A pedal point is a technique where one note, usually in the bass, is held or repeated while the chords and melody above it change. Because the foundation stays put, it creates stability and tension at the same time.
The basic idea
The tonic of the key or the fifth is often placed in the bass and held even as the chords above change. The more the upper harmony shifts, the more the relationship with that constant bass note stands out.
Its role in writing and performing
Holding a single bass note in an intro or a break creates a spacious, pulling atmosphere. It can also build tension before a chorus, or provide a common thread before a key change.
How to try it in your DAW
Put a long root note or a steady repeated figure in the bass and play two or three different chords over it. The low end muddies easily, so thin out the low notes in the upper chords and tidy up your voicing.
How it differs from related terms
A pedal point is a technique for sustaining a bass note, while an ostinato is a repeated figure that can sit in any register. Both build a foundation through repetition, but they focus on different roles.
When you want to change chords while keeping an anchor in the song, a pedal point is a simple and effective method.
