The Release

The Sustaining Pedal

Most pianists are less aware of the release than of the attack. This is due at least in part to a habit of relying on the sustaining pedal to produce the release for them.

When a chord is played at the piano and “caught” by the sustaining pedal, the fingers are free to release at any moment to reposition for the next chord. This release then has no effect on the tones being heard, since the sustaining pedal is preventing the dampers from stopping the vibration of the strings. A timely release of the sustaining pedal will produce a perfectly smooth, legato connection between one chord and the next, with no concern for the timing of the release by the fingers.