Harmonic Analysis - Internal Modulation

An Internal Modulation is when a change of tonal center has occurred.

Published: 06 Apr 2012 Updated: 08 Jun 2024Visits: 20Code: MLRMAe-6

Category: TheoryInstrument: Theory Subjects: Theory • Intermediate • Advanced • Progressions

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Harmonic Analysis - Internal Modulation


Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.

This lesson covers the Internal Modulation harmonic principle.

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This series, is the book Harmonic Analysis for Chord Substitution and Scale Selection by Curt sheller broken out into individual lessons with additional examples and content. Always, the latest version of the book.

An Internal Modulation is when a change of tonal center has occurred. This modulation can be sudden, prepared, a temporary modulation, or an actual modulation. The modulation can be any interval from above or below previous key.

A modulation can be from a major to major tonality, a minor to minor tonality, a major to minor tonality, or from a minor to major tonality. Or from a diatonic tonality to a modal tonality or modal to diatonic. I can be from one tonality to any tonality.

Once a modulation has occurred use the other harmonic principles to identify a chord's function.

WORKSHEET NOTATION: Use the notation for Full Diatonic, Partial Diatonic, Unresolved, Chromatic, or Cycle as required by the individual principle.

Determining a Modulation

If you start getting a lot of partial diatonic or chromatic chords in succession then a possible modulation has occurred. Revisit the analysis of the chords in question and apply the principles for Full and Partial Diatonic to determine if a modulation to new tonality or key center has happened.Determining a Modulation If you start getting a lot of partial diatonic or chromatic chords in succession then a possible modulation has occurred. Revisit the analysis of the chords in question and apply the principles for Full and Partial Diatonic to determine if a modulation to new tonality or key center has happened.

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Harmonic Analysis - Internal Modulation…

Pivot or Double Function Chords

A pivot or double function chord is defined as a chord that functions in both the current tonality and the new tonality. This chord smoothly prepares a modulation to the new key center. This is a common modulation technique.

Common Modulations

It would seem from the description of modulation that anything is possible. However there are common modulations to be aware of.

A) Closely related keys (Key Signature)

FULL DIATONIC

I
II
III
IV
V
VI

Example*

C
Dm
Em
F
G
Am

* Examples relative to C.

Partial Diatonic

Related Keys (Keep Root, Reuse Species)

Chromatic

Related Keys (Root out of key)

bII
bIII
bV
bVI
bVII

Example*

Db
Eb
Gb
Ab
Bb

* Examples relative to C.

B) Distant Related Key (Key Signature. No more than a three accidental difference).

Tierce de Picardy

Tierce de Picardy (Picardy Third) is a common practice of establishing a minor key but resolving it major. Example II V I in the key of C minor would be Dm7b5, G7 to Cm7. With the Picardy Third resolution it would be Dm7b5 G7 Cmaj7. Songs such as How High the Moon and Bluesette use this harmonic move.

Song Examples

Most folk, rock and blues songs remain in one key. Most Jazz and Pop standards will modulate to new key centers.

Jazz Classics

Modulation Interval

All The Things You Are

bar 6 & 14

Descending Whole Steps

How High The Moon

bar 3

Up a Major Third

Tune Up

bar 3

Descending Whole Steps

Solar

bar 3

Descending Whole Steps

Airegin

bar 3

Descending Whole Steps

Bluesette

bridge

Descending Whole Steps

Checkout the Songs section of LearningUkulele.com , as many of the songs examples above are available.

Download the PDF file for the latest, complete, and most up-to-date version. As well as additional information not presented on-line.

End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

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