Topmusicanswers
What is a half-step modulation?
Modulating up a step (either a half step or whole step) is by far the most recognizable form of modulation because it rarely uses a pivot chord, but instead abruptly jumps from the old key to the new key.
What is step modulation?
Step-up/pump-up modulation
In the pop literature, direct modulations by whole- or half-step are common near the end of the song. Direct/phrase modulations by step from old-key tonic to new-key tonic in pop music are also called step-up or pump-up modulations. A step-up modulation is notated like a direct modulation.
How do you change a half-step key?
To put it simply, your basic chord progression ends, you then play a chord that is the dominant chord of the key you're about to go to, then you repeat the progression a half-step higher. The Ab in the middle is the so-called “dominant chord” that sets your progression up for the new key.
