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5.5.8 Musical Key and Song Modulation: Distant vs Related Keys
A musical key is a set of notes (called a scale) and chords related to a tonic or home note. Song modulation means that you start the song in one key, then at some point 'change the key' by moving to a different set of notes (different scale) and chords related to that different tonic or home note.
In Chapter 6, you’ll learn that, when you modulate, you don’t have to stick to closely-related keys, such as adjacent keys in the Circle of Fifths. In fact, it’s often harder to move the tonal centre (i.e., modulate) to a closely-related key because the two keys have so many notes in common. This sometimes makes it difficult for your listeners to figure out which key you’re in. For this reason, a successful modulation usually takes several measures.
Have another look at the Circle of Fifths (Figure 40 above). The further apart the keys are on the circle, the less closely they’re related. For example, the key of C major is more closely related to the key of G major than to the key of E♭ major.
Modulation to a distant or unrelated key often enlivens a piece of music substantially—if done skilfully. Modulation introduces the element of surprise.