Modulation Using a Tritone - Music Theory
TLDRIn this video, Gareth Green explains an advanced technique for modulating or changing musical keys between two distant keys quickly. Specifically, he demonstrates how to modulate from C major (no sharps or flats) to F-sharp major (6 sharps) in just 4 bars using chromatic harmony and enharmonic respelling. He establishes C major, uses an augmented sixth chord as a pivot chord, respells it as the dominant seventh of C-sharp major, reinforces it as the dominant of F-sharp major, and resolves to the new tonic chord. This complex harmonic technique allows smooth, rapid modulation between seemingly incompatible keys.
Takeaways
- 😀 The video explains techniques for modulating between very distant keys quickly.
- 😊 Using conventional pivot chords would take too long for an extreme modulation.
- 🤔 An example is modulating from C major (no sharps) to F# major (6 sharps).
- 🧐 Chromatic mediant relationships like the tritone can be used.
- 👍 Augmented sixth chords function well as chromatic pivot chords.
- 🔍 The German sixth in C major can be respelled as V7 in C# major.
- 🎹 This respelled chord resolves naturally to the tonic (I) chord of C# major.
- 🎼 But that C# major chord also functions as V in the new key of F# major.
- 🎵 Reinforce it as V7 and resolve to the F# major tonic for a smooth modulation.
- 🎶 This technique works for any extreme modulation like tritone relationships.
Q & A
What is a pivot chord and how is it conventionally used when modulating to a nearby key?
-A pivot chord is a chord that belongs to both the original key and the new key you are modulating to. It is commonly used when modulating to a close or nearby key, like going from C major to G major. The pivot chord helps provide a smooth transitional bridge between the two keys.
Why is modulating from C major to F-sharp major considered an extreme modulation?
-Modulating from C major to F-sharp major is considered an extreme modulation because the two keys are very distant - C major has no sharps or flats while F-sharp major has 6 sharps. This means there are no common chords (pivot chords) between them to help modulate smoothly.
What is a tritone and what tritone relationship exists between C major and F-sharp major?
-A tritone is an interval spanning three whole tones or steps, such as C to F-sharp. C major and F-sharp major have a tritone relationship, as F-sharp is a tritone above C. This makes them harmonic opposites, very distant from each other.
What is an augmented sixth chord and how is it used in the key modulation example?
-An augmented sixth chord contains the lowered sixth scale degree, an augmented sixth above that, the tonic, and optionally other tones. In the key change example, a German sixth chord is used, containing A-flat (lowered 6th in C major), F-sharp, C, and E-flat. This functions as the pivot chord.
How is enharmonic equivalence used with the augmented sixth chord?
-The augmented sixth chord is respelled using enharmonic equivalents - notes that sound the same but are written differently. This reinterprets the chord as a dominant seventh in C-sharp major while retaining the same sound, allowing it to pull towards the new key.
What establishes the original key of C major and the new key of F-sharp major?
-The first bar with C major chords establishes C major. The German sixth chord modulates to F-sharp major's dominant (V7), which then resolves to the F-sharp major tonic chord, establishing the new key.
Why use a German sixth augmented chord instead of other options?
-The German sixth contains an extra perfect fifth above the bass which facilitates respelling it as the dominant seventh of C-sharp major, which helps pull towards the F-sharp major key.
How many bars or measures does the key change take?
-The extreme modulation from C major to F-sharp major takes place quite rapidly - across only 2 chords or a single bar/measure.
Can this key modulation technique be applied to other musical styles?
-Yes, this chromatic pivot chord technique for extreme modulation can be used in any musical style, from hymn-style to heavy rock. It simply demonstrates an effective way to smoothly transition between distant keys.
What are some next steps to try after learning this technique?
-After learning how to use augmented sixth chords to modulate between distant keys, some next steps would be to experiment with other extreme key changes and see if you can achieve similar smooth yet impactful effects.
Outlines
🎵 Establishing the original key of C major and beginning in C major
The first paragraph establishes the key of C major by outlining the chords used - C major, E minor, and G major. It discusses starting in C major and establishing it as the home key before modulating.
🎹 Introducing the shock chord as a German augmented sixth chord
The second paragraph introduces the shock chord, which is an augmented German sixth chord functioning in C major. It is explained as an enharmonic respelling to make it a dominant seventh in C# major, which can then resolve to the tonic C# major.
🔀 Using the respelled chord to modulate to F# major
The third paragraph explains how the respelled chord functions as the dominant in F# major, allowing modulation by resolving to the tonic F# major chord. The addition of the seventh reinforces the dominant function, facilitating modulation.
🎼 Wrapping up and restating the technique for extreme modulation
The fourth paragraph concludes by restating how this technique enables quick, extreme modulation using a chromatic pivot chord. It suggests exploring other possibilities with modulation and keys.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Modulation
💡Pivot Chord
💡Tritone
💡Chromatic Chord
💡Enharmonic
💡Dominant Seventh
💡Establishing Key
💡Respelling
💡Tonicization
💡Harmonic Function
Highlights
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Transcripts
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