B6 Composition: Modulation Exercises

1. Including a modulation in the grade six music theory exam composition is usually compulsory if you choose to write which question – writing a complete piece, or writing a complete melody? 
2. True or false: if you write a complete melody with a modulation, you have to finish in the same key the piece started in. 
3. What is a pivot chord? 
4. For each of the following pairs of keys, name the four possible pivot chords by letter name, (e.g. “C major”).
   a. Bb major & F major: 
   b. Ab major and Db major: 
   c. Eb major and C minor: 
   d. C major and G major: 
   e. G# minor and B major: 
   f. E major and A major: 
   g. F# major and D# minor: 
5. After choosing a pivot chord to begin a modulation, which chord progression should you use in order to fix the new key? 
6. Label the following simple melodies following the given example.

• First, state the opening key, above the stave.
• Then, also above the stave, identify the notes which belong to the pivot chord and state the key the piece modulates to.
• Then, below the stave on the marked lines, write the Roman numerals which correspond to the chords in those keys. The pivot chord should be labelled with the chord in both keys, using a slash (/).
• Finally, state whether the modulation was to the dominant, subdominant, relative major or relative minor.

   

Example: modulates to the relative minor

a.

b.

c.

d.