As a pianist, I appluad your answer. However, I thought you might like to know a little tidbit.
In the last decade or so, many piano manufactures have altered the use of the third pedal. On many piano’s it is now what we cal a practice pedal. How it works is that it is actaully pressed down and then shifted to one side, where it then is held in position. This permentently quiet’s the piano, just as the left pedal does, but you don’t have to sit there and hold it down. It stays locked in place until you unlock it.
THe reason for this is so that little Susie practicing for her piano lesson doesn’t have to disturb Daddy whose in the other room watching the big game.