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Everyone remarks upon the hands of the skilled pianist, but even the most dexterous keyboard artist couldn't pull off Schubert without using some fancy footwork.

Step 1: Learn names of pedals

Familiarize yourself with the names of the pedals. There's the damper pedal, the soft pedal, and the sostenuto.

Step 2: Find damper pedal

Find the damper pedal, which is located on the right. Played with the right foot, it offers a fuller, more fluid sound.

Step 3: Find soft pedal

Find the soft pedal next, located on the left and played with the left foot. The soft pedal produces a fantasy-like musical effect.

Step 4: Find sostenuto pedal

Now find the sostenuto pedal, which is in the middle and played with the left foot. The sustenuto sustains the sound long after fingers are taken off the keys.

Step 5: Apply pedal

As your fingers press the keys whose sound you want to enhance, apply pressure to the pedal of your choice with the tip of your toe.

Tip

Keep your heel on the ground—it should just be used as a pivot.

Step 6: Remove or hold key

Depending on the pedal you have chosen, you can either remove your finger from the key at this point, letting the pedal effect linger, or you can hold both the key and pedal down.

Step 7: Hold pedal down

Keep the pedal down for as long as you want its effect to last.

Step 8: Practice pedaling skills

Practice your new pedaling skills with a variety of songs—so you can tell your friends you've learned how to play the piano with your feet.

Did You Know?

Although a crude version of the piano—the clavichord—was around as early as 1400, the piano pedal wasn't introduced until 1784.

We can't all sound like Mozart, but if your comportment is correct, you can at least look like you know what you're doing.

Step 1: Sit in middle of bench

Sit in the middle of the bench, so you can easily lean in either direction to play high and low notes.

Step 2: Put arms straight out

Put your arms straight out in front of you, closing your hands into loose fists. Your elbows should be turned inward toward your torso.

Step 3: Put loose fists on keys

Put your loose fists on the keys, allowing your elbows to hang close to your body, but keeping your hands level with your forearm.

Tip

Elbows should be roughly four inches closer to the keyboard than your shoulders.

Step 4: Keep hands & fingers rounded

Keep hands and fingers rounded, with only your fingertips on the keys. Keys should be pressed with the weight of the hand alone.

Step 5: Place feet flat on floor

Place your feet flat on the floor and keep them flat, unless you're pressing a pedal.

Tip

Don't forget to sit up straight!

Step 6: Position chin & relax shoulders

Keep your chin parallel to the ground and your shoulders relaxed.

Step 7: Start practicing

Channel your favorite pianist—or maybe just get out the sheet music and start practicing.

Did You Know?

A complete set of piano strings is subject to 20,000 to 40,000 pounds of tension.

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