Modulation
The process of changing from one key to another within a piece
Category
keys
Pronunciation
mod-yoo-LAY-shun
Origin
Latin
Length
101 words · 1 min read
About Modulation
Modulation is one of the most powerful tools in a composer's arsenal. It creates large-scale tonal contrast and drama.
More keys terms
Dominant
View all keysterms →The fifth degree of a scale and the second most important tonal centre after the tonic.
Leading noteThe seventh degree of a major or harmonic minor scale, a semitone below the tonic.
DiatonicPertaining to the seven notes of a major or natural minor scale without chromatic alteration.
Relative keyA major and minor key that share the same key signature but have different tonics.
Parallel KeyA major and minor key that share the same tonic note but have different key signatures, such as C major and C minor.
Synonyms
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v1 · 09/04/2026Browse all terms →