@@MusicMattersGB I understand this point. But have you an example of a chord progression? Or do you mean having the pivot chord as the top note of both chords …for example cmaj and Abmaj to modulate?
This channel is so useful for compositon. Whenever I type a question about music theory that might not be too covered, expecting no video on it, instead I am greeted with these amazing videos and your unique and incredibly helpful method of teaching. Thank you.
This was sometimes done earlier as well- especially in the development section of sonata form. However, they only used the very distant keys as excursions so you are not really having the feeling of being there permenently, but it is more to enrich or color the key we are in.
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A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ua-cam.com/channels/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQg.htmljoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.
Gareth, I see in many pieces of sheet music where a chord is played that’s not in the key signature. It could be the key of C but I’ll see a chord from a different key but it’s not a key change. It still stays in C.
Question: it's always the fourth ? If one would want to replicatet the example but in Fb, the fourth of it would be Bb and the 3rd, counting backwards would be D, so Fb D Bb, B being the 4th note of F. Im not sure of this, could we also use whatever note we wanted from a minor or major scale or key? So instead of only considering the 4th note, maybe the 3rd note? So again following the same example I did if I wanted to go from Fb to A, I count 3 semi-tones starting from Fb, so Fb D A ?
Really clear and useful. I've got a question, slightly off-topic, due to the word 'pivot'... Q) I've seen 2 different definitions of "pivot arpeggios" and don't know which is correct: 1. Shift 1 note in the arpeggio down or up by an octave then continue with arpeggio notes which are now an octave lower or higher, OR 2. The pivot is when an arpeggio changes direction i.e. an ascending arpeggio is followed by a descending arpeggio (does this have a name if not an arpeggio pivot?) Any tips would be greatly appreciated
The pivot arpeggio is a concept explored by Guitarists working figures around a particular arpeggio. This is a different concept from the pivot chord, which is a chord common to two keys that enables a modulation.
@@MusicMattersGB I understand the pivot chord and note (I watched your video). I've seen this pivot arpeggio mentioned on various websites, mostly jazz, but for piano too. Just wonder whether it's an actual term or just made up
@@MusicMattersGB good, thanks 😊 I ask as I'm in the process of creating a guitar website, UA-cam channel plus various books. Don't worry, I am in no way competition to your great channel, but I'd like to draw from your knowledge for some of these ventures as your information is top quality.
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Does the pivot note have to be the highest note in the chord voicing and/or the note in the melody? To me, the pivot note seemed to be the highest note before the key change. Thanks for the lesson?
I just got my keyboard back, that is not all the problem, I also cannot move my fingers freely. It is being taken care, of that too. Then, I would like to study Music Theory. At that time I will get back with to you. I had music theory before, but that has been a long of a time. Thank you.
I have a very controversial question. Is modulation a change in key or a change in tonic or both? For example Cmajor - Cminor or even to a parallel mode. The American literature seems to say no but gives zero reasoning, whereas in Europe modulation has always been taught and talked about as a change of key, tonic or tonal centre. A tonal centre includes the chord built on the tonic and you can build different I chords depending on the scale so changing between those I chords infers a change of tonal centre (and key) so it must be a modulation no? . The Americans didn't invent tonal harmony so I really don't think they have any say in it anyway
Modulation is a change of key rather than a change of tonic. If it moves from C major to C minor that’s a modulation because the key has changed. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.
@@MusicMattersGB Thank you very much for your answer. If you want a headache see Koskta/Payne's Tonal Harmony and Clendinning/Marvin's Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis (US authors), they say key change isn't modulation, only changing tonic. Walter Piston's Harmony (also US) says that "a change of key is a change of tonal centre" (so tonic too right?) and that a change in major to minor is a change in modality, not tonality, nonsense I know, which is exactly, why I declined a phd
That is one way of looking at it. The most common way I believe is to think of Ab major as the bvi chord in C major borrowed from the Cminor key which then gives you a pivot chord to go to anything in that area (Bb, Eb and Ab). Your idea of using a pivot note is good but you could go to Ab from C major even if there was no pivot note and it would sound ok. Perhaps it is true that it would sound smoother if there was a pivot note. Take C > Em > Ab > G... Em and Ab have no common notes :)
In A flat major in the root position there are A flat and E flat so why is it called a pivot chord? Isn't in the C major there are no A flat n E flat? Could u please explain it? 😅
When you want to move from one key to another look for a pivot chord ie a chord that is common to the key you are leaving and to the key you are joining eg going from C major to Bb major FAC is an example of a pivot chord. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including our 25 online courses and access to our Maestros programme.
Greetings. Thank you for your videos! I am looking for the proper term for a chord that requires modulation into a new key to resolve. That is, if I understand correctly, a pivot chord is simply a common chord shared by two keys enabling you to sensibly transition from the one key to the other; but sometimes it is possible to create harmonic tensions such that you cannot stay in the original key without it sounding terrible and not resolving but can only resolve the dissonances by changing to a new key. Is there a specific term for such a chord or for this type of modulation? I feel like there is but I can't remember it. Apologies if this description is riddled with confusions. It has been a long time since I studied any music theory, and even when I did I wasn't exactly Mozart. Thanks!
It’s a pleasure. You’re probably talking about resolution chords ie after the pivot chord use accidentals that belong to the new key then resolve by using a cadence in the new key.
I am quite confused because you provided only tonal changes from degree one... C to Ab and C to E Do you suggest that moving to another key in this case is better when starting from degree one or could we also modulate with this technic starting from other degrees from C major with same smoothness?
Thanks so much for this video! I would also really love to see more tutorial uploads on repertoire pieces on your website, as so far only Bach's prelude & fugue in f# minor and Beethoven's pathetique sonata are available. I think this would make a valuable addition to those of us who are thinking of giving the diploma exams beyond grade 8! Now that there's a fugue and sonata upload, perhaps something from the romantic/late romantic/impressionist eras? Just some of my thoughts, of course! Cheers.
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@@MusicMattersGB I understand this point. But have you an example of a chord progression? Or do you mean having the pivot chord as the top note of both chords …for example cmaj and Abmaj to modulate?
If you want to modulate from C major to Ab major use the C as a pivot note ie use chord I in C major followed by chord I in Ab major
This channel is so useful for compositon. Whenever I type a question about music theory that might not be too covered, expecting no video on it, instead I am greeted with these amazing videos and your unique and incredibly helpful method of teaching. Thank you.
That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.
Another great video! The channel has good explanations, visuals, and audio demonstrations.
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Great stuff - short, concise, practical - great primers.
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That was wonderful! Excellent explanation and examples. Thank you!
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Thank you for your videos. You explained the topics well and help me a lot in my studying.
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Thank you so much, your videos are truly inspiring to me!
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Merci!
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I am actually learning the piano at home and I find your videos really useful for my practice 😃
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OMFG, this is so powerful. I´m trying it now. Thanks a lot for the video and your wonderful explanation.
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Seems like a very straightforward explanation of why chromatic mediants work
😀
This was sometimes done earlier as well- especially in the development section of sonata form. However, they only used the very distant keys as excursions so you are not really having the feeling of being there permenently, but it is more to enrich or color the key we are in.
Absolutely
Am I the only one who enjoys the way he plays?
By the way your lessons are wonderful
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You are a fantastic teacher.
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wow, thank you very much. This is mind blowing technique....
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thank you this was super helpful. definitely learned something new
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Presumably if one uses an extended chord such as a 9th 11th or 13th then the number of pivot note modulation options become even greater.
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Nice simple explanation
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Gareth, I see in many pieces of sheet music where a chord is played that’s not in the key signature. It could be the key of C but I’ll see a chord from a different key but it’s not a key change. It still stays in C.
It may well be a chromatic chord.
@@MusicMattersGB thank you. Another question. Would a note in the melody be a note from the chromatic chord?
It could easily be because melody and harmony have to belong to each other.
Question: it's always the fourth ? If one would want to replicatet the example but in Fb, the fourth of it would be Bb and the 3rd, counting backwards would be D, so Fb D Bb, B being the 4th note of F. Im not sure of this, could we also use whatever note we wanted from a minor or major scale or key? So instead of only considering the 4th note, maybe the 3rd note? So again following the same example I did if I wanted to go from Fb to A, I count 3 semi-tones starting from Fb, so Fb D A ?
You can use any pivot note - not just the 4th. Just find a note common to two keys.
@@MusicMattersGB Thanks for replying sir!
😀
could you use this method to make a bridge section in a song thanks in advance
It’s certainly a possibility
How did you just play those melodies with chords? What kind of practice do I need to do to achieve that?
See our keyboard harmony course at www.mmcourses.co.uk
It will equip you to do this.
Clear explanation great
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Does the pivot note has to be from the ending chord (1st degree) in the starting key?
No. Any chord that belongs to both keys will work
Thank you for your videos
A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more
Really clear and useful.
I've got a question, slightly off-topic, due to the word 'pivot'...
Q) I've seen 2 different definitions of "pivot arpeggios" and don't know which is correct:
1. Shift 1 note in the arpeggio down or up by an octave then continue with arpeggio notes which are now an octave lower or higher, OR
2. The pivot is when an arpeggio changes direction i.e. an ascending arpeggio is followed by a descending arpeggio (does this have a name if not an arpeggio pivot?)
Any tips would be greatly appreciated
The pivot arpeggio is a concept explored by Guitarists working figures around a particular arpeggio. This is a different concept from the pivot chord, which is a chord common to two keys that enables a modulation.
@@MusicMattersGB I understand the pivot chord and note (I watched your video). I've seen this pivot arpeggio mentioned on various websites, mostly jazz, but for piano too. Just wonder whether it's an actual term or just made up
It’s not really an official term in the canon of music theory but it’s certainly a term used in jazz and in popular styles.
@@MusicMattersGB good, thanks 😊
I ask as I'm in the process of creating a guitar website, UA-cam channel plus various books. Don't worry, I am in no way competition to your great channel, but I'd like to draw from your knowledge for some of these ventures as your information is top quality.
That’s kind. Good luck with your project. A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ua-cam.com/channels/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQg.htmljoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.
but what the progression of the pivot note from c-ab?
You can use C as a pivot note to modulate from C to Ab
Does the pivot note have to be the highest note in the chord voicing and/or the note in the melody? To me, the pivot note seemed to be the highest note before the key change. Thanks for the lesson?
It doesn’t have to be the highest note
nailed it, Mater, thanks from Venezuela!!!
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Thank you so much for the video
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Hi, just wanted to say thanks for your work... Helps with studying Schoenberg ;)
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Thank you, watching now.. this may be the answer to my question.. David
Brilliant. Enjoy!
I just got my keyboard back, that is not all the problem, I also cannot move my fingers freely. It is being taken care, of that too. Then, I would like to study Music Theory. At that time I will get back with to you. I had music theory before, but that has been a long of a time. Thank you.
Good luck getting sorted. You’ll find our Theory courses very helpful. Enjoy. www.mmcourses.co.uk
I have a very controversial question. Is modulation a change in key or a change in tonic or both? For example Cmajor - Cminor or even to a parallel mode. The American literature seems to say no but gives zero reasoning, whereas in Europe modulation has always been taught and talked about as a change of key, tonic or tonal centre. A tonal centre includes the chord built on the tonic and you can build different I chords depending on the scale so changing between those I chords infers a change of tonal centre (and key) so it must be a modulation no? . The Americans didn't invent tonal harmony so I really don't think they have any say in it anyway
Modulation is a change of key rather than a change of tonic. If it moves from C major to C minor that’s a modulation because the key has changed. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.
@@MusicMattersGB Thank you very much for your answer. If you want a headache see Koskta/Payne's Tonal Harmony and Clendinning/Marvin's Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis (US authors), they say key change isn't modulation, only changing tonic. Walter Piston's Harmony (also US) says that "a change of key is a change of tonal centre" (so tonic too right?) and that a change in major to minor is a change in modality, not tonality, nonsense I know, which is exactly, why I declined a phd
Absolutely!
That is one way of looking at it. The most common way I believe is to think of Ab major as the bvi chord in C major borrowed from the Cminor key which then gives you a pivot chord to go to anything in that area (Bb, Eb and Ab). Your idea of using a pivot note is good but you could go to Ab from C major even if there was no pivot note and it would sound ok. Perhaps it is true that it would sound smoother if there was a pivot note. Take C > Em > Ab > G... Em and Ab have no common notes :)
Absolutely. Of course Ab is the Neapolitan chord in G and Em is the relative minor of G major so there’s a harmonic logic in your progression.
In A flat major in the root position there are A flat and E flat so why is it called a pivot chord? Isn't in the C major there are no A flat n E flat? Could u please explain it? 😅
It’s not a pivot chord in that instance. A pivot chord is common to the key you’re leaving and the key you’re joining.
Thank you for share ❤️
A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Can this technique be considered as making use of voicing, please?
It’s not quite the same as voicing but any note that sits in common between one chord and the next will smooth the transition.
@@MusicMattersGB Thank you! Get it
😀Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Thank you
Thanks for your support
Question pls in case we want to move to B flat the tonic chord is B flat D and F with no C E G in the chord. What do we do ? Thanks as always
When you want to move from one key to another look for a pivot chord ie a chord that is common to the key you are leaving and to the key you are joining eg going from C major to Bb major FAC is an example of a pivot chord. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including our 25 online courses and access to our Maestros programme.
Greetings. Thank you for your videos! I am looking for the proper term for a chord that requires modulation into a new key to resolve. That is, if I understand correctly, a pivot chord is simply a common chord shared by two keys enabling you to sensibly transition from the one key to the other; but sometimes it is possible to create harmonic tensions such that you cannot stay in the original key without it sounding terrible and not resolving but can only resolve the dissonances by changing to a new key. Is there a specific term for such a chord or for this type of modulation? I feel like there is but I can't remember it. Apologies if this description is riddled with confusions. It has been a long time since I studied any music theory, and even when I did I wasn't exactly Mozart. Thanks!
It’s a pleasure. You’re probably talking about resolution chords ie after the pivot chord use accidentals that belong to the new key then resolve by using a cadence in the new key.
Both of your examples had the pivot note in the melody, is that the standard way of using a pivot note?
Often that’s the case but doesn’t have to be.
Wow.. Tysm
That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
I am quite confused because you provided only tonal changes from degree one... C to Ab and C to E
Do you suggest that moving to another key in this case is better when starting from degree one or could we also modulate with this technic starting from other degrees from C major with same smoothness?
That’s certainly possible
Thank you very much for useful video and such great channel
A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.
Thanks so much for this video! I would also really love to see more tutorial uploads on repertoire pieces on your website, as so far only Bach's prelude & fugue in f# minor and Beethoven's pathetique sonata are available. I think this would make a valuable addition to those of us who are thinking of giving the diploma exams beyond grade 8! Now that there's a fugue and sonata upload, perhaps something from the romantic/late romantic/impressionist eras? Just some of my thoughts, of course! Cheers.
That’s a perfectly reasonable request. Will put it on the list.
@@MusicMattersGB Glad to hear that! Looking forward to it.
😀
Good lesson! Any chance how to write a lullaby, for grown ups?
Ok. That’s one to put on the list.
I liked it before watching !!!😍
Great!
A great example of this is Earth Wind and Fire's 'After the Love Has Gone'.
😀
thanks! you always gently bold; ❤️❤️
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so simple even i can understand it.
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sorry, im too shallow in music to learn this now. lost.
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