1. Sustain (or Damper) Pedal:
- Located on the right side of the pedal board, the sustain pedal is the larger of the two pedals.
- When depressed, the pedal lifts all the dampers (felt or foam) off the strings. This allows strings to vibrate freely even after the key is released.
- Pressing the sustain pedal creates a sustained, echoing effect as any note played will continue to resonate until the pedal is released.
2. Soft (or Una Corda) Pedal:
- Located on the left side of the pedal board, the soft pedal is typically the smaller pedal.
- When pressed, the soft pedal shifts the entire keyboard mechanism slightly to the right, so that the hammers strike fewer strings per key. This results in a softer sound.
- This pedal is useful when playing quieter or more delicate sections in a piece. It can also help balance the sound when there are multiple instruments or voices playing at once.
Using the pedals effectively can greatly enhance the musical expression and dynamics of a piano performance. They allow pianists to control the sustain and volume of the sound, creating various musical effects.