I'm wondering about the role of the sustain pedal (damper pedal) on an acoustic piano. How do the lever and mechanism allow the hammers to stay in contact with the strings, and what sound effects does this produce (resonance, sound prolongation)? What parameters influence the duration of sustain depending on the type of piano? Your explanations and experiences would help me understand better.
The piano's sustain pedal: how does it affect the sound?
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I tried the sustain pedal on my friend's old upright and noticed the hammers stay lifted by a simple felt-rubber damper that the pedal lifts, letting the strings vibrate freely—the richer resonance lasts longer on a grand because its larger soundboard and heavier damper springs keep the strings ringing, while a smaller upright cuts the sustain off quicker.