BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
10144 / 18210 · Workshop 84 — Modulation Architecture: Pivot Chords, Direct Modulation, Common-Tone Modulation, Sequential Modulation, and Making Key Changes Feel Inevitable← prev⊞ allnext →

84.3Level 1 — semitone lift

Play:

C major section.

Then start:

D♭ major.

Notice how dramatic a one-semitone root change feels.

This is because nearly every pitch shifts.

It is harmonically close in absolute distance yet functionally very distant.