Collection: Add A Third Pedal

“The Pedal is the Heart of the Piano” — Vladimir Horowitz

At Shackleford Pianos, we offer the option to add a sostenuto pedal or a practice pedal to your instrument, allowing you to expand your expressive capabilities and enjoy an even richer playing experience.

All pianos come standard with at least two pedals. On a grand piano, the left pedal—known as the soft pedal or una corda—shifts the entire piano action slightly (usually to the right, though some manufacturers move it to the left). This subtle movement causes the hammers to strike fewer strings—typically two out of three in the mid-range notes—resulting in a quieter sound with a distinct tonal change that can add delicate nuance to your playing.

Left Pedal (Soft or Una Corda Pedal):
The left pedal shifts the piano’s action slightly so that the hammers strike fewer strings—typically two instead of three—resulting in a softer volume and a more delicate tonal colour.

Right Pedal (Sustain or Forte Pedal):
The right pedal lifts all the dampers off the strings simultaneously, allowing them to vibrate freely. This not only sustains the notes you play but also enables the soundboard to resonate more fully, enriching the piano’s tonal colour and depth.

Middle Pedal (Sostenuto Pedal on Grand Pianos):
The sostenuto pedal sustains only those notes that are being held down at the moment the pedal is pressed. It holds the dampers up for these specific notes while other dampers continue to function normally. This allows certain notes to ring out independently, enabling greater expressive control.