What are pipe organ pedals?

Pipe organ pedals are a key part of a pipe organ, which is a big musical instrument. These pedals look like a large keyboard that you play with your feet. They are on the floor of the organ and have long, wide keys arranged like the keys of a piano.

Pipe organ pedals help the musician play deep and low sounds, notes that sound much lower than those played with the hands on the keyboard above. Each pedal key is connected to a pipe, and when you press a pedal, air passes through the specific pipe connected to that pedal, producing sound.

Most often, the pedals are played using the toes and heels of both feet. Musicians use them to add bass (the very low sounds in music) to their music, helping give it a full and rich sound. Pipe organs are commonly found in churches, and the pedals are important for playing many types of music, especially hymns and classical pieces.