Posted by Chuck(G) on May 04, 2001 at 12:17:51:
In Reply to: Contra-Octave in band playing posted by Austin H. on May 03, 2001 at 17:31:29:
I'm surprised that Fred Young hasn't dropped in on this discussion.
I'm not at all sure that a pedal note sounds the same to the audience as we under the bell think it does. Dr. Young has stated that a pedal consists mainly of higher overtones and actually has very little of the fundamental in it. So maybe a pedal isn't really an "octave down" in the true sense, just a different sound and therefore not very useful as reinforcement of the fundamental.
So while there MAY be appropriate times to use the technique it's NOT to solidify a bass line.
My own thoughts, naturally.