Have you ever wondered what those pedals under the piano actually do? With pedals, you add color and emotion to your piano playing. They make the piano more expressive and versatile, even if you’re just starting out!
Let’s discover together how pedals enhance your musical possibilities and why they’re incredibly useful for beginners too.
What exactly are the pedals on a piano?
How many pedals does a piano usually have?
A modern standard piano typically has three pedals:
- The soft pedal (left)
- The middle pedal (sostenuto or practice pedal)
- The sustain pedal (right)
Depending on the type and brand of piano, the middle pedal can vary.
Short explanation of the names and functions of the pedals
| Pedal | Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Left | Soft pedal (una corda) | Softer and more subtle sound |
| Middle | Sostenuto or practice pedal | Sustains specific notes or dampens sound |
| Right | Sustain pedal (damper) | Allows notes to resonate longer |
The sustain pedal (right pedal): The most commonly used pedal
How does the sustain pedal actually work?
The sustain pedal lifts all the dampers off the strings, allowing them to resonate after you release the keys. This creates a fuller, richer sound and enables smooth transitions (legato). It also creates natural resonance, causing other strings to subtly vibrate.
The sustain pedal works mechanically, which means experienced pianists can also press the pedal partially (half-pedaling) to achieve more subtle effects.
In addition, there’s the concept of ‘repedaling’: subtly reapplying the pedal without it being audible. Pianists like Andreas Schiff use this technique very lightly in Bach’s music to create a subtle effect that’s more felt than heard, even though Bach traditionally is played without a pedal.
Tips for using the pedal beautifully while playing
- Press the pedal again with each chord change to maintain clarity.
- Keep your heel on the ground and operate the pedal smoothly with the ball of your foot.
- Listen carefully to the effect of the pedal use to avoid a muddy sound.
- Experiment with partial pedal pressing to introduce subtler nuances in your playing.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Holding it down too long results in a blurry, unclear sound. Practice timing!
- Use the pedal consciously, not as a stopgap for difficult passages.
- Always listen critically to the effect of your pedal use.
The soft pedal (left pedal): Subtle and atmospheric
When and how do you use the soft pedal?
The soft pedal slightly shifts the hammers, causing them to strike fewer strings. This results in a softer and more muted sound. Ideal for calm, sensitive passages where subtle dynamics are essential.
Note: beginners often use the soft pedal to make playing softly easier. However, that’s not the purpose: the pedal serves as a musical tool, not as a solution for technical challenges.
Examples of pieces where this pedal fits well
- Romantic works by Chopin
- Sensitive passages in Beethoven’s sonatas
- Contemporary music with a delicate atmosphere
The middle pedal: Necessary or not?
Why not every piano has the same middle pedal
Not every piano has the same function for the middle pedal. More expensive instruments often have a sostenuto pedal, while cheaper or smaller models sometimes have a practice pedal that heavily dampens the sound.
Explaining the different functions: sostenuto and practice pedal
- Sostenuto pedal: Holds only the notes you’re playing at the time you use the pedal. Perfect for more advanced pieces.
- Practice pedal: Significantly dampens the sound for quiet practice, ideal for beginners in apartments.
Is this pedal useful for beginners?
For beginners, the sostenuto pedal is usually less important due to its complexity. A practice pedal can be very handy, especially if you want to practice quietly at home without disturbing your surroundings.
How do you learn to use pedals during piano lessons?
How do we teach you to use pedals at Studio MusicalMente?
At Studio MusicalMente in The Hague, you learn to use pedals step by step. We provide personal guidance and let you experience how pedals make your piano playing more beautiful and expressive. Not just technique, but also feeling and timing are covered.
Practical exercises you can try at home
- Sustain pedal: Play simple chord changes and listen carefully to when you press and release the pedal.
- Soft pedal: Experiment with calm passages to sense and hear the subtle difference in sound.
- Middle pedal: Do you have this pedal? Try holding down some notes while playing other melodies.
Get more from your piano playing with pedals!
Pedals add depth, emotion, and variety to your piano playing. Even as a beginner, you’ll notice how quickly your playing improves by using pedals more consciously. You’re not just playing music, you’re telling a story.
Curious about how pedals can elevate your piano playing to the next level?
Ready to start? Schedule a free 15-minute conversation to discuss your goals and find out how I can help with piano lessons in The Hague.
Who am I?
I’m Luca Ridolfo, and I founded Studio MusicalMente in 2018. I’ve been driven by music since childhood. But I wasn’t a Musical Prodigy. I greatly enjoyed making music and had a drive to learn more about it. My music teachers always supported and encouraged me to keep going.
And indeed, I continued to the point of completing a music education at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. And even now, I never stop learning.
I strongly believe everyone can enhance their musicality and that this shouldn’t be reserved only for children. That’s why I decided to open a music school for adults in The Hague.
I believe learning creative hobbies with experienced role models is one of the best ways to develop new skills and learn more about yourself.