The Minor 3rd key change

[@DavidBennettPiano]

🔑 let me know what your favourite key changes are and perhaps I’ll talk about them in a future video 😊

[@klaxoncow]

All hail the Mighty Algorithm! Always there to ensure that content creators make the videos they didn't really want to make, for an audience that didn't ask for it. Ask a comment section what videos they'd like to see, and they'll say that they most enjoy the ones that the content creator clearly enjoyed making - where their passion is apparent and their presentation genuine. An audience actually likes some variety, which the Algorithm punishes. They like videos where the content creator has clearly taken their time to make something really good - no, can't be having that, publish every day or your ratings will instantly die. Human ingenuity. Always finding a way to masochistically automate our own misery.

[@leolightfellow]

The key change you cover in this video is my favorite, probably because I have so much childhood nostalgia for those Disney renaissance movies. :)

[@seanlewis3867]

Recently I've really been into ending phrases with IV iv I. Would be cool to see more examples of this

[@nickdavis6600]

More of a signature chord than a modulation, but I'd love to watch you talk in depth about bVI7, (Ab/C/Eb/Gb in C or Cm) which is such a cool and versatile chord. In classical music, of course you'd spell it differently as a German Augmented 6th (with F# instead of Gb) and typically resolve to V. Used as a chromatic mediant to travel between tonic and subdominant. (showcased in Starlight by The Supermen Lovers as I7-bVI7-iv) In jazz, you can use it as a tritone substitution for ii. As a modulation (Chorus 2 to bridge in Re: Your Brains by Jonathan Coulton is a nice example) it's a very natural but striking choice of destination.

[@richarddoan9172]

Uniconverter has a really bad website. It's hard to find where to actually download it. And I can't even find anywhere how much it costs after the free trial.

[@richardjanowski]

Radiohead's label should recognize that your channel generates a lot of interest in Radiohead's music, and just let you do whatever you want.

[@amandamedina5133]

Totally agree! I started listening to Radiohead after hearing a clip of paranoid android in one of his videos and they became my most listened-to artist of last year

[@paulembleton1733]

Seems madness to block someone for providing free advertising. Perhaps just an admin issue, the algorithms recognise the recording and automate the process, otherwise they’d need to watch every KZbin video flagged. Hopefully some forward looking record label find a solution because currently it’s effectively a block on the artist themselves.

[@John_Fugazzi]

Label people unfortunately don't generally think that way. They are mostly accountants and lawyers and what they see is a "product" the company invested in by hiring artists who could actually create something. Now owned by the company, they want to be paid for any use. They don't understand free publicity.

[@carbonmonoxide5052]

I got into Radiohead specifically because of David’s videos (and others) and they’re one of my favorite bands of all time (and I got my dad into their music).

[@KriegAdler09]

Just another example of corporations not supporting music education. 😢

[@GabzitoMusic]

Ayyy that's me 2:25 😳. You better lawyer up David, because I'm not coming back for 30%, I'm coming back for eeeveryyythiiing. Jk, great vid. I'm offended you didn't use my "Duel of the Fates" acapella too however.

[@staatsanwaltschaftemskirch4709]

Iron Maiden - Aces High chorus always modulates up a minor third and it gives me the chills

[@stefanodigarbo4735]

Iron Maiden have built an empire out of minor-third modulations

[@fathuman]

My Heart Will Go On I believe shifts up a minor 3rd after the flute solo. Celine crashing into the key change with those high notes really kicks the song into high gear. Very effective.

[@NintendoFan214]

Close, but it's actually a major third (from C sharp minor to F minor) Although that's technically a diminished fourth instead of a major third, it's still easier to see it as a major third. Still a great example for a surprising key change.

[@SamStormsKBD]

@@NintendoFan214 isn't it wrong to say diminished fourth? I've never seen it before 🤔

[@NintendoFan214]

@@SamStormsKBD That's understandable why one might think it's wrong, since intervals like the unison, fourth, fifth and octave are usually accompanied by "perfect", so there's no major or minor distinction. They can only be "augmented" or "diminished". In that specific example, it's entirely possible to interpret that interval as a diminished fourth, because the base interval between the two notes (without any alterations like sharps or flats) is a fourth (between C and F), but with the C sharpened, it becomes "diminished". However, a diminished fourth and a major third sound the same, so it's generally easier to refer to this interval as a major third. I hope this is understandable enough. :)

[@tabor503]

@@NintendoFan214I still don’t get it. They sound the same but are different??? Is it the context that defines it or is the interval really different?

[@MichelAzevedo29]

6:53 nightwish uses a lot of 3 semitones modulation, mostly in the last chorus of their songs. My favorite example is Ever Dream, that does it similar as Living on a Prayer. It starts in Gm and ends in Bbm. But the transition is so cool because it uses the F as the changing pont. The usual chorus ends with F making a backdoor resolution to Gm, but when it modulates, the resolution is a nice V-I to Bbm. This 3 semitone modulation repears is Sleeping Sun, Nemo, Élan, 7 days to the wolver. You can find 5 semitons modulations in Come cover me, While your lips are still red and Hows the heart. By the way, great vid

[@Lotschi]

while your lips are still great is an absolutely amazing song!

[@nwcki2017]

in Elan the first firstly modulare from D minor to B minor, and then go tower direction to F minor

[@MichelAzevedo29]

@@nwcki2017 thats right, i've forgotten about the bridge

[@frankjuggaloheathen1035]

Ghost Love Score is another good example. It switches between Dm and Fm in the intro, then the 12/8 section after the interlude switches between Gm and Bbm

[@SamStormsKBD]

Nightwish uses this 3 semitones modulation in almost every song. When I first read the title of the video they crossed my mind right away. Love them ❤️

[@MaayanMorMusic]

I absolutely love the power of a minor third up key change. It also happens in the theme song of Forrest Gump (A major to C major)

[@benoitrenaud519]

While my Guitar moves from A minor to A major. It never goes to C major. But this is why those 1 and 1/2 tone modulations work so well. The relative minor is a minor third apart. So going from let’s say C major to A major is like going to a relative mode but switching to major instead of the expected minor. Two moves in one, but smoothly.

[@markchristopher420]

My guitar gently weeps.

[@tabor503]

@@markchristopher420yeah I thought dude was talking about his own playing😂😂😂

[@DarioTinucci]

When Paul McCartney re-recorded "Silly Love Songs" in 1984 for the "Give my regards to Broad Street" movie, he added this key change for the instrumental break, going from C major to Eb major, then going back to C major in the singing part

[@jacksonsay37]

If you ever make a future video on chord progressions, I recommend the "I-iii-IV-V" progression used the the verse section of "Crocodile Rock".

[@dude5skater]

Off the top of my head, lets get it on by marvin gaye has the same progression in the verse

[@Cathalheraty69]

Hmmm, yess, music

[@calicosky9863]

Not that interesting progression tbh

[@BenjaminKassel]

Strikes me as a variation of the doo-wop changes (I-vi-IV-V). While iii and vi only share one note, they each share two notes with the tonic. Thus iii and vi can function similarly in each four-bar progression, both being a move away from the tonic with a closely related, diatonic minor chord. The 3rd scale degree being the common note between iii and vi also solidifies the chords’ similarities, because the note helps lead to the IV.

[@cybersoul3371]

@@calicosky9863 yeah it's really just vi-iii-ii-V-I but it starts at iii and IV replaces ii (normal)

[@BahamutBreaker]

I always point to the late key change in “Livin’ On a Prayer” whenever a friend asks me what I’m talking about (when I bring up key changes in popular songs). Almost every time, that example paints the picture so well, even when whomever I’m talking to has little background in music theory. Until I saw this video, though, I didn’t realize it’s that subtle “dropped” 4th beat in the bar immediately preceding the key change that REALLY drives the impact of the key change. I love this channel. I always learn something, every visit here.

[@TomGrubbe]

Yeah, when he mentioned that brief 3/4 time signature change right before the modulation I thought "Yeah that really lifted that key change a ton". I gotta remember that.

[@DeGuerre]

One you may know from classical music is Peter's theme from "Peter and the Wolf" by Sergei Prokofiev. The chords of the first four bars are Cmaj Cmaj A♭maj7(♯9) E♭maj. That third chord is, by itself, a small masterclass. It's a chromatic mediant chord with two common tones and a borrowed tone from the original key, which makes the modulation from C major to E♭ major sound weird but seamless.

[@aaronclift]

“Entangled” by Genesis has one of the most striking examples of a minor third modulation - both in the main body of the song (B minor to G# minor) and in the keyboard solo at the end (G# minor back to B minor).

[@cakemartyr5794]

That's interesting, thanks. It's a piece that should have massive recognition. It's quite brilliant.

[@JimoftheSlim]

Citing Genesis on a video about inventive key changes or time signatures is cheating. If something can be validly done in music, they probably did it brilliantly.

[@irvingmartinezanguiano9774]

It's so cool to hear about this topics, because, like music, clothing it's a part of personal expression. I identified with your insecurities. Loveeee

[@familiarstranger9617]

TOOL mentioned in the ad raaaa WTF IS A SPIRAL!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Hazzarius]

"Just Once" is a legendary song for this. Goes down a minor third for the bridge, up a tone, and then up a minor third for the final chorus. So relatively the final chorus is a tone up from the original key

[@ShaharHarshuv]

I've studied quite a few Alan Menken's songs before and I noticed this modulation of a minor third pattern many types. It was only lately that it occurred to me the reason: a minor 3rd is the difference between the major tonic and it's relative minor tonic. So going up a minor third is equivalent to "majorization" of the scale and going down a minor third is identical to "minorization" of the scale. Like you explained, the usage of the picardy third for this modulations is what helped me realize this. I've also used this technique in my last song, where I modulated up a minor third for the bridge.

[@TomGrubbe]

Interresting. I never thought of "majorization" and "minorization" but it makes sense when talking about the relative major/minor modulatiions.

[@LTMotions]

I absolutely love the key change in Savior Complex, every time i hear it i feel like i'm literally being lifted up to a higher plane of existence, it just feels so heavenly

[@emmbeesea]

Another good example is "New Kid in Town" by Eagles, both up and down a minor third for the middle verse and chorus. The downward key change from G back to E caught me completely off guard the first time I heard it, love that song.

[@davide2.07]

This song is an absolute gem. Some of the finest songwriting I consider. Glad you brought this example up.

[@alexneill8338]

Great example, the key change really adds to the warm, wistful feel of the song

[@markchristopher420]

One of the best songs ever written! In fact, I once told a young lady who hadn't heard "Hotel California" that the first 3 songs just might be the finest 15 minutes in all of "🎶"

[@kw9172]

Never noticed that, nice one!

[@benwright2855]

As a nipper, mucking about trying to write music, I stumbled upon the minor 3rd key change just through experimentation, and thought it sounded like the 'best' possible key change to add energy, and honestly I stand by that. What I feel gives it its edge is a combination of feeling like its reaching just that little bit further than the 2nd, and the modal mixture texture of grabbing the minor 3rd instead of the major. It's also really easy to write a melodic pattern to walk up to the new key centre if your line usually starts and ends on the tonic, and you can have fun inserting an extra bar or shorter bar to accommodate that lead-in.

[@thegothaunt]

So many songs I enjoy feature this fun key change. I LOVE having a name for it now. Especially loved the part about Bon Jovi!

[@dominiksuk7261]

Williams uses the minor (and even major) third chord relationships almost as a signature in his music. For me it's definitely one of the things it sounds so good and yet so not-mainstream.

[@philipkudrna5643]

Another well known example of the minor third upward modulation is „To be with you“ by Mr Big. My most classic minor third downward modulations („chromatic mediant“) is the Chorus of Whitney’s „Didn‘t we almost have it all“ (down to G from B-flat). And I loved the „Skaterboy“-Example. Even though I am a great Avril fan - I had never actively „recognized“ that there is a key change in the chorus!

[@Cosmefulanito2812]

The minor third modulation is my favorite type. It's an instant +1000% tension

[@aheshle]

As someone who has been such a champion of Radiohead's music over the years, it really is fucking shortsighted of their record label to take down your video.

[@jaakkot5440]

Tears In Heaven also modulates from A-major to C-major for the C-section

[@stuartizon]

One of the best key changes up a minor 3rd has to be As Long As He Needs Me from Oliver! Just so smooth and subtle the way it happens. Sublime!

[@DanielTartarottiSobrosa]

I'm impressed how ALL your videos are extremely full of good content, and with an approach easy to understand. Thanks man 😊

[@DavidBennettPiano]

❤

[@firstgiraffeonthemoon]

Great Video! I really appreciate that you gave many examples without lacking of a theoretical explanation at the end. And that you showed how it would have sounded if the song had stayed in the key 👍

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@flibber123]

I'm not a musician so I probably just don't realize I heard a key change, but I always think of Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart's version of People Get Ready as an example of this. Towards the end of the song Beck is clearly playing his part differently.

[@juliangitarre4196]

Man, I really love your videos! Not only because of their inspiration and educational value, but also because you introduce me to artists I propably would not have found without you. Thank you very much!

[@DavidNorthUK]

“I’m going to make you love me”’s chorus is another nice example.

[@TheMaartian]

In the early '60s, my piano lessons were two hours: one hour of theory on paper and one hour at the keyboard. I never knew why my teacher (the soloist for the St. Louis Philharmonic) had me transcribe classical pieces by a minor 3rd. Now I do!

[@TheMusicscotty]

This is the Whole New World key change for me. When Menken uses it it's an amazing kick into high gear. It's a common tone key change. If you're in C^ and you go to Eb^ then a G is a fifth in C, but the third in Eb. Very dynamic.

[@legoguy23451]

damn, this is epic. i accidentally modulated my song here, but i don't mind it. modulation has always been scary for me, i never understood how it was done effectively and learning new chord scales felt intimidating. it's always held me back in my compositions, but i'm surprised to find out how familiar the chords and notes are. feels nice to finally understand after ages of banging my head against a wall.

[@lewkawn.6669]

The Last Resort by Eagles modulates up from E to G during the interlude before the last few verses. It brings more stress on Don Henley’s voice as he finishes his analysis of American excess.

[@IanFitze]

Yes but there's sooooo many verses LoL. Without a key change it would've been interminable! And Jesus people bought 'em.

[@Horsenado1776]

“The way you look tonight” employs this technique as well.

[@computernaut]

I love that you're including more soundtrack example in your videos lately!

[@ericrakestraw664]

"Un-break My Heart" by Toni Braxton modulates from B minor to D minor in the chorus and G# minor in the bridge section.

[@oklaclarinet]

My college music theory professor used the term "Chromatic Third Modulation." His example was the Chicago song "You're the Inspiration." As a fan of Chicago, I feel this type of key change is most reminiscent of the 80s ballads, as is referenced by the 80s ballad parody "Lost in the Woods" from Frozen II.

[@markbrady7532]

Love your use of the term “gear shift” vs modulation. You’re awesome dude in general-really appreciate your videos.

[@KrisPBacon69]

Another reason why moving up a minor 3rd (for example G major -> Bb major) is more subtle than moving up a whole tone (G major -> A major) is because Bb major is the relative major of G minor, which is the parallel minor of G major. In other words, it's very similar to transposing from G major -> G minor.

[@i_am_cravin_mor]

I dont often watch the ad break, but I liked your style of editing and the way you showed the changes. I wanted to "reward" you with watching it ^^ tbf I was in the kitchen until it was over, but I wanted to give you the watchtime ^^. great work!

[@harmathdenes]

Two of my favorite examples of modulating a m3 down for the chorus are the end credit songs of Portal and Portal 2: Still Alive and Want You Gone.

[@markgraham2312]

I have Wondershare's Video converter and I have happily used it for many years.

[@bob_dubois]

This video inspired me to change the modulation in a song in our space rock band Kozmotron from a semitone to a minor third and it works better!

[@Mercenarus]

I really loved the "In your face change of key" 🤣

[@adambeaudoin8818]

You’re Going To Lose That Girl goes from E major in the verse to G major in the bridge. And at the end of the bridge I love the way John gets us back to E. He doesn’t do anything fancy; he just does it

[@Medevah]

That guitar passage in Something is genius! Bb -> B -> C# (F**K YOUR EXPECTATIONS!!!)

[@composer7325]

I never tire of your analysis, thank you, David.

[@Rdac0]

I like the alternative bell sounds near the end of the vid

[@steverapaport9898]

The minor third key change between C and A (and sometimes A minor) is all through the Abbey Road medley, not just in Something. It comes back later in Free As A Bird, thanks to George's inspired guitar solo.

[@VicktoRUrosAndrijasevic]

It's funny how each and every inspiring music theory topic has at least one the Beatles example... 🙃 Btw Iron Maiden's Aces High has this minor 3th move in the chorus section where they go from Em to Gm...

[@Jose_sacramento]

The way I think about this is not moving up or down a minor third but a key change to a ‘parallel’, as in C major to Eb major is C major to C minor.. makes a lot of sense seeing it from this, moving up or down a minor 3rd, angle as well though! Thanks for reframing the idea for me 🙂

[@zzzaphod8507]

Nice topic for a video! I've just about had it with the mindless overused up-by-semitone modulation at the end of a song, so it's good to be reminded that other modulations get used with some frequency!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks! 😊😊

[@glennpagemusic]

"Lost and Found" by The Kinks. Modulates from A major to C major for coda section. "Be Good to Yourself" by Journey goes from E to G major for the chorus. "This Never Happened Before" by Paul McCartney goes from E major to G major for the bridge.

[@thegothaunt]

Always happy to help with the "mighty algorithm" !! It's a tough world to navigate (the copyrights) -- thanks for reuploading that video! Going to go check it out now

[@alexpinegar9638]

New Kid in Town. Complex modulation from E to G for the third verse and chorus. And then they somehow subtly slide back to E at the end of the song!

[@chsinger96]

Wow this format is really becoming VERY specific😂

[@mslianhna]

MLTR - Paint My Love is also a great example for this… Transposed to minor 3rd in the chorus… and transposed again to the chorus’s minor 3rd for the bridge

[@Nathanaelsun22]

Been wishing for this one! Excellent as always, much much appreciation to you!!

[@NomeDeArte]

Love the channel, thank you for all the hard work you put on it! Best wishes from Argentina

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!

[@ZTRCTGuy]

This also works with fifths instead of thirds. Maybe works even better, but sometimes a song ends up being to high up in the note range or too low.

[@carbonmonoxide5052]

One way of looking at minor third key changes is that both scales share the same dim7 chord. G#dim7 can function as the dominant chord in A major or A minor but if you rearrange to Bdim7, it works in C major or C minor.

[@MVboys2]

The theme song to Sophia the First modulates DOWN a minor third, from D major to B major. The theme from the Avengers also does (G minor to E minor).

[@leoncchow]

`As Long As I Can Dream`, sung by Exposé, written by Dianne Warren and Roy Orbison. Song and chorus are in D, but the pre-chorus shifts to F.

[@rumtumbugger]

Was glad to see Living On Prayer here - the greatest key change in modern pop music ever. To the ear it does sound its shifting down two whole tones - because the preceding chord being a D. You think the dominant will to resolve to G (or Em) but it jumps to Bb... I wonder who actually came up with it...I guess Jon Bon Jovi was trying to do a whole step modulation but they found it worked even better to go up a third...I've looked but cant find any interviews on the subject of the actual song...

[@ProfessorPancakes420]

Quality video as always, David!

[@AdamEmond]

Undone (The Sweater Song) also does this for the guitar solo.

[@AdamEmond]

I especially like this because Metallica often goes up a whole step for the solos and stuff, but Weezer does it one more higher, haha.

[@abxorb]

Thank you so much for introducing me to that Phoebe Bridgers song, "Saviour Complex", beautiful, and that key change is amazing. Great video as always! ♥

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Phoebe Bridgers is amazing so I’m glad I could introduce you to her! 😊

[@spongeb27]

Great video as always, David :)

[@dataflowgeometry]

Brian Wilson pulls out the surprise minor 3rd chord change on "2 girls for every boy" on "Surf City", which he co-wrote with Jan Berry for Jan and Dean.

[@jonathanpalmer2923]

Fantastic video, thank you.

[@hugonametala5985]

neverending story changes C to Eb in the chorus, I think, great stuff 👏👏👏

[@IanFitze]

I was waiting with baited breath for you to mention "New kid in town" by The Eagles which begins in E Major and then modulates up to G Major but then goes back down to E major and presents brand new harmonic material in the Coda back in the original key.

[@UkuleleAversion]

Songs that key change up a minor third: - The bridge of *The Way You Look Tonight (Jerome Kern)* goes up to Gb from Eb - *Recorda-Me (Joe Henderson)* goes from A dorian to C dorian 5 bars in - *You Don't Know What Love Is (Gene DePaul),* and *Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise (Sigmund Romberg)* both modulate from their minor key (F and C respectively) to their relative major up a minor third

[@christophergetchell6490]

Thank you, I needed this for a song today.

[@HenryMidfields]

Grieg's Symphonic Poem "Autumn" has a similar modulation in its first half. The beginning and first theme starts in D major, and its second theme is in F major. Personally, I love minor 3rd (and diminished 5th/augumented 4th) modulation with both being same major or minor keys.

[@grrlpurpleable]

Copyright strikes for snippets used in music education are harsh... will go and re-watch :)

[@robbiepeterh]

This is such a simple thing to do. Wow! Thank you!

[@lardo444]

Dave, you are the best. FairFarren mate.

[@maxakgaming9215]

Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera has a clean semi-tone keychange from Db to E and back

[@timball8429]

Very insightful David. Given me some inspiration and a new tool for my songwriting! Thank you! 🙏

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊

[@NylezK]

I was wondering if you could make a video on R&B music?! It would be awesome! Love your work! Much love!

[@stefanodigarbo4735]

The big hit "Belle" from Riccardo Cocciante's Notre Dame de Paris is another good example of min3 modulation.

[@bobsykes]

I already watched the other video you mentioned, but currently are watching it again. What a bunch of nonsense. I love your channel.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Bob 😊

[@noamrosen6550]

I liked the use of a minor-third interval in the bell sound, on 10:37

[@PaulMurrayCanberra]

Also "Ding Ding Dong Song" by Gunther. Goes from Bm to Dm. Odd that I was wondering about that change and then this pops up on youtube.

[@nickdavis6600]

Thanks David, another interesting video. Would've personally like a bit of discussion on how the modulation is performed, whether it's choosing to use bVII, bVII7, IV-bVII, iv-bVII7 etc. A slightly different example is in Worthless (from the Brave Little Toaster) at the repeated line 'Pico let's go up to Zuma' - the cool thing about this one is that the lyrics heavily use the 1st and 3rd degrees, (E and G) so when you suddenly go up a minor third and immediately stack the same interval with G and Bb you're spelling out a diminished (EGBb) triad which does a great job of ramping up the feel of danger late in the song.

[@RobDug]

Thanks David, very informative

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!

[@rigelloar7474]

This is sometimes called the "flying modulation", and is equal to the parallel minor key, most commonly experienced as the lV minor chord, or the "backdoor dominant" ( bVll 7 ). All modal interchanges with the parallel key sound beautiful !

[@davedave8608]

superb exposition.. cheers

[@keithlarkins2296]

I saw the chromatic mediant video as soon as you re uploaded it so I've done my bit

[@jensenhealey08]

ZZ Top's La Grange another example. The song is in A major and the guitar solo in C, which really makes it pop out after the laid back riffage of the song.

[@BrunoReisVideo]

sk8er boi blew my mind 🤯 i never realized

[@mrpooroldme]

I knew this in one piece of music, but didn't realise it occurs so frequently.

[@instrumental32]

my man gotta delve into birdhouse in your soul by they might be giants. he’d have a field day with all the key changes

[@katyburrows1079]

I love your Chanel it’s awesome I love this helps me allot so thank you ❤️❤️

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😊😊😊

[@kevnar]

"To Be With You", by Mr. Big goes from E Major, to G Major, and then back down to E again.

[@TheMotiveDJ]

Your channiel is seriously amazing.