Modulation using a Pivot Note - Music Theory

You may be familiar with modulating to a different key using a pivot chord but can you modulate using a pivot note? Use this modulation technique to modulate to more extreme keys. When Baroque composers first ventured into the realms of modulation they used pivot chords i.e. a chord that belonged both to the key they were leaving and to the key they were joining. This gave them a smooth transition from one key to another and served musicians well during the Baroque and Classical periods. By the 19th century there was a desire to be more radical in modulation by moving to more extreme keys rather than simply to nearby keys. The problem encountered was that there were no pivot chords linking keys that were far apart so composers alighted on the idea of using single pivot notes. This music theory lesson explains and illustrates the technique and having watched it you will be able to modulate to any key you wish by learning how to make effective use of pivot notes. It’s a real liberation.

🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to modulation using a pivot note
1:59 - Pivot chords vs pivot notes
3:23 - Using a pivot note to change key
4:41 - Using a different pivot note to move keys

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[Llamas-befc]

This channel is so useful for compositon. Whenever I type a question about music theory that might not be too covered, expecting no video on it, instead I am greeted with these amazing videos and your unique and incredibly helpful method of teaching. Thank you.

[armandherera]

Another great video! The channel has good explanations, visuals, and audio demonstrations.

[Death.ByShred]

Great stuff - short, concise, practical - great primers.

[brucelyons]

That was wonderful! Excellent explanation and examples. Thank you!

[NbaHighlightsUnique]

Thank you for your videos. You explained the topics well and help me a lot in my studying.

[thomasvervoort]

Thank you so much, your videos are truly inspiring to me!

[jonascarrillo]

OMFG, this is so powerful. I´m trying it now. Thanks a lot for the video and your wonderful explanation.

[ChaeTDC]

I am actually learning the piano at home and I find your videos really useful for my practice 😃

[companyomidayendeh]

you are the best music theory teacher.

[Silks]

Seems like a very straightforward explanation of why chromatic mediants work

[yawfrimpongcoleman]

Am I the only one who enjoys the way he plays?
By the way your lessons are wonderful

[gustavo_rsa]

thank you this was super helpful. definitely learned something new

[Opus]

wow, thank you very much. This is mind blowing technique....

[NidusFormicarum]

This was sometimes done earlier as well- especially in the development section of sonata form. However, they only used the very distant keys as excursions so you are not really having the feeling of being there permenently, but it is more to enrich or color the key we are in.

[soxxy]

Hi, just wanted to say thanks for your work... Helps with studying Schoenberg ;)

[rodrigozambranoguitarra]

nailed it, Mater, thanks from Venezuela!!!

[marikabodnar]

I just got my keyboard back, that is not all the problem, I also cannot move my fingers freely. It is being taken care, of that too. Then, I would like to study Music Theory. At that time I will get back with to you. I had music theory before, but that has been a long of a time. Thank you.

[MyOwnWayMusic]

Thank you, watching now.. this may be the answer to my question.. David

[bacholog]

Thank you very much for useful video and such great channel