How to use the sustain pedal

Legato pedalling

This is the most common use of the sustain pedal. "Legato" is Italian for "tied together", and so legato pedalling is a technique that creates a smooth, connected sound.

3. Now (with the pedal down), repeat this technique with C chord. E.g. play the chord, and straight away lift the sustaining pedal up and down.

4. Now try to move between each chord and keep using the damper pedal in this way.

5. Remember this saying "NO BREAKS - NO BLURS" for good legato pedalling.

E.g. NO BREAKS - we should not hear any silence or gaps between each chord.

NO BLURS - the music should not become "mushy" so that all the notes blur into each other. The pedal needs to go swiftly up and down at each new chord (or series of notes).

Direct pedalling

Here the pedal is depressed as the notes are played. There will be a gap between chords, unlike in legato pedalling.

Notation for the sustain pedal

1. In traditional scored music, the pedal is depressed at the symbol "Ped" and released at an ornate asterisk symbol (*).

2. The modern way of notating pedal markings is with a line with a bar at both ends .E.G |______|

3. The symbols __/\___ are used when the pedal is to be quickly released and then depressed again.

How to use the soft pedal

The soft pedal on a piano (the one on the left) requires much less technique - it really is just a question of depressing it at the right moment, as instructed by the music.

On most upright acoustic pianos, the soft pedal engages a piece of felt that presses against the strings and prevents them from resonating as they normally would. On grand pianos, the soft pedal functions very differently. When the soft pedal is depressed, the keyboard (and hammers) shift slightly to the right. If we now play a key, the hammers will only strick two of the three strings associated with that note. (In the lower section the hammers can only play one of the two strings). Once the soft pedal is released, the keyboard returns to it's normal position. Hence the musical effect is quite different from an upright piano. On an upright, using the soft pedal gives a more muted, "wooly" sound. On a grand piano, the notes sound quieter, because the hammers are hitting less strings.

Notation for the soft pedal

Look out for the words "Una Corda" (literally meaning "one string") and depress the pedal at this point. The pedal should be released at the words "Tre Corda" ("Three Strings") (or "Tutte Corde"). Sometimes the asterisk symbol is used instead of the words "Tre Corda".

How to use the sostenuto pedal

1. Locate the sostenuto pedal with your left foot. This is the middle of the three pedals. (The sostenuto pedal is usually only available on some grand pianos and more expensive electric pianos).

2. Play a chord and KEEP THE NOTES DOWN.

3. Depress the sostenuto pedal, and then release the notes.

4. The notes should continue to sound.

5. Now try playing some more notes, whilst continuing to hold down the sostenuto pedal. You will notice that the original chord still continues to sound as you play these notes.

6. It is also possible to use the sustain and soft pedals whilst deploying the sostenuto pedal. Try repeating steps 1 throught to 5. When you are on step 5, depress the damper pedal as you play the notes. You will notice that these notes also continue to sustain, along with the notes from the sostenuto pedal.

Note: some acoustic pianos have three pedals, with the middle being a "practise pedal". This can usually be depressed and then pushed to the side to keep the pedal down. The pedal has the effect of softening all the notes. A useful device for when your child is practising!

Notation for the sostenuto pedal

The sostenuto pedal is depressed at the letters S.P. and held down until the asterisk *

General tips on using the sustain pedal & other pedals:-

1. To pedal correctly, place the heel of the foot on the floor, and the toe end (ball) of your foot on the pedal. Press the pedal downwards by pivoting your foot.

2. Do not "pump" the pedal. The heel of your foot should always remain on the floor. It is for this reason that it is unwise for young children to use the pedal. It is generally better to wait until a child is tall enough for them to be able to sit at a piano or keyboard and be able to rest their feet on the floor. At this point they may be introduced to using the pedals.

3. In musical works (or long sections) where the pedal is not called for, rest your foot to the side of the pedal.

4. If you are a beginner at the piano or keyboard, practise the music without the pedal first. Only add it in when you are confident of the section that you are working on. Never use the pedal as a means of "covering up" bad technique or sections that you are not fully in control of.