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The Complete Handbook of Sustain Pedals
The practical reference for professionals, technicians, and serious musicians who need to understand, choose, maintain, and profit from sustain pedals
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding Sustain Pedals
A sustain pedal is a mechanical and electrical device that stops piano hammers from immediately returning to their rest position after a note is struck. When you press and hold a sustain pedal, the damper system—a collection of felt-covered wooden or plastic rods—lifts away from the strings, allowing them to vibrate freely long after your fingers have released the keys. The result is a continuous, blended sound rather than a series of discrete notes. Without understanding how this mechanism actually works, you cannot diagnose why a pedal fails, select one appropriate for a specific instrument, or maintain it properly.
The sustain pedal is also known as the right pedal, soft pedal (incorrectly—that is the left pedal), or the loud pedal, depending on context. In professional and technical settings, it is called the damper pedal, because its primary function is to manage the dampers. On acoustic pianos, it is a mechanical linkage. On digital keyboards, synthesizers, and stage instruments, it is typically a simple electrical switch. On modern stage pianos and professional keyboards, it may be a hybrid system combining mechanical expression with electronic control. Understanding which type you are working with is the first step toward competent use and maintenance.
How the Acoustic Piano Sustain Pedal Works
On an acoustic grand or upright piano, the sustain pedal is connected to a physical linkage—a series of wooden rods and metal springs—that lifts the entire damper assembly away from the strings when pressed. Each string (or pair