The 2-5-1 Chord Progression in the NEW KEY Starting from a Suitable Point of the Original Key However, it works best on half-step modulations (next immediate key) such as we did in the above example. This 5-5 (new key) technique works whenever and/or wherever you are modulating. For a superior transitioning effect we will play suspended 2 nd chords on the “5 chord” of both keys before finally resolving to the “1 chord” of the new key.įor example, the 1 – 6 – 4 – 5 chord progression below moves from the key of C to C# (Db) as follows:Ĭmaj – Amin – Fmaj – Gmaj > modulates > Abmaj (“5 chord” of new key)ĭbmaj – Bbmin – Gbmaj – Abmaj The 5 – 5 (new key) Technique: I like to refer to this as the 5 – 5 technique because this pattern of modulating quickly takes you from the “5 chord” of the original key to the “5 chord” of the new key, and finally proceeds to the “1 chord” of the new key. In this article, we will examine two methods to modulate smoothly using simple techniques. Having cleared that, it is critically important to note that the art of modulating smoothly while playing is an essential skill that a musician should have in his/her arsenal. Modulation says we are playing in the key of F, however at some point we want to go to the key of F# (new key). Therefore, we transform or transpose everything we did in the key of F to the key of F#. Transposition says we no longer want the song in the key of F, we now want it in the key of F#. In the case of modulation, the chords and scales may not be the same since the concept of modulation simply means to move to another key. In contrast, modulation is the act of transitioning from one key to another while playing a song. When we look at transposition, it literally means taking all chords and scales in a song and playing them in another key. The similarity between the two is the process of “changing keys”. However, before we proceed I would like to point out that while modulation is similar to transposition, there are significant differences between the two.

In this article, we will examine simple tips on modulating smoothly while playing a musical piece.

The definition of modulation is the process of transitioning from one key to another while playing a song.

Modulate a flat to g major