Unlock the Secret to Songwriting: Master Key Changes That Transform Your Music Instantly
A great recent example of how to compose songs with these types of key changes is the song “Black Parade” by the band My Chemical Romance. The last double chorus changes keys right in the middle from the key of G major up a whole step to the key of A major.
Half-Step Modulations: If we create a closer key change, from the key of C major to Db major for instance, the key will actually, and surprisingly, be moving further away. (note: the symbol for flat in music is b, which means lower in pitch).
One would assume that a half-step key change would be closer than a whole-step key change, but if we compare the scales we see a very different scenario. Again, just comparing letters of the scale and not the chord qualities, the key of C major will have a C D E F G A B C pitches in its scales, whereas the key of D flat will have a Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db. The only common tones in the two scales are C and F, with five notes that are completely different between the two keys.
