# pedal keyboard

> musical keyboard played with the feet, usually used for low-pitched notes

**Wikidata**: [Q1758965](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1758965)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_keyboard)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pedal-keyboard

## Summary
A pedal keyboard is a musical keyboard played with the feet, typically used to produce low-pitched notes on pipe organs and pedal pianos. It functions as a separate division of the instrument, allowing organists to play bass lines and complex contrapuntal music with their feet while their hands play on the manual keyboards above.

## Key Facts
- Part of: organ console, pedal piano, pipe organ, organ
- Instance of: musical keyboard and division
- Subclass of: musical keyboard (with foot as playing mechanism)
- Physically interacts with: foot (played by organist)
- Opposite of: organ manual (hand-played keyboards)
- Different from: guitar pedalboard, piano pedal
- Sitelink count: 16 Wikipedia language editions
- Commons category: Organ pedals
- Art & Architecture Thesaurus ID: 300209237

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between a pedal keyboard and regular organ pedals?
A: A pedal keyboard is the complete set of foot-operated keys arranged like a keyboard, while "organ pedals" can refer to individual foot-operated levers. The pedal keyboard allows for melodic playing and complex bass lines, not just simple sustained notes.

### Q: How many notes does a typical pedal keyboard have?
A: The source material does not specify the exact number of notes on a pedal keyboard. However, pedal keyboards are designed to cover the bass range and are arranged chromatically like a standard keyboard.

### Q: Is a pedal keyboard only used on pipe organs?
A: No, while primarily associated with pipe organs, pedal keyboards are also found on pedal pianos. They serve the same function of providing a foot-operated bass register on these instruments.

### Q: Why do organs need a pedal keyboard instead of just using the hands?
A: The pedal keyboard allows organists to play three independent musical lines simultaneously - two with the hands on the manuals and one with the feet. This enables the performance of complex polyphonic music that would be impossible with hands alone.

## Why It Matters
The pedal keyboard represents a unique solution to the challenge of extending human musical capability beyond the limitations of two hands. By engaging the feet as independent musical agents, it transforms the lower body from a passive support into an active participant in musical creation. This innovation enabled the development of the distinctive organ repertoire, from Bach's monumental fugues to modern symphonic works, where the feet must execute passages as complex as those played by the hands. The pedal keyboard exemplifies how instrument design can expand human potential, turning a single performer into the equivalent of three musicians working in perfect coordination. Its influence extends beyond music, inspiring adaptive technologies that reimagine how different parts of the body can interact with machines.

## Notable For
- Unique among keyboards in being operated by feet rather than hands
- Enables single performers to play three independent musical lines simultaneously
- Essential component for performing the complete organ repertoire, including complex polyphonic works
- Represents one of the few musical interfaces designed specifically for foot operation
- Distinguished from similar-sounding devices like guitar pedalboards and piano pedals, which serve different functions

## Body
### Design and Function
The pedal keyboard serves as a foot-operated division of larger keyboard instruments, primarily pipe organs and pedal pianos. Unlike hand-played manuals, this keyboard is positioned horizontally at floor level, requiring the performer to sit on a bench that allows comfortable foot access. The keys are typically larger and spaced wider than manual keys to accommodate the precision limitations of foot movement.

### Relationship to Other Components
As a division of the organ, the pedal keyboard operates independently from the manuals above it. It can be coupled to other divisions or played separately, giving the performer extensive control over registration and timbre. The pedal division typically controls its own set of pipes, distinct from those played by the manuals.

### Terminology and Variations
The device is known by multiple names across different languages and contexts. In English, it is commonly called a pedalboard, pedal clavier, or simply pedals. German terms include Pedalier and Stöpselpedal, while French uses pédale (orgue). These various terms reflect the instrument's integration into different musical traditions and organ-building schools.

### Physical Interaction
The pedal keyboard represents a unique human-machine interface, being one of the few musical devices designed specifically for foot operation. The performer interacts with it through precise foot movements, often requiring considerable practice to develop the coordination necessary for complex passages. This interaction is mediated through footwear, as organists typically wear special shoes that facilitate accurate key depression while allowing for the subtle movements required in performance.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "pedal keyboard",
  "description": "musical keyboard played with the feet, usually used for low-pitched notes",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134934", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_keyboard"],
  "additionalType": "musical keyboard"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013