pedal point

American  

noun

Music.

1. a tone sustained by one part, usually the bass, while other parts progress without reference to it.

2. a passage containing it.

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pedal point British  

/ ˈpɛdəl /

noun

1. Often shortened to: pedal.  music a sustained bass note, over which the other parts move bringing about changing harmonies

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Etymology

Origin of pedal point

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Soon, though, a series of downward-sliding melodies in the violins begins to tug the music away; the pedal point returns, but feels slightly less fixed.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Even the pedal point of a Bach cantata has a drone going through it.

From New York Times • May 9, 2011

Elsewhere the spirit of the time is evoked in wistful, gently melodic passages, played over a pedal point, or repeating bass note.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2010

Today, U.S. cities have their street musicians: modern minstrels who weave their fragile melodies over the pedal point of trucks and subways, amid a chorus of honking horns and an obbligato of blaring transistor radios.

From Time Magazine Archive

All this over the pedal point of worldly noises.

From Franz Liszt by Huneker, James