Most pianos today have two or three pedals. Some of the older uprights had four but we will only discuss those with two or three.
Uprights, Spinets, Consoles, Studios
This is the "Sustain-loud pedal". It does the same on all pianos, which is to raise all the dampers from the strings at the same time.
Middle Pedal: On some pianos it raises the bass dampers only from about E below Middle C on down. On others it is connected to the left pedal and acts as a soft pedal, but not usually as soft as
the left pedal. Some middle pedals are for appearance only and have no function of their own.
On the older uprights, it might be either of the above or might operate a rod above the hammers, which
lowers felt in front of the hammers. This was, at one time, a "practice pedal" which made the piano play very softly during practice. Instead of felt, it might have had metal discs attached to give a
"rinky-tink" effect. Few older pianos still have this attachment and the pedal is usually not operative.
Left Pedal: On uprights, this pedal pushes all the hammers
closer to the strings; thus the stroke is shortened giving a softer sound.
Grand Pianos
Right pedal: Raises all dampers from strings at the same time.
Middle Pedal: Sometimes call the "sostenuto" pedal. When you play one or more notes and then press this pedal, only those notes played will be sustained. On some grand pianos, the
middle pedal raises all the bass dampers only (as on the uprights). Some vertical pianos also have a "sontenuto" pedal.
Left Pedal: This pedal shifts the entire action to
the right thus making the hammers hit two strings instead of three or one string instead of two, as the case may be. On some older grands, the hammers are pushed upward and closer tot he strings thus shortening
the stroke a on uprights but this is not often the case.
How to find out what your pedals do:
The best way to find out exactly how the pedals work on your particular
piano is to raise the top of an upright and watch the dampers and hammers as you press the various pedals. All dampers should leave the strings when the right pedal is pressed.
The middle pedal will either
raise the bass dampers, push the hammers forward, or operate the rod over the hammers for a "Practice Pedal", although there may not be a rod present on some older pianos. Some pianos made today are
equipped with this rod for softer playing, or "rinky-tink" sound. An attachment can also be purchased to fit on most pianos.
On a grand, all you have to do is operate the pedals and watch
the dampers that are visible from the top of the piano. Remember, if your piano has a true "sostenuto" pedal you must play several notes first then press the middle pedal while still holding those
notes down. Only those dampers over the strings played should remain in the up position after you raise your hand. If all the bass dampers raise when you press the pedal, it cannot be used as stated
above. It will sustain those bass notes played, but all the dampers will be raised.
There are some pianos made with only two pedals, and these are sustain (on the right) and soft
(on the left) pedals. You must check your own particular piano to determine what the exact pedal functions are.
