Fortepiano Knee Levers (Pedals): Effects Lost on Modern Pianos

[@noshirm6285]

Most informative! 😃

[@Zdrange03]

The moderator pedal basically works like the mute pedal on uprights... I was actually always told that mute pedals on grands were not possible because gravity works in the wrong direction for horizontal actions, but I could never really accept this "explanation"...

[@Harm_1_160]

Very clear and usefull video's! Glad I came a cross this channel.

[@DanielAdamMaltz]

Thank you! I'm happy that you find these videos helpful.

[@eliseopeirano707]

The basson lever: u forgot me

[@DanielAdamMaltz]

I love the effect of the bassoon lever; however, the fortepiano I used in the video doesn’t have one.

[@Robotron-wd9em]

0:41 isn't the moderator similar to the sordina (middle pedal) in an upright piano? they serve different needs but are basically the same thing

[@DanielAdamMaltz]

They may be similar, but serve completely different purposes. The moderator on a fortepiano is used to change the color of the sound for artistic purposes. The muted effect achieved by the middle pedal on some upright pianos is meant to dampen the sound so that one can practice without bothering the neighbors - it wasn’t meant to serve an artistic purpose.

[@Robotron-wd9em]

I agree but i think that the middle pedal in an upright piano gives also a quite colorfull character to the sound and I personaly think it should also used more as an effect in newer romantic style composition.

[@paulromsky9527]

Nice video. I saw somewhere that some Fortepianos had a 3rd Knee Lever. From what I recall, it put a metal sheet with thin felt on one side that could be put down on the strings when actuated. This gave the notes a buzzing "distorted" sound. So even back then, the masters liked distortion as much as today's heavy metal musicians. I can see it now... Mozart in a Guitar Center picking out a distortion pedal for his synthesizer gig with Metallica, with Beethoven in the back room cranking an amp up to max to hear the music, and Chopin in the corner just shaking his head in disgust [smile]. Can you elaborate on that Knee Pedal, what was it called, how did it work, how did it sound?

[@DanielAdamMaltz]

You certainly paint an interesting picture! I think the effect you’re referring to is the bassoon stop and it imitates the sound of a bassoon in the lower register of the keyboard. It works by placing a paper roll on the strings to achieve a metallic sound.

[@paulromsky9527]

@@DanielAdamMaltz Thanks, Bassoon Stop, I will research it. Remember the film "Amadeus"? If Mozart was really like that, he would fit in today. I would love to make a fim with many of the greats suddenly plunged into 2024 and how they would react and explore how music has evolved. Like Brian Eno showing Tchaikovsky how to add ambiance to his music. Or Flea showing Bach how a slap bass technique can be added to his string sections. Oh, and Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap showing Beethoven how his amps go to 11.

[@MiguelTicona]

the moderns pianos are, Synth and digital or hybrid piano, not traditional pianos

[@fareastmov]

00:13

[@modernmozart813]

And yet you didn’t demonstrate it by using your knees 😅

[@DanielAdamMaltz]

Haha, good point! I had to use my hands so that I could face the camera.

[@RememberGodHolyBible]

Theſe ſound ſo much better than modern pianos. Doth any company ſtill make them ?