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How to Use the Piano Pedals

The piano pedals demystified! Learn about the pedals and how to play the piano with easy pedaling techniques.

The pedals of the piano are tools for changing the sound, or color of the piano tone. They can create wonders when used properly, but also "kill" a piece if used without knowledge or care.

Remember that the greatest "controller" when using the piano pedals are your ears. Whatever the instructions say in the score- if it sounds bad, change it!

The functions of the piano pedals:

Left: The Una Corda Pedal. Middle: The Sostenuto Pedal. Right: The Sustain or Damper Pedal.

Piano Pedals

The pedals on the piano or keyboard can look a bit different and have different functions. Some pianos have two pedals, some three. So what are they used for, and what are they called?

There are three basic functions of the pedals, and one "extra" function.

The basic functions are:

To the right is the most used pedal, the Sustain or Damper pedal. Sustain means to hold or keep something. In this case the sound from all the strings in the piano gets freed when the damper is raised from the strings and the notes played becomes blended for a rich sound.
You will control the Sustain/Damper pedal with your right foot. After learning how to use it properly, you will probably use it in almost every piece you play!

In the middle there is sometimes a pedal, which on a grand piano is called Sostenuto pedal . This pedal is also controlled with your right foot.
Actually the word Sostenuto means sustained as well, but in this case the function "locks" only certain keys to get a "damp" effect. For example, you want a chord being held but at the same time play staccato, or short notes without blending them somewhere else.
Fun effect, but very rarely used. Some grand pianos do not have this pedal, but have only two. It can also exist on some upright pianos, like the Yamaha U3. (But not to be confused with the third pedal on many upright pianos, that I call the "extra" function, see below.)

To the left is the Una Corda pedal. Again Italian, meaning "one string". On a grand piano you can see how the mechanism moves the whole keyboard to the right. In doing so, the hammers that usually hit up to three strings hit one less.
On an upright piano all the hammers inside gets moved a bit closer to the strings, which slows the speed of the hammer and in this way making it possible to get a similar effect.
The Una Corda pedal gives a "sordine" or muted effect, and makes it easier to play softer, but also with a subtle change in tonal color. This pedal you will control with your left foot.

"Extra" function:

There is another function of the middle pedal in many upright pianos. The middle pedal when pushed down and locked to the side, allows a layer of felt cloth to be lowered in front of the strings. This makes the sound very much muted.

I call it the "neighbor pedal", it is to be used when you want to avoid being to loud and disturbing. However, the sound is terrible, and I would suggest using this only when absolutely necessary. (I find it better to cover the piano with a thick blanket instead!)

How to use the piano pedal:

Playing the piano and using the pedals can be a bit difficult the first times. But there are tricks to learning it. Basically we use two different techniques when using the pedal:

The "syncopated" pedal technique, which is the most common, is used to create a rich legato sound.

And the "rhythmic" pedal technique, which can both be used to emphasize the rhythm of a piece, and where otherwise shorter note values needs to be played, just to bring out some "color".

Simple piano pedal practice:

For this exercise you will only use your sustain or damper pedal to the right with your right foot.

First: Make sure your sitting position is correct. You should sit on half the piano bench with both feet on the floor next to the pedals. Keep an approximate 20-30 cm distance from your torso to the keyboard; do not sit too close!

Next: Put your right foot on the sustain pedal- the right one. The top part of your foot, so that your heel can stay comfortably on the floor at all times. Remember to always keep your heel at the floor!

1. Syncopated pedal technique:

Start by counting 1-2-3-4. On every 2, press down the pedal and hold until 1, where you lift it.

(Make sure to make a smooth lift and not to let it make a noise!)

So it will be: UP-DOWN-HOLD-HOLD and so on.

Repeat this as many times needed to make it smooth and natural.

Next, play one note on every "1" and hold while you keep the pattern going with your foot on the pedal. You can change notes, or just play the same over and over.

Your pattern will look like this, (with the note C):

(U = Up, D = Down, - = Hold)

Count:1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Play : C - - - C - - -

Pedal:U D - - U D - -

Keep repeating until fluent.

Next: Faster changes!

Count:1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Play : C - - - - - - -

Pedal:U D - - - - - -

This is the "essence" of the Syncopated pedal!

2. Rhythmic pedal technique:

When using the syncopated pedal you did the "opposite" of your playing; when you played a note, your foot went up. When playing rhythmic pedal you will do the "same" as your playing; when you play a note, you will also press down the pedal! This is a bit easier.

Count:1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Play : C - - - C - - -

Pedal:D - - U D - - U

Of course, the amount of counts you keep the pedal down depends on the length of the note value, or the effect you want to achieve.

In a waltz for example, you might want to play:

Count:1 2 3 1 2 3

Play : C E E C E E

Pedal:D U - D U -

How the piano pedal is written:

The pedaling is sometimes written in the score, sometimes not. The way to write it has changed over time, and has in the past not been written too perfect- probably because it has always been expected by the pianist to add the pedal in good taste.

And this is important! Piano's differ, the acoustic in different rooms differ. You always have to use your ears to hear if the pedal is good and serves the interpretation of the piece or not, no matter how well written the instructions are in the score.

A commonly used pedal sign:

In older notes you will see this sign. It means (Ped.) press the pedal down:
Piano Pedal down

And this means to let the pedal up:
Piano Pedal up

Here is a short piano lesson on how the pedals work:

When playing Baroque music- should you use pedal or not?

It has long been a (rather heated!)debate whether or not to use piano pedals when playing Baroque music. Sure, the piano was not invented yet, and the harpsichord does not have "piano" pedals.

Today many share the opinion that a piano is a piano and should be used as such, so if the sound can be enriched with some tasteful pedaling -why not? But of course it has to fit the style and character of the piece.(It is kind of funny how this debate has been going on for too long...)

I was one of those who was taught never, ever to use the piano pedals when playing Bach for example, at the same time it was OK not to improvise and make baroque ornaments and embellishments! (Which was up to the late 19th century more or less required of a pianist/harpsichordist or any musician for that matter! Hrrmm...)

Finally, the most important rule for using the piano pedals is: Remember always to listen, and to avoid any kind of "banging" noises!