Back to alphabetical overview – click here
The sustain pedal (also called the damper pedal) is the right pedal on most pianos. It lifts all the dampers from the strings, allowing notes to continue ringing after the keys have been released.
What is the sustain pedal?
When the sustain pedal is pressed, the piano’s dampers are lifted away from the strings, allowing them to vibrate freely. In addition to sustaining the notes that are played, the undamped strings also resonate sympathetically, producing a fuller and richer sound.
The sustain pedal is the most frequently used pedal on both acoustic and digital pianos and is essential in many styles of piano playing.
How is the sustain pedal used in piano playing?
Piano players use the sustain pedal to connect notes smoothly, enrich chords and create a more expressive sound. Proper pedal technique requires changing the pedal as the harmony changes to prevent notes from blending together unintentionally.
Learning correct pedal timing is an essential part of piano technique and helps produce clean, musical performances in classical, pop, jazz and many other styles.