Which statement defines a modulating sequence?

Which statement defines a modulating sequence?

• A. the second segment is exact intervallic transposition of the first
• B. only part of first segment is transposed
• C. first segment is transposed but kept in diatonic scale
• D. the second segment of a melody moves to a different tonal center than the first

Answer: (D)

A modulating sequence moves the music to a new tonal center in a following segment. The statement describing the second segment as shifting to a different tonal center than the first captures this change of key or center, which is what modulation is all about. The other ideas describe simply transposing the same material or keeping it within the same key—no real shift in tonality is introduced. For example, a melody idea in C major that proceeds and cadences in G major demonstrates modulation, establishing a new tonal center in the second segment.

A modulating sequence moves the music to a new tonal center in a following segment. The statement describing the second segment as shifting to a different tonal center than the first captures this change of key or center, which is what modulation is all about. The other ideas describe simply transposing the same material or keeping it within the same key—no real shift in tonality is introduced. For example, a melody idea in C major that proceeds and cadences in G major demonstrates modulation, establishing a new tonal center in the second segment.