Yes, since I played organ since 1960...we sure did use pedal bass. AND you can do percussion as well, and other special sounds as needed. I think 20 notes is minumum. also, depending on you keyboard, setting up the pedal (MIDI, voicing ect) can be pretty difficult. You can pretty easily get something to work, but to have the sounds follow the styles, etc...takes a bit of work. To do just bass is pretty easy, the Orchetral stuff take a lot more work.

I have done it on the T2 and the PA2XPRO.
The best instrument I ever had as far as bass pedals was the Thomas 3 manual Palace Deluxe organ....32 notes of pedals, radial arc and toe & heal capabilitys....wow but it was a big Mamma.

I don't think 13 notes would be limiting, you'd just learn to play in that range, like this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcBO90qoHgM

I've got a 13 note midi pedal board. I played pedals for years. I tried it on the T2, it was nice, I was thinking of going that direction, but I've kind of gone the route of auto bass. You got me thinking whether I should keep mine or put them up for sale.

One thing, when you start, keep your shoes on!!!! I learned that lesson the hard way. I thought it was easier with the shoes off. I used to feel kind of funny going into Ritzy restaraunts and take off a shoe. It was really hard for me to unlearn that. But, once I got used to it, it was just as easy. Just a word to the wise:)

Also, you will want to have a stool where you can let your leg swing. Nothing more of a drag than playing pedals on a bench that is too low and you have to raise your whole leg for every note. The guy in the video is surely letting his leg dangle.

The other thing is to get set up so your left foot "dangles" over the F pedal note, right smack dab in the middle.

You'll have fun with this, I know I did. Hmmm, now I'm thinking about pulling them out again.haha

Good luck on this.

Scott

Here is a link which might help http://tyrosmania.com/play-the-pedals.php

Bill

Bill,

Most people brain OVERLOAD!!!!

Thanks for the links gentlemen. I been practing LH bass all day, trying to limit my self to one octave. Yes, it's limiting but it's an interesting challenge. Besides, the idea of having to carry around a 40 plus pound pedal does not appeal to me:)

40 lbs? Which one are you thinking of getting? Mine only weighs a few pounds. IMHO 13 notes is plenty for our purposes. If you have more pedals going up to even an E is a bit of a stretch.

Everybody around here that uses pedals uses 13 and it does the job.

If you get a midi pedal board you won't have the weight as compared to the ones that generate sound.

I use the Roland pk5s which are 13 notes with a systems 360 module. I play all the bass for our 5 through 16 piece big band jobs.

Tom

That's cool that you do pedal bass with a band Tom. I'm hoping to the get same unit as you. That's also what the keyboardist here in Mexico are using.

I've been invited to another gathering of keyboardist this Sunday. Interesting group of players- classical pianist,organist, jazzers, salseros, pop... Quite a few pedal bass players too...

Paul, when you come back to Dallas, I'll take you to see this 2 man band, keyboards, with pedal bass, and saxsophone, all you have to do is buy me a(keg)of beer, haha

I'll get you a keg if you get me those pedals