Why do the upper notes of my Kawai digital piano sustain without using the damper pedal?
This is normal — it accurately simulates acoustic pianos, where the upper strings are undamped and naturally sustain longer.
This is normal and expected behaviour, particularly on Kawai hybrid pianos. On an acoustic grand piano, the strings for the uppermost notes are not fitted with dampers — they sustain freely regardless of pedal use. Kawai digital and hybrid pianos model this behaviour accurately.
If the sustained upper notes seem unusually loud or out of character, check your piano's settings or contact Kawai support for confirmation.