Otis Singleton
The sustain pedal, also known as the damper pedal, is the most frequently used pedal on a piano. When pressed, the sustain pedal lifts the dampers from the strings, allowing the piano notes to resonate freely. This creates a sustained sound, even after the keys are released, giving the music a rich and full-bodied quality. In the nineteenth century, the sustain pedal became an essential part of the piano’s sound, with legendary pianist Artur Rubinstein even calling it the “soul of the piano”.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | Sustain pedal is the most commonly used pedal in a modern piano |
| Function | Sustain pedal sustains all the damped strings on the piano by moving all the dampers away from the strings and allowing them to vibrate freely |
| Usage | Sustain pedal is used to control the duration, sustain and tonal quality of the notes played |
| Notation | A common symbol for the sustain pedal is a horizontal line below the grand staff, which lifts up and down with the pedal |
| Technique | Half-pedaling allows a fine variation of sound |
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What You'll Learn
The sustain pedal is also known as the damper pedal
The sustain pedal is an essential part of piano playing, allowing pianists to create a seamless, smooth, and rich sound. Also known as the damper pedal, loud pedal, or open pedal, it is the most commonly used pedal on a piano. The sustain pedal is usually positioned on the right side and operated with the right foot.
When the sustain pedal is pressed, it lifts the dampers from the strings, allowing the notes to resonate freely and creating a sustained sound. This means that all notes played will continue to sound until the vibration naturally fades or the pedal is released. This technique allows pianists to sustain notes that would otherwise be out of reach and smoothly connect chords and passages.
The sustain pedal is particularly important in romantic-era music, where its constant use is considered an essential element of the piano's sound. Composers and music editors often use pedal marks to notate when the sustain pedal should be used. For instance, a common symbol is a horizontal line below the grand staff, which lifts up and down with the pedal.
In addition to its primary function, the sustain pedal also causes all the strings to vibrate sympathetically with the notes being played, enriching the piano's tone. This effect is known as "half pedaling" and allows for fine variations in sound, with higher tones being more effectively dampened.
Overall, the sustain pedal, or damper pedal, is a crucial tool for pianists, enabling them to shape the sound and expression of the piano and create rich, resonant music.
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It's the most commonly used piano pedal
The sustain pedal, also known as the damper pedal, is the most commonly used piano pedal. It is usually positioned on the right side and operated with the right foot. When pressed, the sustain pedal lifts the dampers from the strings, allowing the piano notes to resonate freely. This creates a sustained sound, even after the keys are released, giving the music a rich and full-bodied quality.
The use of the sustain pedal became an essential part of the piano's sound during the nineteenth century, with the onset of the Romantic era in music. Before this period, the sustain pedal was considered a special effect, used only in particular circumstances. However, with the Romantics, the constant use of the pedal came to be regarded as integral to the piano's sound.
The sustain pedal allows pianists to sustain notes that would otherwise be out of reach and accomplish legato passages, smoothly connecting notes that would otherwise be impossible to finger. Pressing the sustain pedal also causes all the strings to vibrate sympathetically with the notes being played, enriching the piano's tone.
In addition to its musical benefits, the sustain pedal can be used strategically to create beautiful harmonies and intricate musical textures. However, it is important to use the pedal judiciously, as excessive or inappropriate usage can muddy the sound or blur the intended musical phrases.
While the sustain pedal is the most commonly used, it is worth noting that pianos typically have two or three pedals, each with its own function and contribution to the overall sound and expression of the piano.
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It allows notes to continue sounding after the keys are released
The sustain pedal, also known as the damper pedal, is the most frequently used pedal on a piano. It is usually found on the right side and is operated with the right foot. When pressed, the sustain pedal lifts the dampers from the strings, allowing the piano notes to resonate freely. This creates a sustained sound, even after the keys are released, giving the music a rich and full-bodied quality.
The sustain pedal is an essential part of the piano's sound. Pressing the sustain pedal also causes all the strings to vibrate in sympathy with whichever notes are being played, enriching the piano's tone. This technique is called half-pedalling and allows for fine variation in the sound. It is more effective for damping higher tones.
The sustain pedal is notated in sheet music with a horizontal line below the grand staff, which lifts up and down with the pedal. Alternatively, an older notation indicates where the sustain pedal should be depressed, and an asterisk shows where it should be lifted. Sometimes, there is a general direction at the start of a movement, instructing that the sustain pedal be applied continuously, marked with senza sordini ("without dampers").
The sustain pedal is a crucial tool for pianists, allowing them to manipulate the duration, sustain, and tonal quality of the notes they play. It is an essential element in creating seamless, smoothly connected passages of music.
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It creates a sustained, rich and full-bodied sound
The sustain pedal, also known as the damper pedal, is the most frequently used pedal on a piano. It is usually positioned on the right side and operated with the right foot. When pressed, the sustain pedal lifts the dampers from the strings, allowing the piano notes to resonate freely. This creates a sustained, rich, and full-bodied sound, even after the keys are released, giving the music a unique quality.
The sustain pedal is an essential part of the piano's sound and has been since the nineteenth century. It allows pianists to sustain notes that would otherwise be out of reach and to accomplish legato passages (smoothly connected notes) that would have no possible fingering otherwise. Pressing the sustain pedal also causes all the strings to vibrate sympathetically with whichever notes are being played, enriching the piano's tone.
The sustain pedal is particularly useful for creating seamless connections between notes or chords, without a break in sound. This technique is called half-pedalling and allows for fine variations in sound. It is more effective for damping higher tones.
The sustain pedal is not just a feature of pianos, but also of some metallophones, such as vibraphones, tubular bells, and high-end glockenspiels. These instruments have sustain pedals that allow the metal bars to ring, creating a similar sustained sound to that of a piano.
The use of the sustain pedal is often left to the musician's discretion, but composers and music editors may also use pedal marks to notate its use. This may be indicated by a horizontal line below the grand staff, which lifts up and down with the pedal, or an older notation of an asterisk showing where the pedal should be lifted.
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Half-pedalling allows a fine variation of the sound
The sustain pedal, also known as the damper pedal, is the most frequently used pedal on a piano. It is usually operated with the right foot and is typically the rightmost of two or three pedals. When pressed, the sustain pedal lifts the dampers from the strings, allowing the piano notes to resonate freely. This creates a sustained sound, even after the keys are released, giving the music a rich and full-bodied quality.
Half-pedalling, also known as partial pedalling, is an advanced technique where the sustain pedal is pressed down only partially, so that the dampers just barely touch the strings. This allows for fine variation in the sound, with the damping being more effective for higher tones. This technique is used in pieces such as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Most modern digital pianos support this effect, with some models featuring pedals with variable resistance, enabling half-pedalling.
The ability to subtly control the amount of damping through half-pedalling provides pianists with greater expressive possibilities and dynamic range. By varying the pressure on the sustain pedal, they can create nuanced and intricate musical textures, enhancing the emotional impact of their performances.
In addition to the sustain pedal, pianos typically have two other types of pedals: the soft pedal (una corda pedal) and the sostenuto pedal. The soft pedal alters the tonal quality of the notes, making the sound softer and more muted, while the sostenuto pedal sustains only the notes that are being held down, allowing for specific melodies or chords to be sustained while subsequent notes remain unaffected.
Understanding the functions of these pedals and incorporating them skillfully can elevate a pianist's playing, enabling them to shape the sound and expression of the piano in unique and creative ways.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric sustain pedal, also known as a damper pedal, sustains all the damped strings on the piano by moving all the dampers away from the strings, allowing them to vibrate freely. This creates a sustained sound, even after the keys are released, giving the music a rich and full-bodied quality.
The sustain pedal is typically operated with the right foot. When you press down on the pedal, it lifts the dampers from the strings, allowing the piano notes to resonate freely.
The use of the sustain pedal is often left to the musician's discretion, but composers and music editors also use pedal marks to notate it. A common symbol for this is a horizontal line below the grand staff, which lifts up and down with the pedal.
