The sustain pedal, which is the most commonly used pedal, is located on the right side of the piano. It is made of brass or steel and is covered with felt or leather. When the sustain pedal is depressed, it raises all of the dampers off the strings, allowing them to vibrate freely and produce a sustained sound.
The sustain pedal is often used to add sustain to notes or chords that are played in the left hand, while the right hand plays the melody. It can also be used to create a more legato sound by connecting notes that would otherwise be played separately.
The soft pedal, which is located on the left side of the piano, is also made of brass or steel and is covered with felt or leather. When the soft pedal is depressed, it shifts the hammers closer to the strings, causing them to strike the strings with less force. This produces a softer sound, which can be useful for accompanying singers or playing in small spaces.
The sostenuto pedal, which is located between the sustain pedal and the soft pedal, is found on some pianos. It is also made of brass or steel and is covered with felt or leather. When the sostenuto pedal is depressed, it raises all of the dampers off the strings that are being held down by the keys, while allowing the dampers to remain on the strings that are not being held down. This allows the held notes to sustain, while the other strings can be played normally.
The sostenuto pedal is often used to create a more complex and interesting harmonic texture in a piece of music. It can also be used to highlight certain notes or phrases.