Modulation (music) - Common Modulations

Common Modulations

The most common modulations are to closely related keys. V is the most frequent goal and, in minor, III is also a common goal. Modulation to the dominant or the subdominant is relatively simple as they are adjacent steps on the circle of fifths. Modulations to the relative major or minor are also simple, as these keys share all pitches in common. Modulation to distantly related keys is often done smoothly through using chords in successive related keys, such as through the circle of fifths, the entirety of which may be used in either direction:

D - A - E - B - F♯/G♭ - C♯/D♭ - G♯/A♭ - D♯E♭ - A♯/B♭ - F - C - G - D

If a given key were in G Major, the following chart could be used:

From G (which is the given key), a musician would go P5 (a perfect fifth) above G (which is D) and also P5 below G (which is C).

From this, the musician would go to G Major's relative minor which is E minor, and potentially to C Major and D Major's related minor as well... a musician who does not know the related minor for C and D Major may also go BELOW or ABOVE E minor.

By using the relative minor keys one can find the specific key that the key can MODULATE into.

Many musicians use the circle of fifths to find these keys and make similar charts to help with the modulation.