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tonebase Piano Course

Pedaling: Across Levels and Musical Styles

Taught by renowned pianist

Dominic Cheli

The pedals have been called the "soul of the piano", and in this course Dominic Cheli teaches how to use all 3 pedals across every style and level. You will learn about each one individually before you begin using multiple pedals, even all 3 at once, for special effects.

  • checkmark icon
    Difficulty: 
    all-levels
  • checkmark icon
    Duration: 
    1
     hours
     hour
All courses on tonebase include subtitles in English and Spanish

Course Syllabus

How to Use the Right Pedal, and Pedaling Basics

In this lesson, Dominic teaches how and when to use the right sustain pedal, how the pedal can help smaller hands, and general advice for the movement of the foot.

How to Use the Left Pedal

In this lesson, Dominic Cheli teaches how to use the left pedal, why it is known as the color pedal, and the best styles of music to feature it in. In addition, he shows why the left pedal is important for creating magical sounds and a closeup look at what the hammers are actually doing to achieve these effects.

How to Use the Middle Pedal

An often forgotten pedal, Dominic Cheli teaches the unique qualities of the middle pedal, shows places that it can be used in the repertoire from every style, and even how to use all 3 pedals at the same time.

How to Flutter Pedal and Release the Pedal Properly

In this lesson, Dominic teaches the delicate art of flutter pedaling, and how it is used to aerate the sound. In addition, he shows how to focus on the "pedal release" of loud and soft passages to ensure the right effect is created into silence.

Advanced Uses of All 3 Pedals

In this lesson, Dominic teaches advanced uses of all 3 pedals, how to relax the hand with the pedal, honoring composer's pedal markings, and advice on pedaling in different acoustic environments.

Using the Pedals in Baroque Music

In this lesson, Dominic teaches how to pedal in Baroque music, how to create a "fp" effect as written by Beethoven, and why the pedals are the "soul of the piano".

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Dominic Cheli
meet YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Dominic Cheli

Dominic Cheli’s career includes debuts at Walt Disney Concert Hall and at Carnegie Hall. He has CDs out on the Naxos and Delos labels and is the Head of Piano at tonebase.

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Dominic Cheli
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