Pedal Mastery: Techniques and Practice Tips
1. The varying depths of pressing and releasing the pedal, differences in timing, and speed demands high levels of sensitivity, flexibility, and control over the foot. Therefore, specific exercises focusing on pedal control can be beneficial, such as "quick press, quick release" (① sudden press followed by a rapid release; ② gently tapping), "quick press, slow release," "slow press, quick release," "slow press, slow release," and so forth.
2. When initially introduced to pedals, significant time should be dedicated to learning the direct and staccato pedals until one can apply them correctly and proficiently.
3. When practicing a new piece, it can be broken down into two steps:
① Practice without using the pedal at all. Overcome technical challenges to establish a solid foundation for subsequent pedal-enhanced practice.
② Practice with the pedal. Since the melody often resides in the right hand, begin by practicing with the left hand (accompaniment and harmonic parts) and foot (right pedal) separately until proficient, then add the right hand melody.
4. Avoid treating the pedal solely as a mechanical technique; instead, it's best to integrate its usage with specific musical compositions for learning.