"Una corda" is a term used in piano playing that means "one string" in Italian. It refers to a technique where the pianist shifts the action of the piano's hammers to strike only one of the three strings for each note, producing a softer and more muted sound. This effect is achieved by pressing the una corda pedal, which moves the hammers closer to the strings. The una corda pedal is typically located on the left side of the piano's pedal board. When engaged, it creates a unique tonal quality that composers like Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy often utilized in their works to evoke specific emotions or atmospheres.