The piano features two main components, the keys and pedals. While you need to press the keys to make a sound, you also need to push the pedals to create the right tone and texture of your music.
However, if you’re not well-versed in keys, you may be asking, “What do the pedals on a piano do?” In this article, we discover the different types of piano pedals and how to use them.
Our piano pedal suggestions
Here are our recommendations for some pedals to add to your digital piano setup.
| Yamaha FC35 Triple Piano Pedal | Has the ability to enable half-pedalling. | Check the current price |
| Casio SP-3 Sustain Pedal | Lightweight and slim - perfect for gigging players. | Check the current price |
| Viscount Pedalboard 18-Notes | Specifically used for tonewheel organs - includes expression pedals for added musical control. | Check the current price |
| Universal Piano Sustain Pedal by Gear4music | Features authentic weighted resistance. | Check the current price |
What are piano pedals?
Piano pedals are levers at the base of the piano that affect the instrument’s sound and expression. Typically, pianos have three pedals, though some older models may only have two (sustain and soft pedals).
Each pedal serves a unique purpose. The sustain pedal, on the right, allows notes to ring out longer. The soft pedal, on the left, reduces the volume and softens the tone. The middle pedal, usually the sostenuto, selectively sustains certain notes while others are unaffected.
These pedals allow you to enhance the emotional depth and dynamics of your music. It’s also worth noting that not all pedals have a sostenuto, some pianos instead have a practice pedal which essentially dampens the strings to a more extreme level than a soft pedal.
What do the pedals on a piano do?
The sustain/damper pedal
The pedal on the right is the sustain pedal, and it’s the most commonly used. It’s called the damper pedal because when you press it, the pedal lifts the dampers off the strings, allowing the note to ring out, essentially sustaining them.
You should use this pedal if you want a richer, more textured sound, especially if you’re playing in legato. To be honest, you’d be hard-pressed to find a piece of music that doesn’t require the sustain pedal, as it’s essential for connecting notes smoothly.
It’s also used for phrasing, and without it, notes can sound jumpy and separated.
Even older pianos will feature a sustain pedal – showing how important they’ve always been in piano music.
The sostenuto pedal
The sostenuto pedal is similar to a sustain pedal, however, this time, it’s the least commonly used pedal. Located in the middle, the sostenuto pedal offers unique control over your sound by sustaining only the notes being held down at that precise moment. Any notes played after the pedal is pressed are unaffected, allowing you to selectively sustain specific notes or chords.
This pedal is particularly useful in complex pieces of music where you want to hold certain notes while playing others normally to create intricate textures.
The soft pedal
The soft pedal, the una corda pedal, is the leftmost pedal on a piano. Unlike the sustain pedal, which affects the duration of notes, the soft pedal alters the tonal quality of the sound. When you press the soft pedal, it shifts the entire keyboard mechanism slightly to the right on a grand piano.
It works slightly differently on an upright piano. When you press the soft pedal, it inserts a piece of felt between the hammers and strings, reducing impact and producing a soft sound. This causes the hammers to strike fewer strings – typically two instead of three.
The result is a softer, more muted sound that’s great for delicate pieces of music. If you want to create a gentle atmosphere for a quieter passage of music, use this pedal.
Digital pedals
Digital pedals are essential accessories for keyboards and digital pianos. They’re basically designed to replicate everything we’ve just discussed, particularly the sustain pedal.
These pedals typically connect to the instrument via a jack and mimic the function of an acoustic piano’s sustain pedal by allowing notes to ring out even after the keys are released. Most upright digital pianos come with built-in pedals.
Although digital pedals primarily replicate the sustain function, some advanced models also simulate the effects of soft and sostenuto pedals, providing a more authentic playing experience.
How to use piano pedals
One of the key things to remember when using piano pedals is that you only need to apply very slight pressure for them to work.
For the sustain pedal, press the pedal just after you strike the keys, and lift it as you play your next phrase or chord. This will create a smooth, flowing sound without being too muddy. Be careful not to overuse it; you don’t want your music to sound messy and like all the notes are blurring into one.
The sostenuto pedal sustains only the notes being played when the pedal is pressed. You should press it after you’ve played the notes you want to sustain and lift and press again when you want a new set of notes held.
Lastly, the soft pedal, which softens the sound by shifting the hammers inside the piano and causing them to strike fewer strings, should be pressed whilst you’re playing the keys. Use this pedal during intimate, gentler pieces of music.
When to use piano pedals
Piano pedals can effectively enhance the emotional depth and expression in your music, but it’s important to know when to use them!
Different types of pieces often call for specific pedal use. For instance, Romantic-era compositions, like those by Chopin and Debussy, heavily rely on the sustain pedal to create smooth, connected phrases and rich resonances. Modern pop and ballads also frequently use this pedal for similar effects. The soft pedal, on the other hand, is ideal for quieter, more delicate passages, such as those found in intimate classical pieces.
Follow the pedal notation in sheet music as this will tell you when to press and release the pedals. The sustain pedal is often marked as “Ped.” with an asterisk indicating when to lift it. “Una corda” signals the use of the soft pedal.
FAQs
What are the three pedals on a piano?
The three pedals on a piano are:
- Sustain pedal (damper pedal): Located on the right, this is the most frequently used pedal. It lifts the dampers off the strings, allowing notes to resonate even after the keys are released.
- Soft pedal (una corda pedal): Located on the left, this pedal softens the sound by shifting the hammers so they strike fewer strings. It produces a quieter, more muted tone, which is useful for delicate passages.
- Sostenuto pedal: Found in the middle, the sostenuto pedal sustains only the notes that are held down when the pedal is pressed. Notes played afterwards are not affected. This allows for selective sustain, enabling more complex sound layering.
Do beginners use piano pedals?
Beginners use piano pedals; it’s a good technique to learn very early on. Piano pedals are often introduced once you have a basic understanding of hand coordination and note reading. The most important one to learn is the sustain pedal.
Should a piano have two or three pedals?
Most pianos have three pedals, but some models come with just two. The three-pedal setup is more common and provides greater versatility, especially for more advanced pieces. For beginners or casual players, two pedals – often the sustain and soft pedals – are sufficient. However, having three pedals can be beneficial as you progress to more complex compositions.
Final thoughts
Piano pedals are a great way to add texture and expression to your playing, and hopefully, our article has answered the question, “What do the pedals on a piano do?” in a clear, helpful way! The sustain pedal is the most common and will make the biggest difference to your music, making it sound fuller and more fluid, so it’s a great one to learn how to use first.
For more content on pianos, check out the following articles:
Semi-weighted Vs. Weighted Keys
Piano Notes – A Guide to Learning Piano and Reading Music
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