introduction

major and minor

the circle of fifths

ways of modulating

spotting modulations

Pivot chords
One common way of making the modulation from one key to another smoother is to use a chord that is common to both keys as a sort of pivot. In the example below, the A minor triad (the second chord) is vi in C major and i in A minor.

A pivot chord modulation is only possible if the two keys are closely enough related on the circle of fifths (or by relative or parallel minor) to share a common triad.

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