There are two or three pedals on the piano, each of which has its role and function. The pedal on the far right is called the sustain pedal.
The reason it’s called a sustain pedal is that it keeps the strings vibrating, keeps the sound going, and creates a sustained effect.
The tremolo pedal can be used to create a special musical effect and atmosphere.
Top 5 Best Sustain Pedal
M-Audio SP-2 | Universal Sustain Pedal with Piano Style Action
According to M-Audio, the SP-2 “is the perfect product for keyboard players who want the most realistic pedal action. The SP-2 model is used in the same manner as the sustain pedal on an acoustic piano.
This classic-style pedal works with any M-Audio keyboard. Designed to work and feel just like an acoustic piano’s sustain pedal, it has a specially designed rubber bottom that grips the floor and stays put while you play. The SP-2 is a high-quality switchable damper pedal.”
Alright, now that you know what a sustain pedal is, let’s explain to you why we recommend the one by M-Audio SP-2 while some digital pianos don’t come with their pedals, most models available on the market already come with pedals.
Now, you may ask why to get one separately when you’re already getting one. Unlike traditional acoustic pianos, few digital or electric pianos come with cheap-quality pedals. These can be a disappointment.
The SP-2 by M-Audio is very affordable. So spending an extra $10-$20 on this accessory can do wonders and improve your experience.
As is goes for the sound, the pedal itself does not make any sound. That’s a good thing, or else it’d be a distraction. With its heavyweight and rubber non-slide bottoms, it won’t slide or slip away on the floor. It stays put and won’t make any marks or scratches on your floor. Since they are original full-size pedals, you get the feel of a grand piano.
Just by looking at it, you can tell this thing is of high quality. The chrome pedal and rubber-coated shell made the SP-2 attractive and added to its durability, mainly thanks to the heavy-duty mechanism.
If you get one of these M-Audio pedals, be sure to flip the switch underneath the pedal. If you do so, the pedal will start working correctly, as it should. With the other setting, the function is reversed. It will sustain every note you play when the pedal isn’t pressed. When it is pressed, the sustaining stops.
The purpose of these settings is different electrical wiring purposes. If you find that the pedal is sustaining when it shouldn’t, flip the switch. Then the notes will sustain when the pedal is pressed down. It’s the opposite and makes the pedal work as it should.
The M-Audio SP-2 is also very compact. Whether you use it at home for practice or take it to a concert hall for a performance, it works great anywhere. Everything about it works, looks, and feels right, as it should. No wonder it’s a best seller.
Last but not least, this accessory for your digital piano is very affordable and is worth every penny. We recommend it for those who don’t have a pedal or are disappointed with the cheap one.
Click to see the price and discount on the M-Audio SP-2
Tips for using the tremolo pedal
When practicing, if you need to use the durative pedal, you should use a durative pedal correctly, pay attention to the practice of this part, and make the music more musical sense and artistic conception. Then how to use the tremolo pedal, how to carry on the pedal training?
Two common methods of tremolo pedal
The first is the direct pedal method, also known as the root of the heel chord method (the first single note or chord of the left hand when changing a chord is played down, the tremolo pedal has also been stepped down).
The second: the backpedal method, also known as the slitting pedal method (the first note or chord of the left hand to change the chord after the first note or chord, and then quickly put the pedal down).
6 tremolo pedals that require attention for beginners
For beginners, the straight pedal and the split pedal is the most basic two-pedal method.
You can’t just hand and foot down the straight pedal to practice the slitting pedal.
1. The use of pedals can not cause melody blur and harmony confusion.
You can practice without the pedals, listen to each note, and then add the pedals. It cannot be random without rules and regulations, according to pedal principles to determine where not to use the pedal, where to use the pedal, which type of pedal to use, a pedal for how long, pedal every change of location, and so on.
Some people, to be so-called “Clean,” go into the so-called “Cleaner the better” misunderstanding, the foot random, constantly broken steps, almost every beat, every note to change the pedal, the result of losing the harmony connection, lost the important basic “Bassline” in the music, lost the harmonic resonance of the foil, so that the melody intermittent, music fragmented. People who make this kind of mistake mainly forget the principle that “The pedal should be changed with the change of harmony.”
2. Don’t use pedals to hide flaws in your finger technique.
Can’t pedal first, the hands of the technical solution, for the back of the pedal to lay the foundation.
3. In using the full pedal (to the bottom, all put clean), beginners must position the obvious action.
The pedal must be put in the bottom, put the pedal (or change the pedal) must be put in the time.
The most common problem is that you only move the pedal symbolically when you change the syncopated pedal. The pedal is not raised completely, the sound is not changed at all (especially the bass is not altered), and then you step down again, causing the front and backpedals to mix, making a dirty sound.
4. Other problems that beginners are prone to are caused by the movement of the feet.
For example, the sole does not cling to the pedal so that there is space between the foot and the pedal, thereby making the noise of the foot-tapping the pedal;
Or when the pedal is raised, the foot is raised too high, and there is no control. There is the sound of the pedal hitting the wood above;
Either the foot’s heel leaves the ground, or the ball of the foot gradually shifts away from the pedal and falls to the ground.
“Some pianists, due to emotional excitement, pedal when the heel off the ground, the whole leg and the whole foot up and down, beginners do not imitate.”.
5. Do not use the pedal for a long time. The right foot is generally placed near the right pedal, easy to move the foot on the pedal.
To use the pedal in place, generally a little ahead of time to put the foot gently on the pedal, ready.
Only a short time without the pedal, do not take the foot off the pedal, causing the foot up and down. Only when you don’t use the pedal for a long time, please take off the pedal gently with your right foot and rest beside it.
6. You Can’t just step on one pedal from beginning to end for the excitement and momentum of the atmosphere.
A few final words of caution
A lyrical, soft, slow music, it is best to use the second way of the durative pedal.
B, the rhythm is stronger, the speed is quicker, and the first kind of tremolo pedal method is better.
C, pedal deep and shallow, pedal put fast and slow, will have a different effect, to practice more.
D, pedal, and put practice, you can use the “Slow step lift,” “Quick step fast lift,” “Light step fast lift,” and “Light step slow lift,” and other methods.
