What is a pedal point?
Q: What is a pedal point?
A: A pedal point, or pedal note, is a note that is sustained for several bars, usually in the bass, to help drive the music to a climax.
Q: Why are they called "pedal" notes?
A: They are called "pedal" notes because they are often heard in organ music where the player puts one of their feet on a pedal note and holds it there.
Q: On what notes are pedal points usually placed?
A: Pedal points are usually placed on either the tonic (main key note) (tonic pedal) or the dominant (5th note of the scale) (dominant pedal) tones.
Q: Can you provide an example of a bit of music that features a dominant pedal?
A: A good example of a dominant pedal can be seen in the Prelude in C major from Book I of the Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach.
Q: Can you provide an example of a bit of music that features a tonic pedal?
A: An example of a tonic pedal can be seen in the third movement of Brahms's German Requiem, where the double basses play continuous D's in the last section.
Q: What is a double pedal?
A: A double pedal is two pedal tones played at the same time.
Q: What is an inverted pedal?
A: An inverted pedal is a pedal note that is not in the bass but is often in the highest part.
