Easy Modulation

Changing keys can be a pretty tricky thing to do; however, there is a trick that makes it exponentially easier.

In order for this shortcut to work for you, you must be confident in your knowledge of every scale and the scale degrees.

I have personally used this method for close to ten years, and it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to modulate. It is a simple formula that is applicable to just about any situation, especially those that require a quick modulation.

Here it is:

1. Know your "home" key (the original key, or the key from which you are modulating).

2. Know your "goal" key (the key to which you are modulating).

3. After finishing your original song, use the ii -> V7 (of the new key) to set it up.

4. Voila! Modulation complete.

Example: Modulating from G Major to Bb Major

We'd end our song on the G: I. A full measure later, we'd take Bb: ii (which would be C minor) and play it for a half or whole measure, and then go to Bb: V7 (which would be F7) and platy it for a half or whole measure, setting us up for Bb.

Now, sometimes this is not ideal, or perhaps you simply don't care for the sound in every situation. So another extremely common method of modulation is by using a pivot point. This pivot point can either be a single tone or a chord, so long as the same tone or chord is shared by both the home and goal keys.

Example: Modulating from G Major to Ab Major

These two keys share no common chords. So, we will use a pivot tone to modulate. What is the V7 of Ab Major? Eb Major. What are the notes of the Eb Major chord? Eb - G - Bb. Oh, look! G is in the V7 of the goal key and in the I of the home key! This will be our pivot tone.

If you'd like a complete list of how to modulate to any key, check out this video:

In this video, we show you how to modulate any distance. We use the example key of G Major, and go to every other key.

You can take this video and apply it to your own home key by simple measuring the relationship of your goal key to your home key (how many half steps), finding the corresponding modulation in the video, and then taking the Roman numerals of that modulation and applying them to your situation.

Modulation is a tricky thing, so don't be afraid to take your time and really practice it. It'll become second nature soon enough.

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We hope this was a blessing!

Aaron Dempsey

I Corinthians 15:58