Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 52 of 96

Indirect means

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§ 50. — To modulate well from a minor key to the key of the subdominant (a–d), one first modulates to the major key relative to the following key: a (F) d.

Example: A minor to D minor by way of F major, the relative major of D minor, in two versions (a and b), the second with a bracketed cadential 6/4; “etc.” as pr — Fig. 199 · See it in the reader

The reason for this modulation is the contradiction between the minor tonic chord of the key of a and the major dominant chord of the key of d.

To modulate from a major key to the major key of the subdominant (C–F), one can also modulate indirectly: C (d) F.

Example: C major to F major indirectly, by way of D minor, with a bracketed cadential 6/4. — Fig. 200 · See it in the reader

Likewise, to pass to the key of the II degree (C–d), one modulates indirectly:

Example: C major to D minor indirectly, by way of F major; the soprano C falls to B♭ in half notes over the held C major chord. — Fig. 201 · See it in the reader

REMARK. — In all the examples above, the six-four chord in parentheses is only the formula of the cadence of the second kind, and, being of only relative importance, it may be left out without harm.