Electronic Musician

Enharmonic modulation

The official definition of enharmonic modulation goes something like this: a modulation in which a chord resolves according to the function of its harmonic equivalent. Let’s try and translate this into something more digestible that you just might be able to use in the real world…

First off, the term ‘modulation’ is just music theory-speak for ‘key change’, so all this really means is that the sense of home shifts from one key to another, often using a ‘pivot’ chord that’s common to both keys. A key change usually shows a shift in emotion: for example, raising your outro section a semitone for an uplifting feel. But what about that enharmonic bit?

Well, enharmonic chords are chords that use the same notes spelled differently using either sharps or flats, usually when

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