WEEK FIVE
MODULATION
Modulation is the process of passing from one key to another. Most music based on the major and minor scale begins and ends in the same key. However, in the course of the piece, especially long pieces, there are some changes in the key, which are called modulations.
By means of modulations the music can be made more interesting. The return to the original key ensures that the piece is brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
TYPES OF MODULATION
There are different types of modulation namely:
- Implied Modulation
- Gradual Modulation
- Abrupt Modulation
- Partial Modulation
Implied Modulation: This is type of modulation which takes place in a tune when an accidental is not used in the tune which modulates.
Gradual Modulation: Is a change into some key which is the nearest and most natural to the one in which the composition is written.
Abrupt Modulation: This is a change into some distant key.
Partial Modulation: This is a change of key which is on sooner made than it return at once to the original key.
Examples:
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You will observe that the above piece is in C major, and modulate transiently to G major and quickly goes back to the original key C and finished up in the same key.
Exercises
- What is Modulation
- Define the following
- Implied Modulation (b) Partial Modulation (c) Abrupt Modulation
- What is the different between Modulation and Transposition
WEEK SIX
TERMS & SIGNS
Anon ———- unknown
Accidentals —-Sharps, flats, naturals, introduced to a piece of music apart from the signature
Anacrusis—– this is known as an incomplete bar at the beginning of a piece.
Cantata——— Hymn tunes of the early several movement, comprising air, recitatives and chorus
Chromatic scale— A scale which consists of twelve semitones in an octave
Concord ——— a harmonious combination of sounds;
Contralto (alto)— Female voice of low range.
Discord———– a dissonant or inharmonious combination of sounds.
Dynamics——— Degrees of loudness or softness, or volume of sound in music.
Ensemble ——— A group of performers of no fixed number.
Fugue————— A composition in the strict style, in which a subject is proposed by one part and
Answer by other parts, according to certain rules.
Mass ————– A vocal composition performed during the celebration of high mass in the
Roman Catholic Church, and generally accompany by instrument.
Monophonic —– The term of music with a single melody with no harmonic support.
Motet ———— A sacred composition of the anthem style, for several voices.
Open Score —— A Score displaying every part on a separate staff.
Opera ————- A drama set to music.
Oratorio ———- Large scale composition for chorus, vocal soloist, and orchestra, often based on
biblical stories.
Pentatonic Scale – A Scale of 5 notes the fourth and seventh degrees being omitted (tonic Solfa
d r m s l)
Gradually getting louder
Gradually getting softer
(Staccato) ——– Short and detached
———— Repeat from the beginning