What is modulation?
I've heard Nirvana modulates as well as a lot of others artists within rock. How does this work and what is it exactly (modulation)? I hear that it's the changing of keys, but how does one do that?
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Originally Posted by: john828How does this work and what is it exactly (modulation)? I hear that it's the changing of keys, but how does one do that?
Modulation is a using notes or chords from a different key, but still remaining in the original key signature (in other words, without changing completely to that other key signature).
Modulation can be thought of as a "temporary" change of key signature.
A simple example would be playing in the key of A major, using the chords A major, D major & E major (all the notes in those chords are built from notes entirely in the key of A, from the A major scale). Then, you include a C major chord, which is built from notes not in the key of A major. You've just modulated.
Or you could play a whole melody or chord progression in the key of A major, then change the whole thing to the key of E major. This is more commonly called transposition, but sometimes people refer to it as modulation.
These tutorials on improvisation cover modulation.
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491
This tutorial on music theory covers secondary dominants, which are the main music device used to modulate.
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=495
This tutorial on the circle of fifths also covers secondary dominants & modulation in a few different genres.
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=835
Modulation is a way of making music sound more interesting, less bland. :) It is a common practice of virtually all styles of music from Baroque & Classical to Jazz & Blues to Country, Rock & Pop. Hope this helps. Ask more if necessary! Have fun.
Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
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Another cool thing to do when writing a chord progression is to emphasize different modes in the same key for different parts of the song.
As an example you could start your verse on one of the major modes then switch to one of the minor modes for the chorus etc.
Your notes to improvise with will remain the same throughout the song (take them from the parent scale) but you will see how the song will lean on different sounds in different parts of the song.
/Dave
As an example you could start your verse on one of the major modes then switch to one of the minor modes for the chorus etc.
Your notes to improvise with will remain the same throughout the song (take them from the parent scale) but you will see how the song will lean on different sounds in different parts of the song.
/Dave
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