Here's a breakdown:
* Simile: Means "similar" or "like" in Italian.
* Con: Means "with" in Italian.
* Pedal: Refers to a long-held note, often in the bass, creating a foundation for the rest of the music.
In music, "simile con pedal" implies that a section of music is similar to a previous section, but with a pedal point added. This pedal point is typically a long, sustained note that provides a harmonic foundation and adds depth to the music.
For example:
A composer might write "simile con pedal" to indicate that a particular melody or theme should be repeated, but this time with a specific note held throughout as a pedal point. This adds a new harmonic dimension to the music without drastically changing the melody.
In short, "simile con pedal" means "similar with pedal point" in music, indicating a repetition with a sustained bass note for added harmonic depth.
