Modulating With Parallel Chains

Another method that one can use is doing the Parallel ii-V7-I

Modulating w/ Parallel ii-V-I Chains

ii- V Chains

Some tunes chain ii-V progressions then resolve to I chord. Any ii-V’s can be used. They work well because of the strong movement (up a 4th) of each ii-V. The example below chains several ii- V’s. It begins with a ii-V in the key of C Major, adds a ii-V in Db
Major, ends with ii- V- I in E Major.

Dm7 G7 | Ebm7 Ab7 |F#m7 B7 | EMa7
(ii - V in C -------) (ii - V in Db --) (ii- V -I in E ----------)

You can also simplify ii-V by playing only I or ii scale across both chords.

Parallel ii- V

Like ii-V-I chains, ii-V’s often move up or down by a constant interval, creating a parallel movement.

Chain Interval Example
1/2-step up Dm7- G7, Ebm7- Ab7
1/2-step down Dm7- G7, C#m7- F#7 (the V and ii is an augmented 4th apart)
1-step up Dm7- G7, Em7- A7
1-step down Dm7- G7, Cm7- F7 (circle of fourths)
4th up Dm7-G7, Gm7-C7 (the V and ii are on the same pitch)

Modulating with Parallel V-I Chains

Minor ii-V and V-i Chains

Minor ii-V progressions can be chained together to modulate. The example below modulates from C minor to Db minor to E minor. The ii chords are m7-5 in quality. This gives the feeling of minor ii-V progressions, even though the minor i chord is not actually played.

Dm7-5 G7-9| Ebm7-5 Ab7+9 | F#m7-5 B7-9| Em7
(ii- V in C min) (ii-V in Db minor) (ii-V-i in E minor -----)

Modulating with minor ii-V chains

Minor V-i progressions can also be chained together to modulate to other keys. The example below modulates from C minor to F# minor to Bb minor.

Dm7-5 G7-9 | Cm7 C#7+9 | F#m7 F7 | Bbm7
(ii- V- i in C minor ----) (V- i in F# min) (V- i in Bb minor--)
....................................... ...........................

Using Minor ii-V and V-i Chains

1) A V chord can resolve to a new I chord by moving down a half step, or up or down an augmented 4th.

2) A V chord can also resolve to a substitute I chord, such as the vi or iii.

3) ii- V- I progressions can be chained together to modulate to another key. The interval between each progression can be random or parallel.

4) ii-V progressions and V-I progressions can be chained together to modulate to another key.

5) V-I progressions usually start in an even-numbered position (halfway through a bar if there are two chords per bar, or on an even-numbered bar if one chord per bar).

6) Consecutive major, minor, or dominant chords can be used to modulate quickly.


* Other Resources on Modulation:


http://ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2008/09/modulation-progression.html


http://ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2008/11/minor-chord-progressions.html


http://ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2008/11/harmony-progressions.html



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