Pedal Keyboard
How do I find a good foot pedal for my keyboard?
I just enrolled in piano lessons, and my tutor says she would like for me to have a foot pedal so I can practice on my keyboard at home. I need one with what would be a damper pedal if I were playing the piano. The keyboard is a Casio.
Hey, K,
If there's a music store in your neighborhood, go there and pick one up. If you aren't local to a music store, CALL either samash.com at 1-800-472-6274 or musiciansfriend.com at 1-800-391-8762. (Or go online and do a search for Music Instrument Sales. A keyboard pedal is a pretty basic device, and there are tons of them out there.)
Whether you "go local" or "go online," speak to a sales rep, and let them know your keyboard manufacturer and model number. That will make sure that you get the right pedal for your keyboard. (If you get the WRONG pedal, you may have to RELEASE it for dampening, and HOLD it for normal levels, which is the OPPOSITE of what you want. [Of course, the wrong pedal may not work at all.])
Just a few things to be aware of:
First, (I don't know which model your Casio is, but) your keyboard MAY NOT have a PEDAL INPUT. If that's the case, then you may need to upgrade your synth.
Second, if you BUY a pedal which someone recommends to you and says SHOULD work with your synth, but it DOESN'T, check to see if there are any switches on the pedal. Try flipping the switch (it reverses the polarity, which may fix the "press the pedal for no sustain, release the pedal for sustain" problem I mentioned above.)
Third, I've used "cheapo" footswitches with my synths, and I've used "weighty," well built foot switches with my synths. The weighty ones (the "pro" ones, the ones which FEEL like they're well built) are WORTH the extra... THREE DOLLARS that they cost! 
(Ok, they might not cost $3 more, but they're worth it.
For example, MusiciansFriend.com lists a Yamaha FC5 switch (pedal) for $13.99. I would spend the extra $3 and get the M-Audio SP2 sustain pedal (for $16.99.)
If you're looking for a full- / half-damper pedal which can double as a sustain pedal, check out the Roland DP10 from MusiciansFriend for $27.50.
As I've said, I prefer (and recommend) the heavier pedals that LOOK like they belong at the bottom of a piano as opposed to the "pedals" which look more like stompboxes because the heavier metal pedals won't slip, slide, tip over, or move as much as the cheaper, lighter, plastic ones.
I hope this helps!
- Z
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