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Modulation in Music: Some Important Things to Keep in Mind
It’s not always easy to modulate to a nearby key. You can, for example, easily modulate from the key of C major to its relative minor, the key of A minor, and vice-versa, because the modes differ: major and minor keys sound way different, even if they share the same scale notes.
However, if you’re modulating between closely-related same-mode keys, such as C major to G major, it’s easy to lose the sense of tonality because the two keys share not only the same mode, but also most of the same chords and most of the same scale notes. So, if the harmony and melody don’t clearly emphasize the key, the brain asks itself, “Which key am I in, G major or C major?” and wanders off in confusion to find a better song.
Modulating to a remote key stands out to a greater degree than modulating to a nearby key. Remote keys have few chords and scale notes in common (for example, the key of D major and the key of C minor). Your listener’s brain senses fresh new harmonic territory and stays interested.
Here are some modulation ways and means.