To Pedal or Not to Pedal

To 'Pedal or Not to Pedal' - isn't actually the only question, but it is one that we need to ask.

• If the answer to the question is yes - then...we have to ask which one. 

On acoustic pianos we don't use our hands to play with the Pedals...if you notice the are located in the middle of the piano right next to the floor...and your feet. We use both of our feet to play the pedals and which foot we use will depend on which pedal we're playing. 

We use both of our feet to play the pedals and which foot we use will depend on which pedal we're playing. 

We play the right pedal with our right foot. We play the middle and left pedal with our left foot.

There are 3 different pedals because each one creates a distinct sound when used and each one is used in music according to the unique sound that it makes.

• The far right pedal is called the Sustain Pedal and is the most used of all 3 of the pedals. This pedal creates a very full sound that is louder than playing the notes with just the keys. When we press this pedal it allows all of the notes to be heard at one time.
• The middle pedal is called the Soft Pedal and is used as the name suggests; to soften the volume and tone of the notes being played.
• The far left pedal is called the Sostenuto Pedal and is used to affect certain notes that are being played without affecting all of the notes. This pedal is used the least and isn’t really encountered in music until a more advanced level of playing has developed. 

Look for these symbols in your music.

• The first one means to press your pedal down and the second one means that you release the pedal and stop using it.

​Besides being able to see when you need to press or release your pedal from the notation in your music, it’s also important to know how and when to use pedals when you are playing without music.

After you’ve gotten used to using the pedals with music, you’ll have a much better sense of how they sound individually and how to use them to create louder or softer sounds as well as fuller or more muted sounds.

• These different sounds also create different emotional effects such as mystery, grandeur, tenderness, surprise, and others.

Once you know what type of sound you want to create in your own music you’ll know which pedal key to use and when to use it.

• Use the Sustain Pedal when you want to create a sense of grandness, fullness, and ongoing sound.
• Use the Soft Pedal when you want a more mysterious, ethereal type of sound; or, when you’re playing something sad or even gentle.
• Use the Sostenuto Pedal when you want to create different sounds with different notes at the same time.

The more you explore using the different pedals the better you will become at playing them with music and without music and you will enjoy the wide range of effects that they create in your sound.

Stay Tuned to pianolessonsontheweb.com to learn much more and achieve your dream of playing the piano!