Modulation using the Neapolitan Chord - Music Theory
TLDRThe video explains the concept of modulation in music, which involves moving from one key to another to add interest and variety. It traces how modulation practices have evolved, from simple shifts between closely related keys in the Baroque era to more dramatic and adventurous changes enabled by chromatic chords in the Romantic period. As an example, it introduces the Neapolitan chord, which can facilitate modulation to distant keys like moving directly from C major to D-flat major. It encourages musicians to experiment with modulation using chromatic chords like the Neapolitan to make their music more exciting.
Takeaways
- 😀 Modulation is moving from one key to another in a piece of music to add variety.
- 🔑 In the Baroque period, modulation was mainly to closely related keys like the relative minor.
- ♨️ By the 19th century, composers wanted more dramatic, emotion-filled modulations.
- 🎹 Chromatic chords opened up more options for modulation.
- 👂 The Neapolitan chord is the flattened second degree chord, like D♭ in C major.
- 🎶 The Neapolitan chord adds color when used in the home key.
- 🚆 It can modulate quickly to distant keys like from C major to D♭ major.
- 🔀 It typically goes to the Ic chord or dominant V7 before resolving.
- 🛣️ The Neapolitan chord bridges the gap between keys smoothly.
- 🤹♂️ Use the Neapolitan chord to modulate in more exciting ways in your music.
Q & A
What is modulation in music?
-Modulation is when we move from one key to another key in a piece of music. It provides variety and prevents the music from sounding boring if it stays in the same key throughout.
How did composers modulate keys in the Baroque period?
-In the Baroque period, composers would modulate to closely related keys, usually by adding or subtracting one sharp or flat. For example, going from C major to G major by adding one sharp, or going from C major to the relative minor A minor.
How did modulation become more adventurous over time?
-As time went on, composers started using more chromatic chords and became more daring with modulation to create drama and expression. They modulated to more distant keys instead of always staying closely related.
What is a Neapolitan chord?
-A Neapolitan chord is based on the lowered second degree of the scale. For example, in C major the Neapolitan chord has a D-flat instead of D natural, along with F and A-flat.
How can a Neapolitan chord be used to modulate keys?
-A Neapolitan chord adds color when used in a home key, but it can also serve as a pivot chord to modulate to a distant new key. For example, it can go from C major to D-flat major.
What inversion is a Neapolitan chord usually in?
-The Neapolitan chord is often found in first inversion, with the third of the chord in the bass.
What chords does a Neapolitan chord typically resolve to?
-The Neapolitan chord usually resolves to the Ic chord or dominant V7 chord before returning to the tonic I chord.
Why use a Neapolitan chord when modulating?
-The Neapolitan allows for a smooth and seamless modulation between distant keys, instead of having to go through several intermediate keys.
What should you try in your own music improvisation?
-You could experiment with using the Neapolitan chord to modulate in more exciting and adventurous ways in your own improvisation and composition.
What time period saw composers expressing more emotion in music?
-In the 19th century, music became much more about expressing emotion, passion and feelings, which led composers to use more dramatic chords and daring modulations.
Outlines
🎵 What is modulation and how it evolved over time
This paragraph explains what modulation is - moving from one key to another within a musical piece to add variety. It talks about how modulation was limited to closely related keys in the Baroque period, but later composers wanted more dramatic modulation using chromatic chords.
😮 Using the Neapolitan chord to modulate between distant keys
This paragraph introduces the Neapolitan chord, built on the lowered second degree of the scale. It shows how the Neapolitan chord can be used to modulate between very distant keys like C major and D-flat major.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Modulation
💡Chromatic chords
💡Neapolitan chord
💡First inversion
💡Circle of fifths
💡Relative minor
💡Super tonic
💡Resolving
💡Improvisation
💡Intervening keys
Highlights
Modulation is when we move from one key to another key.
If you just stick in one key, it starts to sound a bit boring after a while.
In the Baroque period, composers would modulate to closely related keys, like neighboring keys on the circle of fifths.
As time goes on, composers want to be more adventurous with modulation using chromatic chords.
In the 19th century, music is all about emotion, so composers use a broader, more dramatic range of chords to modulate in exciting ways.
The Neapolitan chord is based on the lowered second degree of the scale.
The Neapolitan chord adds color when used in the home key.
The Neapolitan chord typically resolves to the Ic chord or V chord.
The Neapolitan chord can modulate quickly between distant keys like C major and D-flat major.
Using the Neapolitan to modulate is more adventurous than going through intermediate keys.
Try using the Neapolitan chord in your own improvisations and compositions.
Sticking in one key for too long starts to sound boring.
Composers modulated to closely related keys in the Baroque period.
Chromatic chords enabled more adventurous modulations.
The Neapolitan chord adds dramatic color.
The Neapolitan can smoothly modulate between distant keys.
Transcripts
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