Lesson Summary

All acoustic pianos come with pedals, including at least a sustain pedal. If your piano has multiple pedals (two or three), the sustain pedal is located to the right and is the most useful pedal, especially in piano accompaniment.

Sustain Pedal Function:

• When pressed, it sustains the notes you play, similar to holding the keys down.
• This helps in creating legato playing, where notes flow smoothly together, rather than staccato (short and detached).
• In piano accompaniment and many of Taylor Swift’s surprise songs, the sustain pedal is used extensively for a connected sound.

Using the Sustain Pedal Effectively:

• Simply pressing the pedal continuously while playing can make the sound muddy.
• The goal is to release and repress the pedal at strategic points, usually when changing chords, to clear the sustained sound and avoid muddiness.
• When changing chords:
  • Release the pedal just before playing the new chord.
  • Immediately press the pedal down again after playing the new chord to maintain legato.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Pressing the pedal down simultaneously with the keys. This forces you to release the pedal before playing the chord, breaking legato.
• Waiting too long to press the pedal down again after releasing, which can create a staccato effect by leaving notes unsupported.
• Lifting the hand before pressing the pedal again, instead of pressing the pedal first then lifting the hand.

Practice Tips:

• Try the pattern: release pedal, press new chord, then press pedal again without delay.
• With practice, you will master the sustain pedal control and be able to create beautiful connected sounds and arpeggios like those in Taylor Swift’s surprise songs.