Tonicization & Modulation

Tonicization

Tonicization involves entering a new key briefly, but not permanent. In contrast to modulation, there is no authentic cadence (perfect cadence ) during a tonicization that can induce a permanent change of key.


Example of a tonicization:

Modulation

Modulation is the process of changing keys, and key must be changed by using an authentic cadence (perfect cadence )

Example of a modulation:

You should keep in mind that in tonal music, the mains degrees are I, IV and V.
In this example, The beginning is in C Major and next (measure 3 and 4) we have some chords issued from the A minor key, and at the end of this score you will find an authentic cadence (perfect cadence ). This cadence induces the change of key, so there is a modulation.

Modulation, tonicization and the circle of fifths

Most of the time, modulation and tonicization are using closely related keys of the main key that you can find with the circle of fifths:



Learn how to find closely related keys of a given key.