Re: Heels in Bach ? Do what you want, the aim firstly the mu
There is no direct evidence either way as to whether JS Bach used heels or not. However, based on other evidence, it is possible to determine that German organists in those days probably used very little heel. What I have found playing either old flat pedalboards from the 19th century here in the US, or playing on copies of old instruments, is that heels are possible, but sometimes awkward. It is much easier to control articulation using toes.
By looking at sources other than JS Bach, scholars pretty much agree that the old German pedal technique mostly involved toes, and involved foot crossing, in front or behind. Also, because of the non-legato technique of those days, it is entirely possible to play a good pedal line just hopping up the scale with the toes of one foot. We know Bach did exactly that with his fingers, based on existing fingerings of his own and his students. So when the pedal lines got to the top or the bottom of the pedalboard, organists probably either 1) used a heel once in awhile 2) used alternate toes--though this can get uncomfortable for high or low notes or 3) just hopped around with one foot. I use a combination of these methods, but often use the hopping method. However the pedal solo in Bach's F major Toccata really required alternate feet. I have pedaled the D major scale in the D major Prelude using heels, but have found the all toe method with crossing feet to be more accurate for me on a flat pedalboard. It also allows better control of articulation.
I believe the answer to this is to do whatever works the best, but to just use heels because that's what you're used to is not the answer. Actually try learning to alternate toes and cross your feet and give it a fair attempt before deciding which works better. I think heels are necessary sometimes, but how often depends on the kind of pedalboard. For me, not too often on a flat pedalboard, but more often on a concave, radiating one.
Thomas Dressler