Kawai FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Kawai instruments, product features, and other topics.
Frequently asked questions about Kawai instruments, product features, and other topics.
A
Kawai digital pianos are designed to offer the most realistic experience of a Concert Grand Piano possible. A Concert grand piano has 3 pedals to assist the pianist in their performance.
The first, and most widely used, is the Damper (aka Sustain) Pedal on the right. This pedal, when depressed, lifts the dampers from the piano’s strings, allowing them to vibrate freely. As the damper is raised, a slightly metallic sound can be heard as the felt brushes past the metal strings – this sound is even detailed in our SK-EX sample. If the pedal is pressed quickly and firmly, this sound is much louder and you will be able to hear the metallic hum of the strings that have been released. The pianist is then free to play any note on the piano with the Damper/Sustain Pedal depressed which will allow the note to ring on. As a note rings out from the vibrating string, other strings will start to vibrate in sympathy to the frequency of the ringing note, this adds colour and texture to the performance and is also included in our celebrated SK-EX digital piano sample. When the pianist releases the pedal, the dampers return to their position and those strings are no longer free to vibrate.
The middle pedal on many Upright Pianos is often a practice pedal which, in most cases, lowers a layer of felt in front of the stings to soften the hammer blow and allow for muted practice. On Concert Grand Pianos and Kawai Digital Pianos, the middle pedal is the Sostenuto Pedal which operates in a similar way to the Damper/Sustain Pedal. Unlike the Damper/Sustain Pedal that lifts ALL the dampers from the strings, the Sostenuto Pedal lifts only the dampers from the notes that are already being played (keys that are held down). The pianist can then release those keys whilst keeping the Sostenuto Pedal held, and hear those notes ring on whilst new notes that are played can be played staccato. This pedal is useful for more complex pieces where a clear harmony as well as sustained chords are required.
The Una Corda (aka Soft) Pedal, on the left is used in soft passages of music where pianissimo is required. When this pedal is pressed on a Grand Piano, the action shifts very slightly so the hammer for each note is only in line with one string (Una Corda) instead of the 2 or 3 strings found in middle and upper register notes. This effect is very subtle, but reduces the maximum noise available to each note, giving the pianist greater control of the instrument. As there are no strings in digital pianos, Kawai Digital Pianos replicate this subtle change within the sample when the Una Corda is depressed.
Good pedal technique is essential for an effective performance, but they can often be over-used. Ask your piano teacher about how to best make use of the pedals in your performances.