Modulation music: Encyclopedia II - Modulation music - Significance of modulation

Modulation music - Significance of modulation

In certain classical music forms, a modulation can have structural significance. In sonata form, for example, a modulation divides the first subject from the second subject. Frequent changes of key characterize the development section of sonatas. Moving to the subdominant is a standard practice in the trio section of a march in a major key, while a minor march will move to the relative major.

Changes of key may also represent changes in mood; many composers associate certain keys with specific emotional content, but in general, major keys are cheerful or heroic, while minors are sad and somber. Moving from a lower key to a higher often indicates an increase in energy.

Change of key is not possible in the full chromatic or the twelve tone technique, as the modulatory space is completely filled; i.e., if every pitch is equal and ubiquitous there is nowhere else to go. Thus other differentiating methods are used, most importantly ordering and permutation. However, certain pitch formations may be used as a "tonic" or home area.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Significance of modulation", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki