In my score of this piece the 1st beat of measure 1 has a down pedal mark but no up pedal mark is ever shown again for the 1st 8 measures. Does this mean you hold down the pedal all the way until measure 9 where you again see a down pedal mark?

If I play with the pedal down throughout the 1st 8 measures it begins to sound muddy.

Modulator: Please move this to Adult Beginner.