A few months back, I joined a forum where many were curious about a piano’s foot pedals. I realized that for beginners or those thinking about learning the piano, these queries can be quite confusing.
The piano has a long history dating back several centuries. It might seem ancient compared to the tuba. Bartolomeo Cristofori, in the 17th century, invented the first piano.
Key takeaways on Piano Foot Pedals
- Sustain Pedal: Lengthens the sound of notes, enabling a richer, more resonant quality.
- Una Corda Pedal: Also called the soft pedal, it modifies the volume and tone by shifting the hammers, producing a softer, muted sound.
- Sostenuto Pedal: Sustains only those notes that are pressed before activating the pedal, useful for creating specific effects in modern compositions.
- Difference Between Acoustic and Digital Pedals: Digital pedals strive to replicate the function and feel of acoustic pedals, though the actual mechanism differs.
- Proper Foot Technique: Good posture and correct foot positioning are essential for effective pedal use, with specific techniques like Legato, Preliminary, and Half Pedaling enhancing the playing experience.
The early pianos didn’t have foot pedals, using hand stops operated by hands. Around 1765, knee levers replaced hand stops. Between 1772 and 1775, the first piano with a damper pedal appeared. Since then, piano pedals have become an essential part of the instrument.
Understanding Pedals and The Different Types of Pedals
Modern pianos have three foot pedals, each with a distinct function. If you’re new to playing the piano, it’s important to understand these pedals. Here are their functions:
1) Right Sustain Pedal
As its name suggests, the sustain pedal prolongs the sound of a note even after the key is released. Inside the piano, a damper pad stops the note from ringing once you lift your finger. To keep a note resonating longer, just step on the sustain pedal to lift the dampers from the string.
Most pianists use the sustain pedal frequently. It’s essential for playing certain pieces well. Because of its importance, you’ll find the sustain pedal even on basic beginner keyboards.
If you’re still unsure how this pedal works, let’s look inside the piano to understand its mechanism. Inside, you’ll see a series of strings. Each string has a corresponding hammer that strikes it to produce sound. When you release the key, the hammer returns to its original position, stopping the note’s sound.
There’s a damper bar that stops each note from resonating after you lift your finger from the key. It deadens the string by sitting on it. When you press the sustain pedal, the damper bar lifts, letting the note resonate further and enriching the harmonics. This is known as sympathetic resonance. Many digital piano makers try to mimic this effect to give their instruments a more realistic feel.
2) Una Corda Pedal or Soft Pedal (Left)
To understand the soft pedal, let’s first look back at its history. Invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori, this pedal is typically the left one on modern pianos. It modifies volume and enhances timbre. Since its invention, it has become an essential part of most pianos. Now, let’s pry open the acoustic piano and examine the strings inside.
By the late 18th century, piano makers began using triple note strings, each tuned to a specific note. Playing one of these notes means the hammer hits three strings at once, producing a brighter, fuller sound. If you’re using a grand piano and press the soft pedal, it shifts the mechanism right, causing the hammer to strike only two strings.
On most modern pianos, the soft pedal makes the treble hammers hit only two strings. In the bass, the hammer usually strikes one or two strings per note. With the una corda, the hammer uses its rarely-used nose, creating a softer sound. This different angle results in a less bright and more muted tone.
The modern upright piano has strings at an angle to the hammers. This setup can make the hammer strike the wrong note with sideways action. Calling this pedal the Un Corda pedal is a misnomer. A better term is the half-blow pedal, as pressing it moves the pedal closer to the strings, resulting in the hammer having a shorter swing distance.
3) The Middle or Sostenuto Pedal
There’s a strong similarity between the Sostenuto Pedal and the sustain pedal. The main difference is that the Sostenuto pedal only sustains notes already playing when you press it. Notes played before pressing the pedal won’t be affected. Timing is crucial with the Sostenuto pedal.
Most musical compositions from before the 20th century don’t use the sostenuto pedal much. This is because the sostenuto pedal was only added recently.
Furthermore, the term “sostenuto” isn’t precise enough for this pedal. This word etymologically means sustained. A more accurate description might be tone-sustaining.
Differences Between Digital Piano Pedals and Acoustic Pedals
The digital piano pedals are crafted to replicate the effects of acoustic pedals, designed to sustain notes. As pianos evolved, their sizes decreased. With less space inside the cabinets, the hammers often strike two strings at once, changing the volume and tone of the notes.
Upright pianos have tighter inner dimensions. The una corda was created to bring the hammers closer to the strings. This reduced the volume but kept the tone consistent.
Engineers have worked hard to digitally recreate the acoustic pedals and their dynamism. You can use digital pedals to perform like you’re using acoustic ones. It may take practice to understand them, but once you do, you won’t forget it.
When using a digital piano, having the two essential pedals is crucial to get the feel of an acoustic piano. The third pedal is less important and should be optional. You’ll need the third pedal only if you aim to advance your piano skills further.
Useful Techniques On How To Use the Piano Pedals
Good posture is crucial for mastering pedal use. Keep your feet flat on the floor and align your big toes with the left and right pedals. To use a pedal, lift the front of your foot, move it forward, and place the ball of your foot on the pedal. Press down smoothly while keeping your heel grounded.
Use your right foot for the sustain pedal and your left foot for the sostenuto pedal. Practice each pedal while playing the piano to understand how they enhance your notes. For advanced techniques, check out the following tips:
1) Legato Pedaling
Press the pedal after playing a note, then release it. Press it again after playing the next note to create a smooth transition.
2) Preliminary Pedaling
Press the sustain pedal right before striking another note. This releases the damper from the string, creating a richer and deeper tone that lasts longer. Pianists rarely use this technique.
3) Half Pedaling
Half pedaling involves slightly pressing the sustain pedal. This allows the dampers to lightly touch the strings, creating a richer tone without muddying the sound. Modern pianists use this technique to make Mozart less bland and enhance the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.
3) Simultaneous Pedaling or rhythmic pedaling
Press and release the pedal while playing a chord or note. This rarely used technique rhythmically emphasizes and enhances the sound.