How Does a Pedal Point Work? - Music Theory

A pedal point or pedal note is a musical device that is used to build harmonic tension within a piece of music. A pedal point is usually the dominant note (the 5th degree of the scale), either sustained for a period of time or repeated over a period of time. The length of a pedal point is not specified - some are fairly short, while others are quite lengthy. By sustaining or repeating the dominant note while other notes and chords go on over it, tension builds and builds until a fantastic moment of release is reached when the dominant pedal point resolves to a tonic (first degree of the scale). Pedal points are normally in the bass but it’s possible to have an inverted pedal point or an inner pedal point higher in the texture. Tonic notes are also sometimes used as pedal points and, more rarely, other degrees of the scale. It’s also possible to have a double pedal point. In this music theory lesson the whole topic is explained and illustrated. Of interest to performers wanting to know how to draw out pedal points in interpretation and to composers and arrangers wanting to write them. Also useful for those needing to spot pedal points in musical analysis. Watch this music theory lesson to find out all about pedal points.

🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to pedal points
0:33 - What is a pedal point?
1:58 - Common pedal points you might meet

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[rogier]

Very well explained. Great job! I do, however, have to point out that your opening isn't quite correct: Pedal point has everything to do with organs, because it was on the organ's pedals that the pedalpoint was originally written and played! In dutch, therefore, "pedal point" is translated to "orgelpunt", literally "organ point".

[cardcountrymusic]

Awesome thank you!! One of my favorite pedal points is the one Beethoven used in Fur Elise, the tonic pedal point at the end of the development and then modulated up a step to the A sharp; you know the one!!

[cornbone]

thank you so much for this clear and simple explanation! your channel is such a gem and I always walk away with a deeper understanding because you describe everything in a way that beginners can really grasp.

[robertschulz]

Very good explanation. Couldn't have been better.

[filippesta]

Absolutely amazing explanation. Thank you.

[Bryn_Raschaul]

Thank you for uploading this. This really helped me understand better.

[Ilovetosingem]

Hi Gareth
Would it be correct to say: Shall we say, you were playing with the modes, and very entertaining it is. When you started playing with the melody later, really quite wonderful it was for me, to see the the development of this music. It's like magic! Thanks again.

[edzielinski]

Excellent - I've read pedal point about this elsewhere, but until I watched this, I didn't really grasp it. Thank you!

[justdalaughters]

Sir, thank u for all ur efforts. U definitely are appreciated by me.

[cesargomez]

Hello. Thank you again for another thorough tutorial.

I have a question. Can pedal points be established in other voices besides the bass? Say the third, second, or top voice?

[jasonlauritsen]

So much of metal music is playing off of this in a massive way

[theleastsignificantbit]

Thanks for making this! I learned something new today!

[twilightbiscuit]

perfect, very nicely explained, now I know what a pedal note 🔥

[mikegeld]

Cool the best explanation of this I've seen, 👍bravo great job

[gardeniamartinez]

Thank you for explaining this sir! I'm working on a composition project this is helpful.

[davec]

thanks for the video! but keeping the tonic as pedal point, when i'll risolve where will be the tension, if i'm keeping the tonic and not the dominant? thanks

[Redrios]

omg excellent formal packet of a single concept in such short time (2 min) wityh exanmples and all, . the rest is extra context for keyboard playesrs/composers

[pejmankazemi]

Thank you very much for this tutorial ...

[saig]

Amazing explanation. One side bar question. What editing tool did you use to plug in the virtual piano at the bottom?