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Unit 15 · Modulation · Lesson 2 of 3

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The smoothest door

A belongs to both . You hear it in the old , then the next reveal it was really part of the new .

C and G share C, Em, G, and Am. Here, Am is vi in C - and then becomes ii in G, followed by D7 → G.

Modulating from C to G

Original example · C major · 4/4

  1. Bar 1
    CI
  2. Bar 2
    FIV
  3. Bar 3
    G7V7
  4. Bar 4
    CI
  5. Bar 5 · now in G major
    Amvi = ii
    The pivot chord: heard as vi in C, reinterpreted as ii in G.
  6. Bar 6
    D7V7
  7. Bar 7
    GI
  • A minor belongs to both keys: vi in C and ii in G. That makes it the pivot.
  • D7 (with F♯) confirms the new key, G major.
Step 1 of 2