How to use the sustain pedal

[deadstar]

Hello,

Im playing for a few weeks now, but I have a lot of problems with using the sustain pedal. Can somebody explain to me, or show me a link to a online lesson of using the pedal and when to press and release it (allthough this is different in every song). Because right now I hear all the notes that I'ver played in my songs.

Thank you so much

[keyb0ardfweak]

First of all, if you want to learn how to use the pedal correctly, if I were you, I would get a piano teacher.

Second, if not..then you can try the intuitive way..which can be beneficious or not.

The sustain pedal is mostly used in the romantic era and also on the classical era, but not too much. This was because in the times of Mozart, Beethoven, etc. they had another type of piano.

It depends on what you would like to play.

In general, the sustain pedal is pressed and realeased each time the harmony changes.

OR, each time the bass note changes, normally, if the melody is in the bass, I prefer to use half pedal, which is pressing the pedal not 100% down..



Anyway, I would recommend you to use the pedal each bar or everytime the chord or harmony changes..


I don't know if you understand me,, 


Btw, what are you playing right now?Classical?Popular?etcetcetc

[perfect_pitch]

Here is what I teach my students: (in the easiest way possible)

When playing the first pedal marking - press down the pedal after you play the note.
When re-taking the pedal - lift it up and press down as you play the note.

[birba]

Hmmm.  I'm not so sure about that.  I don't think you should ever play a note and press down the pedal at the same time.  The pedal comes a fraction of an instant AFTER you've played the note.  As you play the new note, pedal up, and immediately after, down.  At least this is what I analyzed after I went to the piano to see if what you said is correct.  Of course, it all depends on what you're playing. But to achieve a legato WITH pedal, I find it's a quick up-down after you've played the new note.

[perfect_pitch]

This might sound dumb - but isn't that what I just said???

Hmmm.  I'm not so sure about that.  I don't think you should ever play a note and press down the pedal at the same time.  The pedal comes a fraction of an instant AFTER you've played the note.  

When playing the first pedal marking - press down the pedal after you play the note.

As you play the new note, pedal up, and immediately after, down.  

When re-taking the pedal - lift it up and press down as you play the note.

 

[birba]

This might sound dumb - but isn't that what I just said???



 

But you said "when retaking the pedal - lift it up and press it down AS you play the note."
That's what I don't understand.

[perfect_pitch]

Really??? What's so hard to understand? You do this to ensure that there isn't a gap in sound between pedalling.

The easiest way to show you is this - have a look at my playing of the Chopin Prelude No. 20. Keep an eye on my feet as I play each chord.

[birba]

Perfect!  Just as I said.  Not AS you play the new chord, but AFTER you play the new chord.  I think this misunderstanding came about because in your first post you  said to lift the pedal and press it down AS you play the new note.  I see it in two different moments.  As you play the new chord, you lift up the pedal, AFTER you've played it , you press it down.

[perfect_pitch]

Ahhh - no wonder... I think of the re-take as a single movement - sort of like a spasm.

What I meant was... as you play the new note - lift up the pedal, then press down quickly.

I guess it was bad wording on my part. Whoooops   

[birba]

No problem!  I can tell by the way you pedal it's a natural instinct.  It's just hard sometimes to dissect what you do naturally and explain it in so many words.

[perfect_pitch]

Thanks Birba... I get the reaction a lot... although it's usually about my perfect pitch.

(I got no idea how to teach that)...   

[deadstar]

Anyway, I would recommend you to use the pedal each bar or everytime the chord or harmony changes..

Btw, what are you playing right now?Classical?Popular?etcetcetc

Thank you for all the answers. I don't have the budget for a teacher now. I first want to learn to read notes and find out the style I want to play. Then I will choose a teacher so he can help me, not with the basics (I used to play keyboard 15 years ago when I was 10), but with techniques.

I understand what you mean. Right now I'm practicing Bach's Sinfonia 2 (off course without the pedal) and Yiruma's River Flows In You in which I'm trying to use the pedal to give the song more depth.

[deadstar]

Really??? What's so hard to understand? You do this to ensure that there isn't a gap in sound between pedalling.

The easiest way to show you is this - have a look at my playing of the Chopin Prelude No. 20. Keep an eye on my feet as I play each chord.

Thank you this is so usefull.