Pedal Timing and Tempo in Expressive Piano Performance: A Preliminary Investigation*

The timing of pedal depressions and releases was measured relative to key depressions and releases in two pianists' performances of Robert Schumann's "Traumerei" on an electronic instrument. Each pianist provided 9 complete performances, 3 at each of 3 tempi, which were analyzed by examining in detail those positions in the music in which the pedal was used consistently. The principal questions were whether and how pedal timing adjusts to changes in global tempo (across performances) and in local tempo (within performances): Do pedal release times, onset times, or change (onset minus release) times exhibit absolute or relative invariance across either or both of these tempo changes? The results do not suggest any simple answer, since neither type of invariance was observed consistently. Pedal timing emerges as having a complex pattern that is sensitive to local and global tempo changes in varying degrees, yet exhibits consistency across repeated performances by the same pianist. There were striking differences in pedal timing between the two pianists, who differed in level of skill.