| Children are often curious about the pedals on the | | | | strings continue to sound even as more keys are |
| piano when they first come to piano lessons. There | | | | played. |
| are four common questions inquiring, young musicians | | | | The above definitions, however, will need to be |
| want to know about the pedals. Here are the first | | | | simplified a bit for a 6 year old. Teachers usually start |
| three.o "When am I going to use the pedals?"o "How | | | | by showing young students examples of how using |
| come your piano has three pedals and mine only has | | | | the pedals changes the volume or sound as the keys |
| two?"o "Why does your piano have pedals? My | | | | are played. |
| keyboard doesn't have any?" | | | | If your child has a keyboard without any pedals you |
| Below are definitions of the three pedals on a | | | | can purchase a sustain pedal for it. This would be a |
| traditional, acoustical grand piano. From left to right they | | | | great idea as the sustain pedal is the first pedal |
| are the una corda pedal, the sostenuto pedal, and the | | | | students learn to use. If you have an acoustical piano |
| damper pedal. | | | | with only two pedals, don't worry about it. These are |
| 1. The una corda pedal - Una corda means "one string." | | | | the Una Corda Pedal and the Damper Pedal. The |
| It is generally called the "soft pedal" because it adjusts | | | | Sostenuto pedal is rarely used but is nevertheless nice |
| the piano action so the hammers only strike two of the | | | | to have when needed. However your child in piano |
| three strings and the volume is reduced. | | | | won't miss it. |
| 2. The sostenuto pedal - Sustains (or holds out) only | | | | Here is one more important question children almost |
| the strings of the keys that are already pushed down. | | | | always ask about the pedals at their first piano lesson, |
| 3. The damper pedal - Lifts the dampers so all of the | | | | "How are my feet going to reach them!? |