Piano Questions: Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement – Keeping the Left Pedal Down

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Your video on pedal use with Moonlight Sonata was very helpful. I noticed you used the left pedal (Una Corda?) as well. And, I think you kept it down continually as you played. If so, why?
Thank you for the huge amount of time you’ve devoted to helping us all learn to play better,
– Leslie

You are very perceptive! Since the entire first movement of the Moonlight Sonata is quiet, the una corda pedal is appropriate for this movement. However, the una corda pedal has dramatically different degrees of tonal change on various pianos. So on some instruments, it may be necessary to use the una corda only in some sections.

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  1. Robert, thank you for your interesting and helpful information. I play both harp and piano. Some of your ideas about playing music are also helpful for the harp. I’ll be sending my students to your website for education.

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