You are on page 1of 1

music 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?
manilo
w

lets say were 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
is G-B-D... a: i ii III iv V VI vii
...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 b: I 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
analyzing the chord in C: I ii V I vi immediately following
both keys.
e: iv V VI iv V i the pivot chord!

licensed under a creative commons BY-NC-ND license - visit tobyrush.com for more

You might also like