Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 50 of 96

Diatonic modulation

§ 49. 1) While still in the precedent key, one takes one of the chords common to the following key, avoiding however the tonic chord of the latter.

2) This intermediate chord is regarded as the chord of the corresponding degree in the following key, and the modulation is confirmed as accomplished by adding one of that key's cadences or cadential successions.

3) Most often the common chord should be chosen among the subdominant chords of the following key.

4) If the common chord is of the second order in the preceding major key, it is placed a third below a first-order chord in root position.