How To: Use Piano Pedals
In this article, you’ll discover which pedals a piano has, what they’re used for, and how to use them like a pro.
SHARE:
Gordon November
Gordon November
Navigation
Pedal playing on the piano is the icing on the cake. It simply makes your songs, interpretations, and compositions sound better. And using them is a lot of fun too.
For you, that means: Hitting the keys is the duty. Using pedals is the reward.
But what are piano pedals actually for? Why do some pianos have two and some three pedals? And what kind of sound do the right and left pedals produce?
You’ll learn all that – and a bit more – in this article. Plus: I’ll show you how to use the pedals intuitively when playing the piano. So, completely without strict guidelines or rules. Instead, with much more feeling and incredible sonic power!
Curious? Then let’s get started!
Probably the Most Important Piano Pedal: The Right Pedal
Some people play piano for ten years and only ever use the right pedal. Their foot has never even touched the left or middle pedal.
Why is that?
Because the right pedal has the biggest sonic effect. But more on that later. First, I want to explain what the right pedal actually does.
The right pedal is also called the sustain pedal. It creates a wonderful tapestry of sound.
You press the right pedal with your foot. Ideally, with the ball of your foot. And with feeling. Then the notes truly blend into each other.
The Left Pedal for Quiet Notes
You use the left pedal when you want to play more quietly, even with consistent key pressure.
Psst. Just between us: I actually think the left pedal isn’t necessary at all. You determine the volume of your notes and chords through your key touch. The left pedal might be a small aid, but nobody truly needs it.
By the way: The mechanism behind the left piano pedal differs between grand pianos and upright pianos.
Left Pedal on an Upright Piano
On an upright piano, pressing the left pedal moves the hammers closer to the strings. You’ll also notice a later pressure point on the keys.
Hammers? Strings? If that sounds like gibberish to you right now, feel free to take a look at my article on the structure of a piano. I’ll shed some light on it there.
Left Pedal on a Grand Piano
Play Piano by Intuition
Now we’ve discussed the mechanism on an upright piano. But what does the left pedal do on a grand piano? The hammer on a grand piano usually strikes three strings. As soon as you press the left pedal, the strings shift slightly to the side. The result: The hammer only strikes two strings or one string.
You’ll notice the different pedal mechanisms yourself when you practice on an upright piano at home and then eventually encounter a grand piano.
You’ll then notice that the pressure point on a grand piano is always identical – even when you operate the pedals. It’s different on an upright piano. Here, the pressure point is slightly later. This means: When you press the left pedal on an upright piano, the notes only sound after a deeper pressure point. Simply because the piano’s hammers move further back.
The Middle Pedal on Upright and Grand Pianos
The middle pedal is generally used to dampen the notes. At least, when it’s a moderator pedal.
This pedal dampens the attack by placing a felt strip between the hammers and strings. This creates a rather quiet and quite muffled sound.
Between you and me: I don’t like this sound at all. It affects your piano’s sound too much. That’s why I hardly ever use the moderator pedal.
The felt strip dampening technique is now outdated. Today, pianos have a lever – usually not immediately visible under the keyboard. If you engage it, everything immediately sounds more muffled and quieter.
How to Use Piano Pedals Like a Pro
Now you already know the pedals you might encounter on a piano. And you know what functions the left pedal, the right pedal, and the middle pedal perform. Wow, you’ve made a big step!
Now you’re probably itching for some practice. And with me, that’s never in short supply, of course. The Intuinauts at piano.university know that. And you certainly do too. So, let’s get to it. Uh…the keys.
Using the Left Pedal
Using the left pedal is especially simple. You just use it whenever you want to play particularly quietly. You can do that – but you don’t have to. Because, as I said: You can determine and control the volume of every note yourself through your key touch. With a little practice, you’ll be able to do this within a few weeks. But of course, if you’d like to use the left pedal as support for ‘quiet notes,’ then feel free.
Using the Right Pedal
What’s really interesting for me – and for you as an aspiring piano pro – is the right pedal. It’s also called the sustain pedal, by the way.
Here, it’s NOT a case of: Just press it and go. There are a few rules to observe. Don’t worry, they’re simple. But important. And incredibly valuable for your piano playing.
The Sustain Pedal Rules
You should always use the sustain pedal consciously.
Even though it’s called the sustain pedal, that doesn’t mean you should hold it down continuously. Just putting your foot on it and playing isn’t the way. You create the tapestry of sound by lifting your foot occasionally and then consciously pressing the sustain pedal again. Anything else will create a swamp of blurred notes. Your ear can get used to that. Then, unlearning the continuous holding of the right pedal can be tedious. So: Use it consciously from the start.
You should release the sustain pedal at the right moments.
You already know: Pressing the pedal continuously = no no! Instead, you should use it consciously. This primarily means releasing the sustain pedal at the right moments. But when are these right moments? For example, with every chord change. Personally, however, I find that your own feeling tells you best when to release the pedal. By the way, a free workshop on playing by feel or intuition awaits you at the end of this article.
You should press the pedal at the right moment.
This rule sounds obvious, right? So tell me: When would you press the pedal? Most beginners actually press the pedal first and then start playing. Or they play and press simultaneously. Unfortunately, both are wrong! You should always press the pedal after you’ve already struck the notes. Then you’ll get that beautiful tapestry-of-sound effect without the notes blurring.
Using Piano Pedals Intuitively - Here's How
At piano.university, I’ll show you how to use the three pedals intuitively – and always keep your feet in control.
Do you want to learn more about the effect and use of the pedals? Then I warmly invite you to join us Intuinauts. We’re waiting for you in the Masterclass Intuition. Hundreds of enthusiastic piano players have already learned intuitive piano playing here. And, of course, they’ve also learned how to properly use the pedals on their instrument.
Free Piano Workshop for You
As they say, save the best for last: I’ve prepared a free workshop for you. Completely without any obligations. Here you’ll learn the basics of intuitive piano playing. And you’ll intuitively play your first melodies and chords on your keyboard instrument.
Have you completed the workshop and want to learn even more? Then you can test the Masterclass Intuition for seven days free of charge afterwards. Fully and without restrictions.
Sounds good? Then feel free to sign up for the Intuition Workshop and discover probably the most beautiful way to make music.
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every musical key within a few weeks.
(no sheet music knowledge required)
Share this post:
More topics for you:
Play Piano by Intuition
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every key signature within just a few weeks.
(no knowledge of sheet music required)
