Modulation Microlesson

Introduction to Modulation

This section will review modulation. Modulation is when the key changes in a piece of music to an actual, new tonic.

Although there are approximately nine common types of modulation, we are only going to focus on the following: common chord, altered chord, and phrase modulations.

Lesson Key Terms:

Natural Minor Scales: This scale uses the same tonic as the major scale. To create a natural minor scale, use lowered third; lowered sixth; and lowered seventh degrees from the major scale.
Harmonic Minor Scale: The harmonic minor scale has two lowered scale degrees, the 3rd degree and 6th degree. Using the major scale as a foundation, lower the 3rd and 6th degrees of the major scale. The result is the Harmonic Minor Scale.
Melodic Minor Scale: This is the most unusual minor scale because it has distinct parts for ascending and descending. When ascending, the Melodic Minor Scale only lowers the 3^rd scale degree; but when descending, the 3^rd, 6^th, and 7^th degrees are lowered, which is technically using the Natural Minor Scale.

Explore

Watch the video presentation below to learn more about this topic. Prepare to take notes and use the navigational buttons at the bottom of the video to pause, rewind, or move forward. Move forward to the challenge section to review your understanding.

Correction: At 4:15 in the video – the video says B is I in C major, but it should be B major.

Click here to download a printable copy of the presentation video.

Challenge

Modulation Challenge Review

See how well you understand the content for this lesson by participating in the self-assessment activity below.

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