Have you ever sat down at a piano and tinkeld the ivories, only to realize after a few notes that there are pedals beneath your feet?! Though the amount can vary, most pianos and keyboards have between 1 and 3 pedals. In this article we will explain what each pedal does and how you can incorporate it into your playing!
Right Pedal: The Sustain (Damper) Pedal
The damper is the most commonly used pedal on the piano. If your keyboard only has one pedal, this is the one! The damper pedal works by releasing the dampers, (tiny felt pads that are pressed against the piano strings) allowing each note to sustain after the keys have been released. This technique creates a smoother and more connected sound.
Left Pedal: The Soft (Una Corda) Pedal
The soft pedal does exactly what its name suggests; it makes the piano sound a bit softer! In a grand piano, this pedal shifts the hammers to strike a single string at a time (normally 3 strings are struck inside the piano for each note), which makes the instrument quieter. In an upright piano, the soft pedal shifts the hammers closer to the strings so they are unable to strike as hard.
The soft pedal is often used when accompanying another instrument or singer, or for a special effect when a more intimate tone is required.
Middle Pedal: The Bass Sustain, Mute or Sostenuto Pedal
The middle pedal is more complex than the other two pedals! Depending on the era or brand of the piano, the middle pedal can serve different functions. On most modern pianos it is a sostentu pedal, which is like the damper pedal but for specific notes! If you press a couple keys down and then press the sostentu pedal, those notes will sustain as if the damper was down, but all the other notes on the piano will act normally.
On older pianos and uprights, the middle pedal may be a mute or bass sustain pedal! A mute pedal is like an extreme version of the soft pedal. It works by placing a piece of felt between the strings and the hammers, creating a muffled and soft sound. A bass sustain pedal works like the damper, but only engages the bottom half of the piano.
The middle pedal is rarely used, but it is important to understand! When it is required, nothing else will do!
Pedal Technique
Players should use their left foot for the left pedal and their right foot for the right pedal. The middle pedal, when needed, can be pressed by either foot, but the left is the preferred choice.
As you sit at the bench keep your heels on the floor. Then, set the ball of your foot over the widest part of each pedal.
For the damper pedal, it is important to remember that it is sensitive! It should be thought of more like a gas pedal than an on/off switch!
Closing Notes
We hope this article has inspired you to sit down at the piano and experiment with the pedals! Now that you know what the pedals on the piano are for, we hope you can see that they are just as much a part of the instrument as the keys! If you would like to take your piano knowledge even further, contact us today! We work with some of Toronto’s best music teachers an