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jamesfdouglasQuote
andrewm
Good choice, James. I used to have this debate with a fellow songwriter when we were playing/recording in a band together. To him, modulation was anathema, a cheap cliche, too obvious, to be avoided at all cost. To me, it was, when used judiciously/sparingly, a great way of ramping up the drama or carrying the tune home. On a song on my current band's new album we modulate twice, going up a step each time, on the refrain at the end. "Too much?" we asked ourselves. "Absolutely not", we decided unanimously.
I agree, it really does amp it up, and I've always found that singers in particular enjoy key changes the most. Your former bandmate who debated this; let me guess... you sing, and he doesn't?
What's your band called. Andrew?
Oh yes. The opening song "Manifesto" from same titled Roxy Music album does something similar. I am not where I can hear it, but I THINk it does something even more odd - maybe goes up and then back down (??)Quote
tomk
Sunny by Bobby Hebb. It changes keys (modulates) every verse.
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matsumoto33Quote
ozziestone
Agreed andrewm. Modulation can work well. But also can be a lazy way of pepping up an otherwise ordinary song. Come On is a good example of the later.
My band struggles with key changes I must say-we tend to ignore them (eg Lodi)
I recall Chuck Berry trying to change key in the middle of Roll of Beethoven on Hail Hail with Keith firmly stopping him
I'm not sure if Keith would be up to a key change (in concert anyway) these days???
Keith modulates on his own here!
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andrewmQuote
jamesfdouglasQuote
andrewm
Good choice, James. I used to have this debate with a fellow songwriter when we were playing/recording in a band together. To him, modulation was anathema, a cheap cliche, too obvious, to be avoided at all cost. To me, it was, when used judiciously/sparingly, a great way of ramping up the drama or carrying the tune home. On a song on my current band's new album we modulate twice, going up a step each time, on the refrain at the end. "Too much?" we asked ourselves. "Absolutely not", we decided unanimously.
I agree, it really does amp it up, and I've always found that singers in particular enjoy key changes the most. Your former bandmate who debated this; let me guess... you sing, and he doesn't?
What's your band called. Andrew?
James, he actually sings as well. He's just very opinionated-refused to do encores because he thought they were a sham. I would always tell him, "dude, you have to earn that kind of thing. I'm grateful if people want to hear more". I could go on and on. Okay, one more: didn't want drummers to sing backing vocals, even if they sang great, because he thought that, aesthetically it looked wrong.
My current band is called BUDOKAN, out here in Victoria, B.C.
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nomis
Dear Doctor "modulates" from E to A.
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jazzbass
Surrender. Cheap Trick.
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His Majesty
The Rolling Stones - We Love You