Post by dkPost by HermanPost by dkAbsolutely! This is so obvious one wonders
how so many people have not figured this
out! Of course Herman is a fiddler who
does not understand the pedals' role in
making music! ;-)
just the facts.
if you look at footage of her rehearsing or
playing the piano at home she's not teetering
about in heels.
Yes we have all seen that video!
-- not all pianos are the same height
I'm sure you meant to say "not all pedals are the same height" as the
height of the piano doesn't come into it.
Channeling my inner Al Bundy, and conceptualizing the shape of a
women's high heel shoe, that while the heel is extended off the floor,
the toe section, which is that part of the foot used for pedaling, is
not. In fact, the reach of a person's toes in terms of length does not
differ very much whether high heels or flats (unless they are the
garish high heels which also have a extension under the toes, but I
haven't seen Yuja, or anyone else, wearing those at concert.)
One might argue that the heels are used as fulcrums, and that they
change the angle of pedaling to be more downward. This is irrelevant,
as any lack of height would imply lack of reach, and having a fulcrum
position higher would require a performer to have to move her knees
forward, thus bending her legs slightly more, reducing her reach.
Also, the velocity or force of pedal itself imparts no musical input,
as it simply raises or lowers the dampers on the strings. We have also
not considered that heels are intrinsically more awkward to walk with,
and may present similar problems in pedaling.
Perhaps I have not thought this out completely and am missing some
element, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
But are there any women pianists left in our audience who have actually
played in heels that could tell us whether it is easier or harder to do
so?
-Owen, "Let those who ride, decide."
-- motorcyclists slogan against requiring helmets.