How to Identify Key Changes in Music - Music Theory

We examine the score of a piece of music that contains a number of modulations. This music theory lesson explains how to identify the key changes and examines how they come about. This video will empower composers to embrace key changes in their writing and will show performers how to consider the impact of key changes on their interpretations.

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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to how to identify key changes in music
1:52 - Playing the example piece
2:27 - What's the home key?
4:30 - Identifying the first key change
6:31 - Pivot chords clues
7:36 - Interpreting key changes as a performer
8:32 - Further key changes
15:29 - Conclusion

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[MusicMattersGB]

Learn Music Online - Check out our courses here!

[lawrencetaylor]

You are showing why you are on a very small pedestal of the best music theory teachers on the Tubes. Someone that is a beginner (like I was two years ago) can enjoy this video, and have a clear path of what to study in case the material is new. You add just the right amount of humour, and in fact some of your videos are real gems. And overall anyone can only improve their musical knowledge, which is the goal of a music theory video.
You and Alex are very special people and have earned the respect of hundreds of thousands of people.
Merci beaucoup.

[jayducharme]

Once again, you've created a lesson that's perfect for where I'm at. This is a big help. Thank you.

[holacrayola]

You are the best music teacher! Love your videos, always great explanation and super helpful. Thank you so much Gareth ❤

[davidwhite]

Love these analyses. Thank you, Gareth!

[YangLi-gf]

Wow! Finally, someone explains this in a clear and precise way! This was an excellent lesson!

[daveking-sandbox]

Concerning voice leading, have you done a video on converting a three voice triadic piece into four voices? Which voices can be doubled and which should be avoided. That would be interesting to see.

[danielo]

Mind blowing lesson again. Thank you. Any chance you'd deep dive on commonly used pivot chord sequences /tricks / cliches? The key change stuff is fascinating and mind boggling still for me but your videos clear the fog in a mighty fashion!

[alitajvidi]

I found this extremely helpful. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I look forward to purchasing some of MMCourse's courses in the near future.

[superblondeDotOrg]

Amazingly concise lesson.
You have merch now yet what I am really looking for in merch is a "musician's slide rule" which shows keys, modes (not just major and minor), pivot chords, etc, by sliding the apparatus, looking at the notes in the 'sliding window', etc. Various types of these exist throughout history, sometimes circular using rotating discs, sometimes as a sliding ruler, and some music vendors today try to sell a cheap type which are not popular because they aren't as useful as they could be. There should be a solid "slide rule" type tool somewhere on the market but there isn't one.

[AdeleSmith]

Well explained, Gareth. I love being in Maestros, so useful.

[Dave-nmuk]

Very good. One additional thing [or actually a couple] is to note that the G sharp is the leading note in A major, while the A sharp is the leading tone in B [major or minor]. The chord in bar 8 is a G major chord - and in bar 7 there appears to be a D7 chord - so V7-I in G major - circle of 5ths progression through the cadence. The G major chord is V in D, so as explained that also functions as a pivot chord so that no further changes are needed to return to I in D at the end.

Thanks for this one.

[MartinUKable]

Brilliant video. Thank you, I've learnt so much from your teaching. A question - what would you call the chord at 12:36 (the one with the A sharp in it)? Thank you again, Martin

[ajadrew]

Insightful for myself so thankyou! I heard & identified the changes & once again reminded myself that I have the perfect tools on either side of my head - aka Ears!

[johnmac]

Hi Gareth, I find it easier to analyse functional harmony in chords. In bar 5, would I be right in saying it goes from D to A# dim to Bm, and would that dim chord function as a dominant, resolving to the Bm?

[pabloantonio]

so for little changes no need to specify the key signature change on the stave?... when would you specify they key signature change explicitly on the stave indicating sharps or flats? let's say the change last for many measures, not only a few... any convention on that matter? Thanks

[YasmeenKauserZiaudeen]

I have came across a F major piece where the First chord is F major with a melody note A, The second chord is Bb minor chord with a melody Note Db followed by F major chord. What kind of modulation is this?

[patrickomalley]

Could the 3rd beat of bar 3 and bar 4 not be a secondary dominant rather than key change

[HeavenEternal]

I’m Christian. I don’t know if you are Christian too Music Matters but if not I hope that the Godhead whom created everyone and everything works powerfully in your life to change you into a believer in Christ the way only they know how. However if you are Christian I praise the Lord of Lords And King of Kings!
Amen and Amen. 🙏 ❤