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pedal point

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  • Mustafa Gorczany
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Meaning of Pedal Point in Music

In music, a **pedal point** (also known as a pedal note, organ point, pedal tone, or pedal) refers to a sustained tone, typically in the bass, while other parts of the music progress and change harmonies. The pedal point is often considered a "non-chord tone" and is categorized alongside suspensions, retardations, and passing tones. However, it is unique among non-chord tones because it begins on a consonance, sustains through another chord as a dissonance, and then resolves back to a consonance. The term "pedal point" comes from the organ, where sustained notes can be played using the pedal keyboard operated by the feet of the organist.

Types of Pedal PointsThere are different types of pedal points in music.

1. **Bass Pedal Point**: This is the most common type of pedal point, where a sustained note is played in the bass voice. The bass pedal point obscures the inversion of the chord, so it is not necessary to specify the chord's inversion when a pedal point is in the bass.

2. **Inverted Pedal Point**: In this type, a note is sustained in the top part of the music rather than the bass. This creates a dissonant feel as the chords above it change.

3. **Inner Pedal Point**: This type occurs when a note is sustained in one of the inner parts of the music.

4. **Double Pedal Point**: A double pedal point involves two sustained notes, often a fifth apart, acting as pedal points.

Function of Pedal PointsPedal points serve various functions in music. They can create tension and dissonance when sustained notes clash with changing harmonies. This dissonance can be resolved when the pedal point resolves back to a consonance. Pedal points can also provide stability and grounding to the music, acting as a foundation for the changing harmonies above. They add depth and richness to the overall sound and can create a sense of continuity and unity in a composition.

Examples of Pedal PointsTo better understand pedal points, it is helpful to see and hear examples. Here is a simple example:

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ConclusionIn summary, a pedal point in music refers to a sustained tone, typically in the bass, while other parts progress and change harmonies. It can create tension, dissonance, stability, and grounding in a composition. Pedal points come in different types, including bass pedal points, inverted pedal points, inner pedal points, and double pedal points. They add depth and richness to the overall sound and contribute to the musical expression and structure

Term used for a drone (a low, sustained tone) that remains steady in the bass of a composition while other voices move about above it. An organ point is also called a pedal tone, pedal note  a pedal, or a drone.

In addition, you can familiarize yourself with the terms:

Popular questions related to pedal point

The term pedal point comes from the organ, where the bass is typically played by foot pedals, which gives it the ability to sustain bass notes for long periods of time. Pedal points are a great way to create tension in a song. As the chords move across the pedal, our need for resolution grows.

How do you indicate a pedal point?

  1. One note in the bass tied over for a few measures.
  2. Repeated notes in the bass that are all the same.
  3. If the sustained note sounds higher than the rest of the music, it is probably an inverted pedal point.

Types of Pedal Points They are the double pedal, inverted pedal, and internal pedal notes. The double pedal point occurs when two pedal points are played at the same time. A typical double pedal point occurrence is a perfect fifth being played in the bass voice.

So this video is just covering. The idea of pedal point harmony relatively quickly so pedal point harmony occurs when the rhythm section. Does not play a strict written out chord progression.

: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism.

noun. a foot-operated lever used to control certain mechanisms, as automobiles, or to play or modify the sounds of certain musical instruments, as pianos, organs, or harps. a leverlike part worked by the foot to supply power in various mechanisms, as the bicycle.

Pedal markings tell a pianist when to press or release the sustain pedal - hence making notes continue to sound even after their piano keys are released.

On written music, pedal markings show where you place your foot down, and when to raise it again. Each pedal is marked slightly differently, but the principle is the same: Sustain (damper) pedal: Down = “Ped.” Up = “✱” Sostenuto pedal: Down = “Sost.

Modern pianos usually have three pedals, from left to right, the soft pedal (or una corda), the sostenuto pedal, and the sustaining pedal (or damper pedal).

The pedals. There are 3 pedals on the floor of the driver's side of your car, which you'll use to control the power and speed of the car: the accelerator, the foot brake and the clutch. Your car won't go anywhere without them, so get nice and friendly with your pedals.

The most common pedals used are compressor, chorus and reverb variants - however many players augment their tone using delay and overdrive pedals too. We've outlined why each effect is important for jazz guitar below.....

To put this into piano-specific terms, an example of a pedal tone would be if you played and held a 'G' with your left hand in the bass register of the piano while playing a variety of chords in your right hand.

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