pedal

Examples

• All

• The composer skillfully added a pedal in the bass to enhance the emotional depth of the piece.

• At the concert, the bassist complemented the harmonies with a deep pedal that resonated beautifully.

• Everyone else can sing the starting tone, holding it like a pedal note.

  Academic text (1996)

• But then, Rosina was without a doubt one of the foremost teachers of pedal in the world.

  Academic text (1996)

• I learned if a pianist was using too much pedal, and if the conductor really understood the style of Mozart.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Gigi sat this way on the piano bench while practicing, unless the piece required use of the sustain pedal.

  Fiction book (1997)

• So I'm going to use AD triad and an E triad for example, but I'm going to use it over a pedal tone, so I'm going to use D in the base.

  Rick Beato

Synonyms

P

pedal point

vspedal

• Specialized

7.9

A long low note held while other notes above it change

states the general sustained bass note without stressing its tension or resolution role

Idioms

P

to put the pedal to the metal

• Informal

7 6.3

To drive or work as fast as possible, often to finish something

Compounds

G

gas pedal

• US

14 2.5

A foot pedal in a car that controls the car's speed

B

brake pedal

• Specialized

3 2.0

A foot pedal you press to make a car slow down or stop

F

foot pedal

2 3.2

A thing you press with your foot to control a machine like a car or sewing machine

P

pedal pushers

• Archaic

1 4.9

Snug pants for women that end around the middle of the lower leg

C

clutch pedal

• Specialized

1 3.9

A pedal in a car you press to disconnect the engine so you can change gears

A

accelerator pedal

1 3.0

A foot pedal in a car that controls the engine speed

C

chorus pedal

• Specialized

6.7

An electronic device that makes one electric instrument sound like several by adding short echoes and small pitch changes

L

loud pedal

• Specialized

7.1

The pedal on the right of a piano that makes notes keep sounding longer

P

pedal point

• Specialized

7.9

A long low note held while other notes above it change

P

pedal curve

• Specialized

9.9

A curve formed by points where perpendiculars from a fixed point meet a curve's tangents

P

pedal extremity

• Specialized

6.7

The foot and toes at the end of a leg

S

sustaining pedal

• Specialized

6.8

A piano pedal that lifts the pads on the strings so notes keep sounding after you release the keys

S

soft pedal

6.3

A foot control on a piano that makes the sound softer

Surface Forms

Etymology