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I've been playing piano >20 years but have never had a working sostenuto pedal at my disposal (always had uprights, cheap practice grands). Are there any pieces you'd recommend to break it in?

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Andy Matuschak

@andy_matuschak

· Jun 14, 2021

Nevertheless very excited to be cramming this into our tiny SF home today. (Now alas leaving town for several weeks, will have to wait to play…)

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12:46 AM · Jun 14, 2021Twitter Web App

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Last night I ran into the first place in prior repertoire where the sos pedal improved my playing. Was in an arrangement of "Married Life" from Up. Have to use RH on the chord's A5, but can't stretch RH up to E6 in top staff. Damper pedal too muddy for this slow scale. Sostenuto!

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Chopin Nocturne op 9 no 1 (no 2 is the more famous but 1 might be better for this case)

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Prelude in C# minor by Rachmaninoff!

Matt Howlett

@matt_howlett

Jun 14, 2021

yes, absolutely, prelude in c# minor by rachmaninoff, makes a big difference. i noticed the edition i currently have (schirmer's) doesn't show the markings though

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Chopin nocturne op 15 no 1 - not too much sustenuto, but when it's applied feels good to play

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i'm partial to Lied (Op. 42 No. 13) by Alec Rowley i played it for an exam a couple (3-4 years? time really flies) years ago:)

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Schumann - Valse Allemande, Schumann - Carnaval op. 9 Paganini, Beethoven - Sonata op 53 3 mov, Chopin - Noturno op 27 nº 2

Andy Matuschak

@andy_matuschak

Jun 14, 2021

I see where it'd be really useful in the Beethoven sonata and in the nocturne! I'm curious: where would you use it in the Schumann?

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No idea whether this piece benefits from that pedal, but as I'm currently practicing The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (on electric guitar), it's the only piece I am capable of recommending for the foreseeable future.

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Carlos De la Guardia

@dela3499

· May 12, 2021

The Girl with the Flaxen Hair, by Debussy I’m practicing my prog rock guitar version of the piece atm. (The final recording will have drums and additional layers of guitar.)

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My brother-in-law suggests: Rachmaninoff C#-Minor Prelude, Scriabin Sonata-Fantasy No.2