Other Modulation

Tonicization

Pivot Chord Modulation (Closely-Related Keys)

Pivot Chord Modulation (Distantly-Related Keys)

Multiple Modulations

More Examples

Tonicization

1) John Williams, Main Theme

From the film Schindler's List (1994)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:15–1:07)

2) Elton John, “Tiny Dancer,” verse 1

From Madman Across the Water (1971), words and music by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:13–1:07)

3) Nobuo Uematsu, “Opening Theme,” mm. 1–8

From the video game Final Fantasy (1987)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:00–0:20)

Pivot Chord Modulation (Closely-Related Keys)

1) U2, “One,” verse 1 and chorus

From Achtung Baby (1991), written by Bono, The Edge (Guitarist), Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr

Audio: YouTube (0:13–0:57), mp3

[Verse ]

Am D
Is it getting better

F G
Or do you feel the same

Am D
Will it make it easier on you now

F G
you've got someone to blame

[Chorus]

C Am
You say one love one life

F C
When it's one need in the night

C Am
One love we get to share it

F C Am
It leaves you baby if you don't care for it

2) Fastball, “The Way,” verse 1 and chorus

From All the Pain Money Can Buy (1998), written by Tony Scalzo

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: mp3

19) Corona Schröter, "Die Watchel"

From 25 Lieder (1786)

Scores: PDF, MuseScore
Audio: __

3) Heart, “Alone,” verse 1, chorus, and verse 2

From Bad Animal (1987), written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:11–1:23)

4) Carole King, “You've Got a Friend,” verse and chorus

From Tapestry (1971), written by Carole King

Audio: YouTube (0:11–1:49)

[Verse]

C7 Fm C7
When you're down and troubled

Fm C7/G Fm/A♭ Gø7 Fm
And you need some loving care

B♭m7 E♭7 A♭
And nothing, nothing is going right

Gm7 C7 B♭/C C7
Close your eyes and think of me

Fm C7/G Fm/A♭ C7/G Fm

And soon I will be there

B♭m7 Cm7 D♭/E♭ E♭
To brighten up even your darkest night

[Chorus]

D♭/E♭ A♭
You just call out my name

D♭
And you know wherever I am

A♭
I'll come running

D♭/E♭
To see you again

A♭ A♭M7
Winter, spring, summer or fall

D♭M7 B♭m/D♭ Fm
All you have to do is call

A♭7/E♭ D♭M7 Cm7 B♭m7 D♭/E♭
And I'll be there

A♭ D♭/A♭ A♭ Gm7 C7
You've got a friend

5) Mark Knopfler, “Once Upon a Time... Storybook Love,” mm. 35–54

From the film The Princess Bride (1987)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (2:03–2:59)

Pivot Chord Modulation (Distantly-Related Keys)

1) Stevie Wonder, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” verse

From Talking Book (1972), written by Stevie Wonder

Audio: YouTube (0:44–1:13)

BM7 EM7 E/F# BM7 EM7 E/F#
I feel like this is the be - ginning

BM7 EM7 E/F# A#ø7 E♭7
Though I've loved you for a million years

A♭M7 D♭M7 D♭/E♭ A♭m
And if I thought our love was ending

C#7 F#7
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears, woah

Multiple Modulations

1) Billy Joel, “Uptown Girl”

From An Innocent Man (1983), written by Billy Joel

Scores: PDF, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube, mp3

More Examples

See the "Modulation" page under Classical Harmony in this Anthology.
Paula Maust, Expanding the Music Theory Canon: Modulation
Diverse Music Theory Examples: Tonicization, Pivot Chord and Direct Modulation, Common-tone Modulation, Abrupt and Enharmonic Modulations
Music By Women: Explore the Database (Click on the Harmonic Progression Filter on the left and select Modulation.)
Yale Musical Examples Database: See the "Harmonic/Scale" tab at the bottom. (Scrool to the bottom for examples of direct modulation in pop)