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What, exactly, is a half damper pedal?

Virtually all the digital pianos I've looked at include one. They all look like a whole pedal to me ;-) Two for two salespersons were not able to answer this question.

Thank you,

Kevin

A Half Pedal allows you to use the Half Pedalling Technique, just like on a real piano. It also means that the damper pedal is graded, so it is not just an on/off pedal, but it has many positions, just like a piano.

Chris

OK, now I feel I'm more of a neophyte than I am! The only pedaling that I'm familiar with on a real piano is the sustain pedal (aka damper pedal).

What is the "Half Pedaling Technique"?. Is it like "double clutching"?

Kevin

Basically, the half pedalling technique uses the damper pedal. What it does is it allows you to "swell" the sound. For example, if you play a note or chord loudly, you can swell the sound. To do this:

1)Depress the damper pedal fully.
2)Strike and Release a note or chord.
3)Without fully letting up, use a swelling motion on the damper pedal. As a result, you will hear the sound of the note or chord fading slowly away each time you swell the pedal.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I'll have to give this a try! Perhaps when the family is away and I can "play".

Kevin

Actually, what Jazz is describing is Re-Pedaling.
Half damper is when you press the sustain pedal at less than half its travel motion and the sustain tail of a note will be shorter, with less volume and with a slightly different timbre.