BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
117 / 18210 · Module 4 — Triads, Inversions, and Voice Leading← prev⊞ allnext →

4.31Pedal

Inversions and voice leading become much more effective with careful sustain pedal.

Basic rule for chord changes:

  1. play chord
  2. depress pedal
  3. play next chord
  4. quickly release and re-depress pedal

Don't hold the pedal across unrelated harmony indefinitely.

You want connected sound without harmonic mud.

Because the notes move smoothly, you may need less pedal than you expect.