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You are here: Home / Questions / Subordinate Theme Key ?

Subordinate Theme Key ?

September 16, 2016 By

Forum › Subordinate Theme Key ?
0 Vote Up Vote Down
Jonathan W asked 9 years ago

It appears beethoven is starting his Subordinate theme on the V Chord of Ab Major..(The related major to F minor) is this standard practise? šŸ™‚
What are other options for key centres for the Subordinate theme? (Any closely related key?) I assume then we could connect the two keys together with a moludation during the transition? šŸ™‚ Just looking for clarification on the key centre of the subordinate theme!
Thanks!

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1 Answers
0 Vote Up Vote Down
Jon Brantingham Staff answered 9 years ago

It depends on the key the piece is in. If the starting key is major, the subordinate theme is almost always V (C major modulating to G major). If the starting key is minor, it is most commonly III (Cm modulating to Eb major) or minor v (C minor modulating to G minor).

Theoretically, you could choose any key, but these are the classical standards.

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