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Pedals on Early Fortepianos
I asked ChatGPT the following question: “Did pedals exist when the fortepiano was first developed?”
When the fortepiano was first developed in the early 18th century, pedals were not yet common, and foot-operated pedals like those on modern pianos did not exist. Early fortepianos already had mechanisms for sustaining sound and altering tone color, but these were operated by hand levers or "knee levers" controlled by the performer’s knees.
For example, the earliest fortepiano designed by Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700 included a mechanism to lift the dampers, but this was operated by hand or knee, not by a foot pedal. By the late 18th century, especially during Mozartʼs era, "knee levers" became widely used. These allowed performers to lift the string dampers and sustain notes while playing.
True foot-operated pedals began to appear from the late 18th century into the early 19th century. During this period, fortepianos started incorporating foot pedals, evolving into the form closer to today’s pianos. By Beethoven’s time, pianos with foot pedals became more common, and Beethoven himself composed using such instruments.
In summary, fortepianos initially did not have pedals but instead used hand or knee-operated mechanisms. Foot-operated pedals became more common from the late 18th century to the early 19th century.
I followed up with ChatGPT4o: “How many types of levers for sustaining sound or altering tone color existed on fortepianos of that time?”
The early fortepianos had several types of levers and mechanisms for sustaining sound and altering tone color. These varied depending on the time period and the instrument maker. Here are some of the main types:
Damper-Lifting Lever (Sustain Mechanism)
This mechanism lifted the string dampers to sustain notes. In the earliest fortepianos, this was typically controlled by a "knee lever," allowing the performer to lift all the dampers at once to sustain the sound.
Una Corda Lever
This mechanism shifted the hammers to strike only one string (or one or two out of three) to produce a softer tone. While later pianos used the soft pedal for this function, early fortepianos employed hand or knee-operated levers.
Moderator Lever
This mechanism inserted felt or cloth between the hammers and strings to soften the sound or alter the tone color. Although this function was later incorporated into foot pedals, early fortepianos used hand or knee-operated devices for this effect.
Bass Damper-Lifting Lever
This lever lifted only the dampers on the bass strings, allowing the lower register to sustain independently. This was also operated by the hand or knee and created a distinctive resonance.
These mechanisms varied by maker, era, and region but were primarily designed to control sustain and tone color. Unlike modern piano pedals, these devices on early fortepianos required performers to adjust them by hand or knee during performance.
In conclusion, early fortepianos featured four main types of levers or devices for altering sound, enabling sustain and tonal variation.