Piano pedals are essential for enhancing the instrument’s expressiveness, allowing players to modify the sound and sustain in diverse ways. While most modern pianos come with three pedals, each serves a unique purpose and requires specific techniques to master. In this article, we’ll explore the three standard pedals—the sustain pedal, the soft pedal, and the sostenuto pedal—as well as their functions and variations across different types of pianos.
1. Sustain Pedal (Right Pedal)
The sustain pedal, also called the damper pedal, is the most widely used pedal in both upright and grand pianos. When pressed, it lifts all dampers from the strings, allowing them to vibrate freely until they naturally fade or the pedal is released. This creates a more resonant and sustained sound, enriching the harmony and blending notes together.
- Technique and Use: The sustain pedal is especially effective for creating a legato effect in pieces that require smooth transitions. It’s commonly used in genres like classical, jazz, and popular music, enhancing melodies and harmonies by allowing multiple notes to ring simultaneously.
- Differences Between Upright and Grand Pianos: The sustain pedal works similarly in both types of pianos, but the effect is slightly different due to the variation in string and damper placements. In grand pianos, the sustain pedal often creates a richer resonance compared to upright pianos.
2. Soft Pedal (Left Pedal)
The soft pedal, or una corda pedal, alters the tone and volume of the piano, creating a softer sound. On grand pianos, pressing the soft pedal shifts the entire keyboard mechanism slightly to the right, so the hammers strike fewer strings (usually one instead of three), which produces a warmer, mellower tone.
- Technique and Use: The soft pedal is ideal for passages that require subtlety and emotional nuance. Pianists often use it to convey intimacy or reduce the intensity of loud sections. In classical compositions, the una corda pedal is frequently indicated to achieve dynamic contrast and character.
- Differences in Upright Pianos: Unlike grand pianos, upright pianos do not shift the keyboard. Instead, pressing the soft pedal moves the hammers closer to the strings, reducing their striking force. While it lowers the volume, the tonal quality doesn’t change as significantly as on a grand piano.
3. Sostenuto Pedal (Middle Piano Pedal)
The sostenuto pedal is less commonly understood but highly valuable in certain compositions. When pressed, it sustains only specific notes that were played before engaging the pedal, while other notes remain unaffected. This allows pianists to sustain selected notes or chords while playing other notes normally, adding layers of complexity to the sound.
- Technique and Use: The sostenuto pedal is mainly used in classical and jazz music. It’s valuable for holding bass notes or chords, freeing up the hands for more intricate passages in the higher register. This pedal is particularly useful in compositions by French impressionist composers, such as Debussy and Ravel, where nuanced pedal control is essential for the desired effect.
- Availability and Variation: The sostenuto pedal is more common in grand pianos but not always available on upright models. Some upright pianos feature a practice pedal instead, which muffles the sound for quieter practice by inserting a layer of felt between the hammers and strings.
Additional Piano Pedals Variations
In addition to these three primary pedals, some pianos feature additional or alternative pedals, especially in upright models:
- Practice Pedal (Quiet Pedal): Found mainly in upright pianos, this pedal allows players to practice at a much lower volume. Engaging the practice pedal lowers a felt strip between the hammers and strings, producing a muted tone. This is particularly useful for practicing in shared spaces or late at night without disturbing others.
- Half-Pedaling: While not a separate pedal, half-pedaling is a technique used with the sustain pedal to create partial damping, allowing players to control the sustain length and achieve a slightly softer effect. Half-pedaling is especially popular among experienced pianists for achieving a more nuanced sound in complex pieces.
Historical and Brand-Specific Piano Pedal Differences
Piano pedals have evolved significantly over time, and there are some variations depending on the brand and model:
- Historical Pianos: Early pianos sometimes had fewer pedals, such as a single sustain pedal, or additional specialty pedals. For example, some 19th-century pianos included pedals for producing echo effects or even drum sounds, which were popular during that era.
- Brand Variations: High-end brands like Steinway, Bösendorfer, and Yamaha sometimes offer customized pedal mechanisms to improve responsiveness and durability. Bösendorfer, for instance, has developed a fourth pedal on some models, which combines characteristics of the soft pedal and practice pedal for unique tonal effects.
How to Choose and Use Piano Pedals for Your Music
Choosing when and how to use the pedals depends largely on the style of music you’re playing and the sound you wish to achieve. Here are some general tips:
- Classical Music: Pedaling is often precisely marked in classical scores. Following these indications helps to preserve the composer’s intent. However, mastering half-pedaling and nuanced use of the sustain pedal can add depth and emotion to classical pieces.
- Jazz and Contemporary Music: Pedal use in jazz and contemporary genres tends to be more flexible, often relying on sustain for fluidity or to add a richer sound in chordal passages. Experimenting with different pedaling techniques can bring a unique touch to improvisations.
- Practice with Control: Beginners often overuse the sustain pedal, leading to a muddy sound. Practicing with restraint and learning to control each pedal separately will result in cleaner, more expressive playing.
Conclusion
Piano pedals play a significant role in expanding the piano’s expressive capabilities, enabling pianists to shape the sound in diverse ways. Each pedal—whether it’s the sustain, soft, or sostenuto—has its own function, technique, and application that contributes to the overall character of the music. By understanding and practicing the nuances of each pedal, pianists can unlock new dimensions of their instrument, adding color, depth, and texture to their performances. Whether you’re exploring classical masterpieces or jazz improvisation, mastering pedal techniques will elevate your playing to a new level.