{"id":2112,"date":"2025-03-07T01:52:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T00:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edwinm29.sg-host.com\/?p=2112\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T07:14:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T06:14:25","slug":"guide-piano-pedals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/guide-piano-pedals\/","title":{"rendered":"Beginner\u2019s guide to piano pedals: Sustain, soft and sostenuto"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/guide-piano-pedals\/#What_do_the_pedals_on_a_piano_do\" >What do the pedals on a piano do?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/guide-piano-pedals\/#Types_of_pedals_on_piano\" >Types of pedals on piano<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/guide-piano-pedals\/#How_to_read_pedal_notation\" >How to read pedal notation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/guide-piano-pedals\/#Top_tips_to_improve_your_pedal_technique\" >Top tips to improve your pedal technique<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Learning to play the piano is an exciting journey and as you progress, introducing pedal technique becomes a crucial step in shaping your sound. 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. Skoove has created this beginners guide to help you get to grips with them. Let\u2019s dive into the world of piano pedals and how to use them.<\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;div class=&quot;componentContainer&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;row&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;h2Notable&quot;&gt;Start your musical journey&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fall in love with the music -&lt;\/strong&gt; Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enjoy interactive piano lessons -&lt;\/strong&gt; Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords &amp; more.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get real-time feedback -&lt;\/strong&gt; Skoove&#039;s feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;\/ul&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;1024&quot; height=&quot;846&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-large&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;skooveButton skooveButtonWithin&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; title=&quot;Book a trial lesson&quot; href=&quot;https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=btf&amp;utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&amp;t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&amp;st=No%20credit%20card%20required!&quot; rel=&quot;noopener&quot;&gt;Book a trial lesson&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;small&gt;No credit card details required&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:577,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:1,&quot;12&quot;:0}\"><div class=\"componentContainer\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"column\"><div class=\"h2Notable\">Start your musical journey<\/div><ul><li><span><strong>Fall in love with the music -<\/strong> Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Enjoy interactive piano lessons -<\/strong> Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords & more.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Get real-time feedback -<\/strong> Skoove's feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"column\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"846\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/div><\/div><small><\/small><a class=\"skooveButton skooveButtonWithin\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Book a trial lesson\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=btf&utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&st=No%20credit%20card%20required!\" rel=\"noopener\">Book a trial lesson<\/a><small>No credit card details required<\/small><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_the_pedals_on_a_piano_do\"><\/span>What do the pedals on a piano do?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You might be wondering, what are the pedals on a piano for? Piano pedals allow you to control your <a href=\"\/blog\/articulation-in-music\/\">articulation<\/a>, timbre and what happens to notes after you play them. You can control how long <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-remember-piano-notes\/\">piano notes<\/a> ring, how soft or loud they feel and how seamlessly musical ideas transition. In short: pedals help you <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-play-piano\/\">play piano<\/a> with more expression.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_pedals_on_piano\"><\/span>Types of pedals on piano<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Sustain pedal (right pedal)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The sustain pedal is the pedal most often used by beginners and professionals alike. Usually located on the right, it lets notes ring out after you\u2019ve lifted your fingers from the keys. This simple action gives music a warm, flowing quality, ideal for ballads or lyrical pieces.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29343 size-medium aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Frame-351-e1664975886957-300x237.png\" alt=\"sustain pedal\" width=\"300\" height=\"237\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A key <a href=\"\/blog\/piano-posture-and-technique\/\">piano technique<\/a> for clean pedaling is to press the sustain pedal immediately after you\u2019ve played a chord, rather than at the exact same moment. As you move to a new harmony or chord, briefly lift the pedal and press it down again in a smooth, swift motion. This quick release-and-repress action prevents overlapping chords from running into each other and helps keep your <a href=\"\/blog\/piano-chords\/\">piano chords<\/a> sounding clear and controlled.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Steps to play the sustain pedal<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Follow these simple steps to get to grips with the sustain pedal.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-116\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-116\">\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">1\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Play your chord.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">2\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Immediately press the pedal down.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">3\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Hold as the chord rings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">4\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Briefly lift and re-press as you change chords.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-116 from cache -->\n<p>With careful coordination, you\u2019ll notice your playing becomes more expressive and blends more. Have a go at putting this into practice with Beethoven&#8217;s F\u00fcr Elise.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe title=\"F&amp;uuml;r Elise &amp;amp; Tonic and dominant\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/754655191?h=e0c99c07fc&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479\" width=\"640\" height=\"296\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Learn how to play &#8216;F\u00fcr Elise&#8217; by Ludwig van Beethoven. Start a 7 day trial today \u2013 no card details required!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Iniciar prueba gratuita<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Soft pedal (Una Corda, left pedal)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The left pedal, known as the una corda, is powerful 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 <a href=\"\/blog\/tempo-markings\/\">changing your tempo<\/a> or touch.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29327 size-medium aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Frame-352-e1664976193658-300x239.png\" alt=\"left piano pedal\" width=\"300\" height=\"239\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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 mechanisms provide pianists with a valuable way to control dynamics and timbre.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Steps to play the s<\/strong><strong>oft pedal<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Follow these simple steps to get to grips with the soft pedal.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-117\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-117\">\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">1\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Press before playing a quiet section.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">2\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Pay attention to the subtle shift in tone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">3\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Release it to return to the normal sound.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-117 from cache -->\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can practice using the soft pedal on Skoove\u2019s arrangement of the traditional melody<\/span><a href=\"\/blog\/best-songs-piano\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Greensleeves\u2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe title=\"Greensleeves\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1034425750?h=090c623b4c&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Learn how to play &#8216;Greensleeves&#8217; on piano. Start a 7 day trial today \u2013 no card details required!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Iniciar prueba gratuita<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Sostenuto pedal (middle pedal)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>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 <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-remember-piano-notes\/\">the specific piano notes<\/a> 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 <a href=\"\/blog\/piano-hand-independence\/\">hands move independently<\/a> on top with the melody.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29335 size-medium aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Frame-353-e1665050361138-300x240.png\" alt=\"sostenuto pedal\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" \/><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Steps to play the sostenuto pedal<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Follow these simple steps to get to grips with the sostenuto pedal.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-119\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-119\">\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">1\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Play and hold the notes you want to sustain.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">2\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Press the pedal, then let go of those keys.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">3\ufe0f\u20e3<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Those notes keep ringing while you play others above.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-119 from cache -->\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_read_pedal_notation\"><\/span>How to read pedal notation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most sheet music uses simple visual cues under the staff to indicate pedal use. A solid, continuous line signals when to press and hold the pedal, while a break or gap shows when to lift it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78025\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-scaled-e1762863605108.jpg\" alt=\"read pedal notation\" width=\"421\" height=\"94\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-scaled-e1762863605108.jpg 1322w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-scaled-e1762863605108-300x67.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-scaled-e1762863605108-1024x228.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-scaled-e1762863605108-768x171.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-scaled-e1762863605108-640x142.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 421px) 100vw, 421px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You might also see the abbreviation \u201cPed.\u201d marking the pedal down point and an asterisk (*) indicating when to release.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78033 \" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-1-scaled-e1762863727788.jpg\" alt=\"read pedal notation\" width=\"235\" height=\"131\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-1-scaled-e1762863727788.jpg 977w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-1-scaled-e1762863727788-300x168.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-1-scaled-e1762863727788-768x429.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-1-scaled-e1762863727788-640x358.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>These markings provide a clear starting point, especially for beginners, but as you gain experience, it\u2019s important to trust your ear and musical intuition to adjust pedaling for phrasing and expression beyond the written instructions.<\/p>\n<p>This notation means push down the sustain pedal and lift it each time the line is broken. In notated music, it looks like this:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78041 \" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-2-scaled-e1762863830503.jpg\" alt=\"read pedal notation\" width=\"451\" height=\"98\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-2-scaled-e1762863830503.jpg 1122w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-2-scaled-e1762863830503-300x65.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-2-scaled-e1762863830503-1024x222.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-2-scaled-e1762863830503-768x166.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/piano-pedals-2-scaled-e1762863830503-640x139.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_tips_to_improve_your_pedal_technique\"><\/span>Top tips to improve your pedal technique<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Practice proper pedaling technique:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Be gentle with the pedals:<\/strong> Avoid pressing or releasing the pedal abruptly, as sudden stomps can create unwanted noise or disrupt the flow of the music.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pay attention to pedal phrasing:<\/strong> It\u2019s essential to coordinate your pedal work with your hand movements; well-timed pedaling ensures your transitions between chords and harmonies sound seamless and musical.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keep your pedaling in time:<\/strong> Developing this coordination early sets a strong foundation for more advanced expressive techniques as you progress.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t over-pedal:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Learn to play legato without the pedal:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Start using piano pedals like a professional<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Now you have discovered the piano pedals functions 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\u2019s time to take things to the next level. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\">Skoove<\/a> is here to guide you through all your favorite songs and now you can add the magic of piano pedals to bring your playing 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!<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 46.21% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/479012867?autoplay=false&amp;loop=1&amp;title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;muted=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Start free trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0<strong>Author of this blog post:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Alvin Shipp<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong style=\"font-size: 16px;\">\u00a0<\/strong><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-22738\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/PNG_1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"259\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text\">\n<div class=\"c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer\" data-qa=\"block-kit-renderer\">\n<div class=\"p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_block\" dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"p-rich_text_section\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Alvin Shipp is a Multi-Instrumentalist Composer, Performer, Producer, and Educator from Portland, Oregon currently based in Berlin, Germany. He\u2019s worked extensively in the USA and Germany, has released Over 15 Albums. He has been teaching upper-level students for over 15 years, and currently lives as a Freelance Composer, Mixing &amp; Mastering Engineer and Teacher.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"editorSection\">Edited and fact-checked by Matthew Dickman, composer, arranger, educator and multi-instrumentalist whose works have been performed by orchestras around the world.<br \/>\nPublished by the Skoove team<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learning to play the piano is an exciting journey and as you progress, introducing pedal technique becomes a crucial step in shaping your sound. 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. Skoove has created this beginners guide &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"\/blog\/guide-piano-pedals\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Beginner\u2019s guide to piano pedals: Sustain, soft and sostenuto<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":23019,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"Piano pedals explained: a beginner\u2019s guide","_seopress_titles_desc":"Learn what piano pedals do and how to use them! 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