Soft Pedal Voicing!

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Soft pedal voicing is one of the most practical and underused tools in piano servicing and it’s a core skill taught here at The Artisan School.

For anyone looking to become a piano technician, this technique is an essential step in developing control over tone and touch. It’s also a foundational part of comprehensive piano technician training, giving students a safe and effective entry point into the world of voicing.

At The Artisan School, we emphasize real-world, hands-on techniques like this—because true pianocraft goes beyond tuning. It’s about shaping the sound of the instrument and delivering a better musical experience for the player.

When done correctly, soft pedal voicing:

• Creates a clear difference between soft pedal and normal playing
• Produces a sweeter, more controlled tone
• Reduces harshness without sacrificing power
• Gives the player greater expressive range

Most importantly, it provides a reliable, confidence-building starting point for technicians who want to move beyond basic tuning and begin refining tone at a professional level.

What the Soft Pedal Actually Does

On a grand piano, the soft pedal (una corda) shifts the action sideways so:

• The hammer hits fewer strings
  The hammer strikes a different part of the felt
  That means we can target that alternate strike zone and shape the tone only when the pedal is engaged.

Tools You’ll Need

• Voicing block (or a stable substitute)
• Single needle voicing tool
  Triple (or multi) needle tool
• Carbon paper (critical tool!)
  💡 Pro Tip: Carbon paper is the “secret weapon” that removes guesswork entirely.

Step 1: Create Your Roadmap (Carbon Paper Method)

This step eliminates guessing and gives you precision.

Process:

• Place carbon paper over the hammers
• Ensure cheek blocks are in position
  Press keys firmly so hammers strike the strings
• Remove paper
• Play again so strings transfer markings onto the hammers
  You now have exact string contact points clearly marked

Why This Matters

Without this step, you’re guessing where to needle.
With it, you have a clear visual map—which builds confidence and accuracy.

Step 2: Where to Needle

DO NOT needle directly on the string grooves (crown).

Instead:

• Needle between the string marks
• This ensures when the action shifts, the strings hit your softened area
  This is what creates the soft pedal effect.

Step 3: The Needling Process

Start Simple:

• Use a single needle
• Apply 3–4 light stitches per hammer
  Test frequently
  If Needed:
• Move to a triple needle
• Increase depth gradually
  

Always build in layers—don’t overdo it upfront.

What You’re Listening For

• Reduced brightness/harshness
• More “round” or “sweet” tone
• Clear difference when soft pedal is engaged
  
  

Where to Start on the Piano

Start in the upper mid-range / treble (around C5 area)

Why?

• This is where brightness issues are most obvious
• It gives fast feedback on your changes
  
  

Special Notes for the Bass Section

• Use restraint in the bass:
• Often only 1 light stitch
• Bass typically needs power, not softening
• The goal is balance, not uniform softness.

Critical “Do Not” Rule

Avoid aggressive needling at the hammer crown (strike point).

Why?

• You can permanently damage tone
• You lose power and clarity
• It’s difficult (or impossible) to reverse
  
  

Where This Fits in the Workflow

• Soft pedal voicing should happen after:
• Regulation
  Hammer shaping/surfacing
• String leveling and mating and Burning and Traveling Hammers
• Final tuning
• This is a refinement step, not a starting point.

How It Fits Into Full Voicing Strategy

• Soft pedal voicing is often the first step in needling, followed by:
• Soft pedal voicing
• Angle (angel) shot voicing
  Surface “sugar coating”
• Deeper needling (if necessary)

  
  

Real-World Insight

• Most callbacks are not tuning issues, they’re voicing issues.
• This technique gives you a powerful tool to:
• Solve tone complaints
• Add value to your service
  Build confidence as a technician

Key Takeaways

• Use carbon paper to eliminate guesswork
  Needle between string grooves, not on them
• Start light and build gradually
• Focus on tone shaping, not just softening
• Always test and adjust based on what you hear
  

Action Step

Try this on your next piano:

• Map the hammers using carbon paper
  Apply soft pedal voicing to 5–10 notes
• Compare before and after
  Train your ear to recognize the change.
  

Ready to learn more!  Lets learn how to regulate the Una Corda Pedal next!

If you’re ready to go beyond the basics and truly become a piano technician,  our online courses, in person training, and mentoring is designed to give you real-world skills to get you out there tuning pianos!  From tuning and repairs to regulation and advanced voicing,  you will learn what you need to confidently service pianos in the field.