Modulation

Modulation is the act of changing key during a piece of music. It’s used to create contrast, tension, drama, or emotional lift. Modulation can be abrupt (direct modulation), smooth (using pivot chords or melodic shifts), or even temporary (using a secondary or borrowed key). Widely used in classical music, it also appears in pop, soul, jazz, and film scores. A common example is a key change up a semitone in the final chorus for added intensity.