Jazz Piano Pedaling Techniques

Welcome to this in-depth lesson on jazz piano pedaling techniques. This session explores the role of the sustain pedal in different styles, including blues, jazz ballads, and faster swing tunes. We will focus on how to achieve clean and expressive playing while using the pedal effectively.

The Role of the Pedal in Blues

One of the key questions that inspired this lesson was how to use the pedal when playing slow blues. The blues often incorporates dissonant tones, such as the combination of a major triad and a minor third. If sustained improperly, these notes can create unwanted clashes.

To keep the blues sounding clear:

• Avoid holding the pedal down through chromatic movements.
• Lift the pedal whenever two notes close in pitch are played together.
• Keep the left-hand spread voicing depressed to provide a solid harmonic foundation.

For example, in a slow blues in F, maintaining an F7 shell voicing in the left hand (F-C-Eb) while lifting the pedal for right-hand embellishments keeps the sound crisp.

Pedaling in Jazz Standards

Jazz ballads, such as Body and Soul or Misty, require a more nuanced approach to pedaling. When playing these tunes:

• The pedal can be used to sustain lush chord voicings while the right hand moves freely.
• Inner voice movements within a chord may require brief pedal lifts to prevent muddiness.
• The melody should remain distinct, so avoid excessive overlap of sustained notes.

For instance, in Body and Soul, maintaining a left-hand 10th interval while lifting the pedal on chromatic right-hand movements creates a balanced and expressive sound.

Pedaling for Faster Swing & Stride Piano

When playing medium or fast swing tunes, such as There Will Never Be Another You, the pedal is used sparingly:

• Many players avoid the pedal entirely in swing and bebop styles, relying instead on finger legato.
• Brief “fluffing” of the pedal—quickly depressing and releasing—can be used for certain voicings.
• In stride piano, where the left hand alternates between bass notes and chords, the pedal is generally lifted with each beat to prevent blurring.

A great example of controlled pedaling is Erroll Garner’s style, where he sustains rich harmonies while lifting the pedal for chromatic runs in the melody.

Using the Pedal for Tremolos & Arpeggios

Tremolos and arpeggios can be enhanced by the pedal:

• When playing tremolos in jazz ballads, sustaining the pedal can add warmth and resonance.
• Arpeggios can be played with the pedal held down for a legato effect or lifted for a more defined attack.
• When using diminished 10th intervals in the left hand (such as in Misty), the pedal helps maintain a full and resonant sound.

Practice Tips for Jazz Pedaling

1. Lift the pedal for chromatic notes – Any time you play notes that are a half-step apart, raise the pedal slightly to prevent excessive dissonance.
2. Sustain left-hand foundations – If you are holding down a shell voicing or spread voicing in the left hand, you can release the pedal without losing the chord’s presence.
3. Match pedal changes with chord changes – Always lift the pedal when transitioning between chords to avoid a muddy sound.
4. Use “fluffing” for faster jazz – In medium-to-fast swing tempos, lightly pressing and releasing the pedal can enhance the harmonic flow without causing blurring.
5. Experiment with sustain on arpeggios and tremolos – Try holding the pedal for sweeping arpeggios, but release it when the melody introduces rapid chromaticism.

By developing awareness of pedaling techniques, you can achieve a cleaner, more expressive jazz piano sound. Keep experimenting and listening to great jazz pianists to refine your approach. Happy practicing!