sans pédale

Without pedal — the designation on W.F. Bach's 8 Fugues, F. 31, indicating that these keyboard fugues are written for harpsichord or clavichord rather than organ. The absence of pedal confines the writing to hand-only textures and distinguishes these works from organ fugues in the style of J.S. Bach.

Playing sans pédale fugues requires the two hands to carry the complete contrapuntal texture without any bass reinforcement. Voice-leading must be absolutely clear and each entry of the subject given sufficient weight to project above the counter-voices without over-accenting.