Which term describes the move from one key to another within a musical work?

Which term describes the move from one key to another within a musical work?

• A. Unison
• B. Accompaniment
• C. Modulation
• D. Leap

Answer: (C)

In tonal music, changing the tonal center from one key to another is modulation. It marks a shift in the home key the piece is centered on, often through pivot chords that belong to both keys or through a progression that leads convincingly into the new key. This is different from a leap, which is a large melodic jump within a single line, or from unison, where voices sing the same pitch, or from accompaniment, which is the supportive background texture. So moving the piece into a new key center—that’s modulation. For example, a section that settles in G major while the piece began in C major demonstrates modulation by establishing a new key center.

In tonal music, changing the tonal center from one key to another is modulation. It marks a shift in the home key the piece is centered on, often through pivot chords that belong to both keys or through a progression that leads convincingly into the new key. This is different from a leap, which is a large melodic jump within a single line, or from unison, where voices sing the same pitch, or from accompaniment, which is the supportive background texture. So moving the piece into a new key center—that’s modulation. For example, a section that settles in G major while the piece began in C major demonstrates modulation by establishing a new key center.