AT A GLANCE
Piano pedals are foot-operated levers that shape a piano’s sustain, tone and volume. Most pianos have three pedals: sustain (right), sostenuto (middle) and soft (left).
Not every piano includes a true sostenuto pedal, the middle pedal sometimes functions as a practice pedal instead. On a grand piano, all three pedals are operated with the right foot, except the soft pedal, which uses the left.
Piano pedals are foot operated levers located at the base of a piano or keyboard that can change the sound that the piano makes. Pedals allow you to connect melodies, support harmonies and bring greater expressiveness to your playing. They can make even simple pieces sound resonant and impactful. Introducing proper pedal technique is a crucial step in shaping your sound. Skoove has created this beginners guide to help you get to grips with them. Let’s dive into the world of piano pedals.
What do the pedals on a piano do?
Piano pedals let you control your articulation, timbre and what happens to notes after you play them. You can control how long piano notes ring, how soft or loud they feel and how seamlessly musical ideas transition. In short: pedals help you play piano with more expression and control. Most standard modern pianos have three pedals but this can vary especially if you have a digital piano or MIDI keyboard.
How do piano pedals work?
As we know piano pedals are foot-operated levers under the piano. When pressed these levers alter the inside mechanisms, changing how the instrument sounds. Most modern acoustic pianos have three pedals. From right to left, they are the sustain pedal, the middle pedal and the soft pedal. Let’s take a closer look at how they work and what sound each of these piano pedals makes.
Types of pedals on
Types of pedals on piano
The three types of piano pedals we will be looking at in this article will be the sustain pedal, the soft pedal and the sostenuto pedal. Some pianos have all three of these and some have none, such as MIDI piano which require you to plug one in. Be sure you check your piano before you put this knowledge into practice.
| Pedal | Position | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Sustain pedal | Right pedal | Sustains notes after you lift your fingers from the keys, creating a warm, flowing sound. |
| Soft pedal (Una Corda) | Left pedal | Makes the piano sound quieter and changes the tone, creating a softer, more delicate effect. |
| Sostenuto pedal | Middle pedal | Sustains only the notes held when the pedal is pressed, allowing other notes to be played without sustain (can also be a mute/practice pedal). |
1. Sustain pedal (right pedal)
The sustain pedal is the most commonly used pedal, also called the damper pedal. Usually located on the right, it lets notes resonate longer after a piano key is released. This helps with connecting notes smoothly in legato phrases. This simple action gives music a warm, flowing quality, ideal for ballads or lyrical pieces. Pressing it lifts all the dampers off the strings, raising the felt pads so the piano’s strings can vibrate freely.
A key piano technique for clean pedaling is to press the sustain pedal immediately after you’ve played a chord, rather than at the exact same moment. As you move to a new chord, briefly lift the pedal and press it down again in a smooth, swift motion. This quick release and pressing action prevents overlapping chords from running into each other and helps keep your piano chords sounding clear and controlled.
Steps to play the sustain pedal
Follow these simple steps to get to grips with the sustain pedal.
| 1️⃣ | Play your chord. |
| 2️⃣ | Immediately press the pedal down. |
| 3️⃣ | Hold as the chord rings. |
| 4️⃣ | Briefly lift and re-press as you change chords. |
With careful coordination, you’ll notice your playing becomes more expressive and blends more. Have a go at putting this into practice with Beethoven’s Für Elise.
Learn how to play ‘Für Elise’ by Ludwig van Beethoven. Start a 7 day trial today – no card details required!
2. Soft pedal (Una Corda, left pedal)
The left pedal, known as the una corda, is great for adding subtlety and nuance to your piano playing. Unlike the sustain pedal, which affects how long notes ring out, the una corda changes the very color and texture of your tone making it quieter and more delicate. This tonal shift allows you to create contrast within a piece, giving dynamic variety and emotional depth without changing your tempo or touch.
On a grand piano, the una corda pedal physically shifts the keyboard slightly so that the hammers strike fewer strings. Upright pianos achieve a similar effect by reducing the force of the strike and thus the volume and brightness of the notes. Both of these mechanisms provide pianists with a valuable way to control dynamics and timbre.
Steps to play the soft pedal
Follow these simple steps to get to grips with the soft pedal.
| 1️⃣ | Press before playing a quiet section. |
| 2️⃣ | Pay attention to the subtle shift in tone. |
| 3️⃣ | Release it to return to the normal sound. |
You can practice using the soft pedal on Skoove’s arrangement of the traditional melody ‘Greensleeves’.
Learn how to play ‘Greensleeves’ on piano. Start a 7 day trial today – no card details required!
3. Sostenuto pedal (middle pedal)
The sostenuto pedal is often the most subtle and least frequently used of the three pedals, however it offers some very unique expressive possibilities. The sostenuto pedal sustains only the specific piano notes you are holding at the moment you press it, this allows you to freely play other notes without sustaining them. This selective sustain feature lets you create layers within your music e.g. holding a bass note or chord while your hands move independently on top with the melody.
Not all pianos include a true sostenuto pedal, sometimes the middle pedal serves a different function, such as a practice pedal that muffles the overall volume for quiet playing.
Steps to play the sostenuto pedal
Follow these simple steps to get to grips with the sostenuto pedal.
| 1️⃣ | Play and hold the notes you want to sustain. |
| 2️⃣ | Press the pedal, then let go of those keys. |
| 3️⃣ | Those notes keep ringing while you play others above. |
How to read pedal notation?
Most sheet music uses simple visual cues under the staff to indicate pedal use. The abbreviation ‘Ped.’ and A solid, continuous line signals when to press and hold the pedal, while a break or gap shows when to lift it.
You might also see the abbreviation “Ped.” marking the pedal down point and an asterisk (*) indicating when to release.
These markings provide a clear starting point, especially for beginners. As you gain experience, it’s important to trust your ear and musical intuition to adjust pedaling for phrasing and expression beyond specific written instructions.
This notation with the upward pointing V in the line shows where to push down the sustain pedal and lift it each time the line is broken.
Top tips to improve your pedal technique
- Practice proper pedaling technique: A good starting point is to keep your heel firmly planted on the floor while applying gentle pressure with the ball of your foot. This allows for smooth and controlled pedal movements.
- Be gentle with the pedals: Avoid pressing or releasing the pedal abruptly, as sudden stomps can create unwanted noise or disrupt the flow of the music.
- Pay attention to pedal phrasing: It’s essential to coordinate your pedal work with your hand movements; well-timed pedaling ensures your transitions between chords and harmonies sound seamless and musical.
- Keep your pedaling in time: Make sure to keep pedaling in the right place and synchronize it with the pulse of the music you are playing. Developing this coordination early sets a strong foundation for more advanced expressive techniques as you progress.
- Don’t over-pedal: Too much pedaling can make your playing sound muddy, be sure not to over use your pedals. Pay attention to where pedaling is notated in sheet music.
- Play legato without the pedal: Do not rely too much on pedaling to smooth out your playing. Learn to play legato and then use the pedal to enhance your playing.
Start using piano pedals like a professional
Now you have discovered how piano pedals work and the massive impact they can have on your playing, as well as how to use them and read their notations in sheet music, it’s time to take things to the next level. Skoove is here to guide you through all your favorite songs and now you can add piano pedals to bring them to the next level. Be sure to follow all the tips in this article and use Skoove to guide you along the way. Keep up the good work and happy pedaling!
FAQ
The three piano pedals are the sustain pedal, soft pedal (una corda) and sostenuto pedal. The sustain pedal, usually on the right, allows notes to continue ringing after you release the keys. The soft pedal on the left makes the sound quieter and changes its tone, while the middle sostenuto pedal sustains selected notes without affecting notes played afterwards. These piano pedals each have a different function and give you greater control over expression, dynamics and sustain.
The sustain pedal is the most important of the three piano foot pedals. It allows notes and chords to ring after you lift your fingers from the keys. Learning proper piano sustain
The sustain pedal, which is usually the right pedal, is the piano pedal used most often. It is common in many styles of music and is particularly useful for connecting melodies and chords. Knowing when to press the piano pedal and when to release it is key to using the sustain pedal effectively.
Beginners don’t need to use all three piano pedals straight away. Start by learning how to use a piano pedal with simple chords and short passages. Focus on coordinating your feet with your hands. As your playing develops, you can explore the soft and sostenuto pedals and learn when to use pedal piano for different musical effects.
To learn how to use piano pedals, start with the sustain pedal. Play a chord, then press the pedal immediately afterwards and hold it while the chord rings. When you change chords, briefly release and repress the pedal do stop the sustained notes. This basic piano pedal technique helps prevent chords from blending together and is the foundation of proper piano pedal technique with the sustain pedal.
Author of this blog post:
Alvin Shipp
Published by the Skoove team
