Unit 6-1: Abrupt Modulation

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Define modulation and identify examples of abrupt modulation, step-up modulation, and step-down modulation.
Describe different ways that modulation is used as an expressive device in composition.
Identify five closely-related keys for any given major or minor key.
Analyze examples from the repertoire to identify points of modulation, key relationships, and the effect of the modulation used.

Preparation for Class

Read:

Direct Modulation (Trevor de Clercq, The Practice of Popular Music, pp. 450–54) - Available online through the library
- - Alternate Open Source Readings:
    - - Modulations (Wilmoth, PopGrammar) - Just read up to the section "Modulation Using Common Tones"
      - 12 Amazing Key Changes in Pop (Betuw, Piano TV) - Just read up the section "Pivot Chord Key Changes"
Extended Tonicization and Modulation to Closely-Related Keys (John Peterson, OMT)
- - Just read the section on "direct modulation" and "closely-related keys."
Scalar and Tonal Shift (Temperley, The Musical Language of Rock) - Read Section 9.5

Explore

Skim through the videos here to listen to different examples of modulation in pop music.

4 Inventive Key Changes in Pop Music
(David Bennett, 15 mins)

How Queen Uses Key Changes
(David Bennett, 12 mins)

How Radiohead Uses Key Changes
(David Bennett, 13 mins)

Reference Aids

Diatonic Common Chord Modulation Handout
Source: Toby Rush (Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People)

Closely-Related Keys
Closely-related keys are those within 1 sharp/flat of the original key. On the circle of 5ths, this is the relative major/minor and the major and minor key on the left and right on the circle.

A Circle of Fifths diagram is shown, with major keys in uppercase letters around the outer circle and their relative minor keys in lowercase letters inside, closer to the center. The diagram is organized clockwise in ascending fifths. Starting at the top and proceeding clockwise, the outer circle shows: C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#/Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F. The inner circle shows the relative minor keys: a, e, b, f#, c#, eb/d#, bb/a#, f/g#, c/db, ab, eb, d. Each major key is accompanied by its corresponding major scale in standard musical notation. Each minor key is accompanied by its corresponding natural minor scale in standard musical notation. Numbers with flats and sharps are shown between the major and minor keys, representing the number of flats or sharps in each key's key signature.

In-Class Activities

Discussion

Defining Modulation: Answer the following questions about terms discussed in the reading:
- - What is modulation?
  - What is a step-up or step-down modulation? How does the step modulation compare to the abrupt (or direct) modulation discussed in the OMT reading?
  - Consider Whitney Houston's use of modulation in "I Will Always Love You" and Michael Jackson's use in "Man in the Mirror." How is modulation used for expressive effect? Where does it occur in the form and phrase structure in these two songs? (See the chords and audio for both examples here in the anthology.)

Modulation in "Love on Top": Modulation is an important compositional feature in Beyoncé's song "Love on Top." Watch the music video while you listen. Can you spot the modulations? (There's more than one!)
- - What type of modulation is used in the song? Does she modulate up or down? By what interval?
  - Where do they occur? Is this a typical use of modulation>
  - What is the effect of the modulation each time it occurs? How does it change the way you hear the song? (Consider what the song would sound like without modulation.)
  - How does the music video guide the listener's ear? How does it relate to your observations about Beyonce's use of modulation?
Closely-Related Keys: What are closely-related keys? How many closely-related keys does each key have? How do you find these? What is the difference in effect in modulating to a closely- or distantly-related key?

Activities

Closely-Related Keys: Select any major or minor key, then identify all of the closely-related keys to this key. Then, go up a whole or half step from any of those keys and identify all of the closely-related keys to that key. Continue to process until you've worked through at least 5 different keys.
Analysis: Analyze examples from the repertoire in the Anthology section below. Identify the type of modulation used, and identify Roman numerals and any chord schemata you recognize. Does the example modulate to a closely-related or distantly-related key? Where in the song does the modulation occur? What is the effect of the modulation?
Re-Composition: Select a song from the repertoire that doesn't currently incorporate a modulation. Discuss different ways that you might reharmonize the song to include an abrupt modulation. Rewrite the example and discuss how it changes your interpretation.

Repertoire for Practice

Modulation: Check out this section of the anthology for examples of direct/abrupt modulation and modulation with pivot chords.

Anthology: Modulation

Assignment

Assignment 7-1

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Pivot Modulation

Want to learn more?

Check out one of these videos or articles below:

Buchler, Michael. “Modulation as a Dramatic Agent in Frank Loesser’s Broadway Songs.” Music Theory Spectrum 30, no. 1 (2008): 35–60.
Doll, Christopher. "Rockin’out: expressive modulation in verse-chorus form." Music Theory Online 17, no. 3 (2011).
Hanenberg, Scott J. "Rock Modulation and Narrative." Music Theory Online 22, no. 2 (2016).

The Most Elegant Key Change in All of Pop Music
Adam Neely (27 mins)

Recognizing Modulation
Dr. Anna Gawboy (14 mins) Watch on Vimeo here

This provides a deeper dive into modulation from a "classical music" perspective.

Practice

Musition:
- Modulation: Levels 1–2c

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