Diatonic Common Chord Modulation
ADVERTISEMENT
1music theory for musicians and normal people by toby w. rush
Diatonic Common Chord Modulation
modulation is the process of changing to a different key within a piece of music.
there are several different
ways to modulate; perhaps the
common practice period composers,
simplest is the unprepared
however, preferred a particular type
modulation, where the music
of modulation that required a little
pauses and suddenly changes
more planning: the diatonic common
key, often up a half-step.
chord modulation. as the name
suggests, this uses a chord which
is diatonic in both the outgoing key
hey... what is this
and the new key .
portrait doing here?
let’s say we’re starting off in c major... here is a list of all the keys which
have chords in common with c major (the specific chords are highlighted):
for instance,
the I chord
in G major
G:
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
vii°
a:
i
ii°
III
iv
V
VI
vii°
is G-B-D...
...which is
the V chord
in C major!
F:
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
vii°
e:
i
ii°
III
iv
V
VI
vii°
notice how these keys
are all close to one
keys which have
another on the
chords in common
circle of fifths.
like this are
called related keys.
D:
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
vii°
d:
i
ii°
III
iv
V
VI
vii°
b:
i
ii°
III
iv
V
VI
vii°
b I
B :
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
vii°
to use this type of
note that the pivot
modulation, a composer
chord is always the
would pivot the harmony
last chord that can
around the chord that
be analyzed in the
fit into both keys.
old key ... the first
As theorists, we show
accidentals will always
this pivot chord by
occur in the chord
C:
I
ii
V
I
vi
analyzing the chord in
immediately following
both keys.
e: iv
the pivot chord!
V
VI iv
V
i
licensed under a creative commons BY-NC-ND license - visit for more
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Education