Modulation

 

Lesson 26

November 14th, 2021

Lesson 26

Lecture notes:
  • Modulation is when a piece of music changes key signatures permanently at a certain point in the music, unlike tonicization, which only briefly changes the key of music for a single bar and continues on in the original starting key.
  • There are three prominent modulation types: pivot chord, closely related key, and direct.
  • The pivot chord modulation, sometimes called a 'common' chord modulation, occurs when the starting and new keys share the same chord. The chord in question is used to transition from one key to the next hence the name pivot.
  • Pivot chords function differently depending on the key signature and or transition you want to make.
  • The pivot chords for a major to the dominant would be: I - IV,  iii - vi, V - I, and vi - ii.
  • The pivot chords for a minor to its relative major would be: i - vi, iio - viio, III - I, iv - ii, v - iii, and VI - IV.
  • The pivot chords for a minor to a minor v would be: i - iv, III - VI, v - i, and VII - III.
  • The pivot chords for major to ii would be: I - VII, ii - i, IV - III, and vi - v.
  • The pivot chords for major to iii would be: I - VI, iii - i, V - III, and vi - iv.
  • The pivot chords for major to IV would be: I - V, ii - vi, IV - I, and vi - iii.
  • The pivot chords for major to vi would be: I - III, ii - iv, IV - VI, V - VII, vi - i, and viio - iio.
  • In closely related key modulations, the new key tonic note would be a diatonic note of the original starting key. Additionally, modulations that occur using this method have the option of five available choices. For example, in a major key, you can modulate using ii, iii, IV, V, and vi options.
  • You can modulate a minor key using the closely related method by using: III, iv, v, VI, and VII. 
  • There are only five options in a closely related modulation because the chord must be major or minor. 
  • The direct modulation does precisely what the name entails. It modulates directly to a new key without using a pivot chord. This type of modulation is also known as phrase modulation or abrupt modulation.
  • In popular music, direct modulations are often used to evoke a heightened emotional aesthetic, and they're generally not made around the closely related key either. Instead, they just happen and change the entire mood and feel of a song depending on the intensity applied by the artist or composer.

The photo above is an example of a pivoting modulation in the key of C major modulating to the dominant (G major). The pivot chord in this example is vi - ii. It is vi - ii because, in C major, the A minor chord would be the sixth degree of that scale diatonically, and in G major, the A minor chord would be the second degree. (Photo Credit: Beau Simpson, https://www.artofcomposing.com/the-art-of-modulation-part-2-common-chord-modulation)


The photo above shows both tonicization and modulation using the key of C major. The staff that features the tonicization clearly shows how the key briefly changes key from C major to A minor and then goes right back to C major. The other staff shows how the key modulates from C major permanently changes to the key of A minor. (Photo Credit: https://www.dacapoalcoda.com/tonicization-and-modulation)


The video above explains what a 'common' tone modulation is and how to use them. The two primary modulations used to illustrate the lesson were C major to A major and F major to Db major. The video also had a running staff displaying the music in the background to demonstrate the points being made both audibly and visually. The instrument used to showcase the music was the piano. (Video Credit: Orcastra Studio, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxncRkoCv-Y)


The video above explains pivot note modulation and how they are used to transition from one key to the next. The presenter used the key of C major as his starting key and illustrated how to smoothly transition to Ab major and E major by using those notes to pivot into the new key. The tools used to deliver the lesson were a whiteboard showing the C major triad and a piano, which effectively demonstrated the presentation. (Video Credit: Music Matters, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQbHSEDpE6s)


The photo above is the music for 'Giant Steps' by John Coltrane. This song frequently modulates between three keys, including B major, Eb major, and G major. You can see where I circled in all of the modulations and added roman numerals to help you identify the chord numbers.


The video above is me playing the song 'Giant Steps' from the photo above the video.

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