Types of key changes in pop/rock?

[cyanogen]

I know about the circle of fifths, relative major/minor, common chord modulation, trucker's gearshift, etc. What are some others used in popular music? I'm asking because last night I was working on a song that switched from C minor to Eb minor. (I realize that's probably not the greatest idea, since it goes from three flats to six flats.)

[Ogg Vorbis]

I know about the circle of fifths, relative major/minor, common chord modulation, trucker's gearshift, etc. What are some others used in popular music? I'm asking because last night I was working on a song that switched from C minor to Eb minor. (I realize that's probably not the greatest idea, since it goes from three flats to six flats.)

Well, you see just about everything. All the fakebooks I've cruised through and transcriptions tell me that "anything goes." The other day I found a song that went down a half-step the final x thru!

Pop/rock modulations seem to exist mostly to "freshen" the sound, rather than to serve as development of material. Therefore, if your key change sounds "fresh" then I'd say mission accomplished.

[jancivil]

I know about the circle of fifths, relative major/minor, common chord modulation, trucker's gearshift, etc. What are some others used in popular music? I'm asking because last night I was working on a song that switched from C minor to Eb minor. (I realize that's probably not the greatest idea, since it goes from three flats to six flats.)

That's a perfectly normative pop-rock key change, up a minor third in parallel. If it sounds good, use it.

[cyanogen]

Down half a step?! Ok, that's a new one to me (and not one I'd try, for fear of creating a musical trainwreck). I have a slightly odd way of writing. I get bored with the traditional ABAB structure, so I've been writing with an ABCD structure instead. It won't win me any popularity contests, but that's...ok. *Stuart Smalley voice*

[Kriminal]

I know about the circle of fifths, relative major/minor, common chord modulation, trucker's gearshift, etc. What are some others used in popular music? I'm asking because last night I was working on a song that switched from C minor to Eb minor. (I realize that's probably not the greatest idea, since it goes from three flats to six flats.)

have you tried the Malayian Half Swing, or maybe the Portuguese Octave Sling?

these are very usefull if you want to make music no-one will listen to.

(btw, i know a bloke who can turn 3 flats into 6 flats...double rent, know what i mean )

[cyanogen]

I know about the circle of fifths, relative major/minor, common chord modulation, trucker's gearshift, etc. What are some others used in popular music? I'm asking because last night I was working on a song that switched from C minor to Eb minor. (I realize that's probably not the greatest idea, since it goes from three flats to six flats.)

have you tried the Malayian Half Swing, or maybe the Portuguese Octave Sling?

these are very usefull if you want to make music no-one will listen to.

(btw, i know a bloke who can turn 3 flats into 6 flats...double rent, know what i mean )

Hm. I've never heard of either. I'm starting to wonder if they even exist.

Hee. Maybe I should write some self-help book. I could call it "How to Change Your Flats and B(e) Sharp." Ok, stop groaning!

[cyanogen]

I know about the circle of fifths, relative major/minor, common chord modulation, trucker's gearshift, etc. What are some others used in popular music? I'm asking because last night I was working on a song that switched from C minor to Eb minor. (I realize that's probably not the greatest idea, since it goes from three flats to six flats.)

That's a perfectly normative pop-rock key change, up a minor third in parallel. If it sounds good, use it.

I had hoped that was the case. Thanks!

[llatham]

I know about the circle of fifths, relative major/minor, common chord modulation, trucker's gearshift, etc. What are some others used in popular music? I'm asking because last night I was working on a song that switched from C minor to Eb minor. (I realize that's probably not the greatest idea, since it goes from three flats to six flats.)

I'll echo the comments of others:

Firstly, by far, the most common sort of modulation is from Major to the Relative Minor and vice versa. In fact, rock and pop songs in many cases treat the two as "one dual key" where the song is in G/Em, with no clear winner.

I'd say that pop/rock - often in specifically seeking ways to avoid sounding "too classical" - relies far less on 5th related modulations than other styles. You certainly find them, especially in songs alluding to earlier or different styles, but on the whole, they seem to be "reserved for special effect".

"Take it Easy" by The Eagles modulates a 4th/5th at the end - that's pretty rare (and of course in this case, effective because of it's comparative rarity).

By far, I'd say the real next most common is modulation up or down by a certain interval, and most commonly a 2nd, and by far as a direct modulation. The most common I would bet would be up by second."I've Seen All Good People" by Yes continually modulates down a step at each restatement of the final chorus, as the song fades out - and that's definitely pretty unusual (modulation down is rarer, and continuing to do is rarer still). These again are direct modulations.

I'm not familiar with songs that modulate up or down a third, or a tritone, or anything like that, but I'm sure in goth/death metal and onther sort of "non-mainstream" styles there are certain characterstics they employ.

But as others said, these modulations seem to be more for "effect" than having any sort of structural/formal significance.

For example, I'd bet that 90 percent of modulations up by step are at the end of a pop song - especailly in a repeat of a final chorus.

And I think players/songwriters try to avoid anything "too classical" unless that's the effect they're going for.

So, there are no "rules" but there are some types that are more common that others. Still, one of the basic tenets of Rock at least is to "break the rules" and "defy convention" so once a "common" or "norm" is established, writers are quick to try something else.

Do what sounds good - if you're using it to make repeated material sound "fresh", make sure the modulation you employ does just that. If you're doing it for some sort of formal consideration, make sure it accomplishes that, etc.

Best

[jancivil]

Often, a real effective key change for a pop and/or rock tune is to think 'plagally' (which I don't mean in any correct historical idiom btw), like >>> IV of IV, IV. EG: At a bridge or chorus juncture, go to like bVII.
IE: Bb after you've done C for a minute.

And you can prepare this a few ways, or just abruptly go.