treble and the octave below in the bass. Sostenudo Selective damper pedal -hold only the dampers of keys depressed when pedal is pressed. Soft/Half-blow/Hammer move/Pedale d'expression Moves hammers closer to the strings to reduce the force of the blow. Piano scandé Like above, but could move one octave at a time, several or together. Drum Played small drum inside of case, or struck soundboard with padded hammer. -Some had a set of tuned drums which could be played from the keys. Bells Played set of bells inside of case. Janissary/Turkish music Combination stop played bells, drum and cymbal simultaneously. Janissary Loesser describes a pyramid piano which had figures on either side holding bells and cymbals. This pedal combined the janissary stop with movement or the figures. -Hirt identifies maker as Johann Kaspar Schlimbach of Königshofen (Wurzburg) Genouillère Any stop operated by knee. Transposer Shifted action up or down as much as minor third. -Érard (Paris) and Wooley (Nottingham) moved strings and frame. -Edward Ryley moved keys. -Æolian moved action. Conrad Hoffsommer - Luther College, Decorah, IA My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.
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