A modern digital piano typically has three pedals, which are located at the base of the instrument. These pedals are designed to mimic the effects of the trio of pedals found on a traditional acoustic piano.
Damper pedal: This rightmost pedal is the damper pedal, often known as the sustain pedal. Pressing down on this pedal lifts the dampers from the strings inside the piano, allowing them to vibrate freely. This creates a sustained sound that continues even after you release the keys. Of course, there are no dampers to lift in a digital piano, so the sustain is created virtually.
This is easily the most used out of the three pedals, and for stage pianos with only one pedal, it is typically the only one included.
Soft pedal: This is the leftmost pedal, and it is also known as the una corda pedal. When pressed, the soft pedal shifts the position of the hammers inside so they only strike one or two strings per key instead of the usual three.
This creates a softer and more muted sound, which is especially useful for playing quietly or creating a more delicate, nuanced sound. Some digital pianos also have a half-pedal function, which allows you to vary the degree of softness depending on how far down you press the pedal.
Sostenuto pedal: The sostenuto pedal sits in the middle of the other two and is probably the pedal that causes the most confusion. When pressed, this pedal sustains only the notes that are being held down at that exact moment. This allows you to play new unsustained notes over the original sustained ones. The sostenuto pedal is not used as frequently as the damper and soft pedals, but a few classical pieces take advantage of its unique sound.
Overall, the three pedals on a modern digital piano allow you to create a wide range of dynamic and expressive sounds, just like on a traditional acoustic piano and if you want to unlock the full potential of your instrument and create music that is both beautiful and nuanced, you’ll want to get to grips with what each of them do.