Hi I've got a grade five exam on the 23rd October (wish me luck ) and I need help with something and I would be soooooo happy if you could help! You know how in exams the general theory and stuff, how do you work out the key changes in pieces? Like B minor...then key change to D major... etc. how do you work it out???????????????????
Thankyouu so so so much!
xx
Please help guys I need your help!
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I am not exactly sure how to explain it, but I believe that the key changes (if staying in the same signature **b natural minor to d major have the same key signature, but a different tonic**) it all revolves around the tonic that the piece revolves around........ I think. Also, it might not really be changing key, but changing mode(S) (like dorian, ionian, mixolydian etc.) Theory isnt my strong point, but I will try to help if you have more questions.
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i think this individual is wanting to know how to tell when a key changes within a piece ( keeping the same key signature, but moving the melody up or down, to and from a major/minor key). I think this is what they are asking, because sometimes I have noticed that a melody will move upward, and will change from a minor key, to a major key without changing the keysignature (It would slightly change the melody, but would just make it a bit modal but essentially the same melody with a developement).
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So are you talking about modulation within a sequence? I'm still not entirely sure I understand.
If you're talking about just normal modulation, and how to find the spot where a piece modulates from b minor to D Major, you would generally look at the harmonies presented. I would find the first instance where the piece is clearly in the new key (such as a dominant-tonic cadence to a D Major chord) and then look at the chord before the cadence, which acts as a transitional "pivot" chord to the new key.
I don't know if that helps in any way whatsoever, but I tried haha.
If you're talking about just normal modulation, and how to find the spot where a piece modulates from b minor to D Major, you would generally look at the harmonies presented. I would find the first instance where the piece is clearly in the new key (such as a dominant-tonic cadence to a D Major chord) and then look at the chord before the cadence, which acts as a transitional "pivot" chord to the new key.
I don't know if that helps in any way whatsoever, but I tried haha.