22.5: How to Recognize a Key After a Modulation
Look for the following cues when examining music containing modulations:
-
Look for recurring accidentals, then add them to the key signature to determine the new key
- Lowered notes (like flats) usually create 4^ (as do the flats in key signatures)
-
Raised notes (like sharps) often create 7^ , the leading tone
- If there are multiple raised notes, look for the “sharpest of sharps” (in key signature order) to determine which sharp is acting as 7^
- If accidentals are canceled out, they indicate tonicizations or chromatic non-chord tones