Lotus Music The Harmonizer, User Manual And Theory Manual

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C
E
D A
D<
A <
B <
B <
E<
Pivot Chord Modulation
V
(dom)
< VI < VII < III
IVm VIm IIIm IIm
II
[
Vm
IV
VII
[
major
major key
minor key
dim
minor
F G
3
Key Indicator
1 Pivot Chord
3
Key
2
Chord Family
4
Chord Degree
4
Chord Degree
Pivot Chord Modulation
Modulation refers to the changing of the tonal center in a piece of music. While modula-
tion can be achieved by simply introducing chords and notes from another key, a subtler
way is by pivot chord modulation. This type of modulation works by using a chord that is
shared by two keys to “pivot” from one key to the other.
For example, in the key of C major the I, VIm, IIm, V7 chord progression (C, Am, Dm,
and Gdom7) establishes the tonal center at C. However, since Am is also the IIm chord
in the key of G, we could pivot into this key. Often the V chord of the new key follows the
pivot chord to announce the new tonal center.
Below is a chord progression that modulates from the key of C major to G major using
Am7 as a pivot chord.
1. Pivot Chord
This window indicates the root of the chord which is used to pivot from one key
to the other.
2. Chord Family
This indicates whether the pivot chord is major, minor, or diminished. It also
shows which branch to follow for information.
Cmaj7 Cmaj7 Am7 Am7 Ddom7 G
IIm V I
Dm7 Gdom7
I I VIm VIm
C major
G major
IIm V
{
{
1.
Pivot Chord
2.
Chord Family
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