Pedal Point

– also called Pedal Note or Pedal Tone

– a Note that’s Sustained by a “Bass Instrument” while Chords Move on Above it, e.g. a Chord/Scale Played with an Alternate Bass Note 

– means with the Left Hand you Keep the Pedal Point Constant while you Change the Chords with the Right Hand 

– for Example a Constant C in the Bass over D Major, F Major and G Major etc.

– another Example shows a C/Ab Symbol in the Note Sheet, which can Denote either a Triad over a Bass Note or a Triad over another Triad

– so in Pedal Point, the Improvisator would Play a C Major Scale over an Ab in the Bass where the Ab as a Part of the Scale itself could be Included or Ignored 

– often occur on the 5 Dominant

– Pedal Tones Create Tension until they Resolve Back to a Tonic 

– often used in the Intro of a Song to get Listeners Attention/Curiosity to where the Song leads

– the 80ies had a lot of Rhythmic Repetitions with a Pedal Point Note and a Floating Melody over that as a Counterpart

– Notice that Pedal Points Primary Function is Stability, so the Static Motion can Easily Go Boring and Lacks of Emotional Depth 

– Does Never Justify the Absence of a Good Bass