Basic Pedaling (sustain/damper pedal)

(using the opening measures of Beethoven's "For Elise" as an example)

Basic Principles

Using the damper pedal (also called the sustain pedal) on a piano to sustain notes involves a couple of basic principles:

1. When first used for a group of notes, the pedal is depressed immediately after the first keys (or key) are played. The pedal is then held down to sustain all notes played after this. The pedal is released when the notes no longer need to be sustained
2. If there is a sequence of pedaling multiple groups of notes, where the pedal needs to be repeatedly depressed and released, the pedal is released immediately before the first key of the group is pressed, and then depressed immediately after this. It may be thought of as a release/play/depress sequence done quite rapidly in succession.

Symbols

There are a number of symbols used to direct a piano player when to depress, hold, and release the damper (sustain) pedal. Older music editions use a fancy "Ped" abbreviation to denote pressing and holding the pedal, with a snowflake-like character directing when the pedal is lifted.

More recent piano publications use a different set of symbols which are more precise, showing exactly when the pedal is pressed, held, and released. The following example is performed exactly the same as the previous one, but it more clearly indicates when the pedal is depressed, held, and released.

Example

Here's an excerpt from Beethoven's "For Elise", detailing the way the pedal is used.