Chapter 19: Tonicization and Modulation

Concepts:
 Closely related keys
 Modulating sequences
 Modulation
 Pivot
 Pivot area
 Pivot chord
 Tonicized area

Summary:
 Summarize the differences between tonicization and modulation
o Tonicizations: usually occur within phrases. They do not disrupt the feeling of
the home key; they do not have strong cadences, and they are fleeting
o Modulations: include a strong cadence in the new key, and the new key continues
after the cadence. They give a feeling that a new key has usurped the home key
(at least for the moment)
 Give the roman numerals for closely related keys in a major mode
o ii, iii, IV, V, and vi
 Give the roman numerals for closely related keys in a minor mode, using the natural
minor scale
o III, iv, v, VI, and VII
 You can determine closely related keys by identifying the major and minor keys whose
key signatures differ by no more than 1 sharp of flat sign from the original key
o Keys closely related to C major (0 sharps/flats) are: A minor (0 sharps/flats), G
major (1 sharp), E minor (1 sharp), F major (1 flat), and D minor (1 flat)
o Keys closely related to C minor (3 flats) are: Eb major (3 flats), F minor (4 flats),
Ab major (4 flats), G minor (2 flats), Bb major (2 flats)
 Pivot chord: a chord that is diatonic in the old key and the new key
 Complete the chart below listing all the possible pivot chords between C major and G
major. Put an “X” if the chord does not exist in G major
C major I ii iii IV V vi viio
G major

 The best pivot chords are pre-dominant in function in the new key because they can
begin a phrase model (PD-D-T) that confirms the new key. Therefore, if ii, IV, and vi are
pre-dominant in function, which triads are effective pivot chords between C major and G
major?
o A
 True or false: ii, IV, and vi in the dominant will always be effective pivot chords when
modulating to the dominant in a major key
 Pivot area: several chords in succession (such as a sequence) that function in two keys
will work together