Which pedal on a piano is referred to as the damper pedal?

The damper pedal on a piano is commonly identified as the right pedal. This pedal serves a crucial role in piano performance by lifting the dampers off the strings, allowing the notes played to sustain and resonate. When the pedal is pressed, it enables the strings to vibrate freely, creating a fuller sound and allowing for musical phrasing that would be difficult to achieve with the unaided instrument.

The left pedal, often referred to as the "una corda" pedal, alters the sound by shifting the piano's action, resulting in a softer tone rather than sustaining notes. The middle pedal serves different functions depending on the piano model, sometimes related to sustaining only certain notes or having a similar effect as the left pedal. The silent pedal, a term that is less commonly used in standard terminology for piano pedals, refers to features found on some modern digital pianos or hybrid models that allow for muted play.

Understanding the specific functions of each pedal is essential for mastering piano technique and expression, particularly in interpreting various compositions.