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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
04:49:04

The pedals are one of the most powerful tools on the piano, but they’re often a mystery to beginners. This course teaches you everything you need to know, starting with the basics. You’ll learn what each of the three pedals does, how it changes the sound of your music, which kinds of music use it, and how to read pedal markings in sheet music.

Next, you’ll learn four pedaling techniques every pianist should know. Then you’ll put them into practice with 20 exercises that help you pedal smoothly over a variety of rhythms and grooves, so it becomes second nature instead of something you have to think about.

Finally, you’ll learn how to use the pedal in 22 different piano styles. Whether you love classical, pop, jazz or something in between, you’ll know exactly when and how to pedal for the sound you want. Sheet music is included, so you can follow along and take notes as you go.

Course Objectives
  • Understand the three piano pedals, their effects and the styles of music they're used in
  • Read common pedaling notation
  • Learn four essential pedaling techniques
  • Master pedaling over a variety of rhythms and grooves through 20 exercises
  • Apply the correct pedaling to 22 different piano styles
Learning Focus
  • Exercises
  • Groove
  • Reading
  • Rhythm

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Wow! So Much More to Pedaling than I ever Thought!
This is a long course and it covers just about every type of pedaling you can think of! I am working on some of the same styles at PWJ, so I will be able to apply these techniques to Ragtime, Stride, 1950's Rock and Roll, and more!
A Fun Challenge
This course was fun, challenging, and exciting. I learned new peddling techniques that I will use in future music pieces. I practiced a few pieces during the course. I can see first-hand the usefulness of the course. The instructor was excited and filled with passion. This is what made the course fun, the enthusiasm from the instructor. I enjoyed the course and look forward to learning more from this site. Excellent job!
Not just Eseentials!!!
You call this "Essentials", but is much more than that. I'm sure there is nothing like it anywhere else. I'm ok with pedalling, but the amount of effort you put into this, with dozens of examples is fantastic! A good one to come when in doubt on a certain style, or where to use the pedal!!!
Piano pedal essentials
Excellent course. I learned a lot. Even though I played the piano for many years it was important to learn different techniques for peddling.
Treasury of Pedaling Styles
I may have marked this course as "completed", but no doubt I'll be coming back to it again and again for a long time to come. There's a wealth of techniques here that will help you reach that next level of artistry you've been working towards. Jonny, you're the best!

Course Lessons

3
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 3
23:49

Note Values and Pedal Exercises 1-5

4
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 4
12:50

Pedal Exercises 6-10, Half, Quarter, & Eighth Notes

5
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 5
23:49

Pedal Exercises 11-15, Short-Long Effect

6
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 6
24:36

Pedal Exercises 16-20

7
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 7
23:46

How to Pedal on Slow Songs 1

8
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 8
34:26

How to Pedal on Slow Songs 1

9
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 9
29:09

How to Pedal on Medium or Fast Songs 1

10
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 10
27:28

How to Pedal on Medium or Fast Songs 1

11
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 11
31:51

How to Pedal on Medium or Fast Songs 1

12
Piano Pedal Essentials – Lesson 12
29:43

How to Pedal on Medium or Fast Songs 1

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Wow! So Much More to Pedaling than I ever Thought!
This is a long course and it covers just about every type of pedaling you can think of! I am working on some of the same styles at PWJ, so I will be able to apply these techniques to Ragtime, Stride, 1950's Rock and Roll, and more!
A Fun Challenge
This course was fun, challenging, and exciting. I learned new peddling techniques that I will use in future music pieces. I practiced a few pieces during the course. I can see first-hand the usefulness of the course. The instructor was excited and filled with passion. This is what made the course fun, the enthusiasm from the instructor. I enjoyed the course and look forward to learning more from this site. Excellent job!
Not just Eseentials!!!
You call this "Essentials", but is much more than that. I'm sure there is nothing like it anywhere else. I'm ok with pedalling, but the amount of effort you put into this, with dozens of examples is fantastic! A good one to come when in doubt on a certain style, or where to use the pedal!!!
Piano pedal essentials
Excellent course. I learned a lot. Even though I played the piano for many years it was important to learn different techniques for peddling.
Treasury of Pedaling Styles
I may have marked this course as "completed", but no doubt I'll be coming back to it again and again for a long time to come. There's a wealth of techniques here that will help you reach that next level of artistry you've been working towards. Jonny, you're the best!
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