sustaining pedal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist term in music)Technical, formal musical instruction
Quick answer
What does “sustaining pedal” mean?
A foot-operated lever on a piano that keeps the dampers raised after keys are released, allowing notes to continue sounding.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foot-operated lever on a piano that keeps the dampers raised after keys are released, allowing notes to continue sounding.
In broader contexts, it can metaphorically refer to something that maintains or prolongs an effect or state, akin to its function in music.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Sustain pedal' is slightly more common in casual American usage, while 'sustaining pedal' remains the precise technical term in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Rare in general language; used almost exclusively within musical contexts. Equally low frequency in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “sustaining pedal” in a Sentence
[Subject] + [verb] + the sustaining pedal + [adverb/prepositional phrase] (e.g., The pianist used the sustaining pedal cautiously.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sustaining pedal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tutor asked her to pedal the sustain more cleanly during the legato passage.
American English
- You need to pedal smoothly here to connect the chords without blurring.
adjective
British English
- The sustaining-pedal mechanism on this model is particularly responsive.
American English
- Her sustaining pedal technique is masterful, creating a seamless harmonic wash.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in musicology, performance practice, and instrument pedagogy texts.
Everyday
Rare; used when discussing piano playing or lessons.
Technical
Standard term in piano manuals, sheet music instructions, and acoustic engineering of musical instruments.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sustaining pedal”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sustaining pedal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sustaining pedal”
- Confusing it with the 'sostenuto pedal' (middle pedal, which sustains only selected notes).
- Referring to it as the 'loud pedal', which is an oversimplification of its function.
- Using 'sustaining' as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'She was sustaining the pedal' vs. 'She was using the sustaining pedal').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonyms. 'Damper pedal' refers to its function of lifting the dampers off the strings, while 'sustaining pedal' describes the effect it produces.
The right foot is almost universally used for the sustaining pedal, allowing the left foot to operate the soft pedal if needed.
All modern standard acoustic pianos have at least a sustaining (damper) pedal. Some digital pianos and keyboards may simulate its function with a button or optional pedal attachment.
The sustaining pedal sustains all notes played while it is held down. The sostenuto pedal (found on some grand pianos) sustains only the notes that are being held down at the moment the pedal is pressed, allowing subsequent notes to be played without sustain.
A foot-operated lever on a piano that keeps the dampers raised after keys are released, allowing notes to continue sounding.
Sustaining pedal is usually technical, formal musical instruction in register.
Sustaining pedal: in British English it is pronounced /səˈsteɪ.nɪŋ ˌped.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈsteɪ.nɪŋ ˌped.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pedal to the metal (not related but a common pun/confusion for learners)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a note being SUSTAINED (held) because your foot is on the pedal. The pedal is FOR sustaining sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTINUITY IS A PEDAL / PROLONGING AN EFFECT IS PRESSING A LEVER
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the sustaining pedal on a piano?