Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 58 of 96

Definitive and transient modulation

§ 56. — Modulation is subdivided into definitive and transient.

When the following key lasts for a more or less long time, the modulation is definitive.

When the following key is touched only lightly, even by a single chord, in order to return to the preceding key or to pass to another related key, the modulation is transient.

For the modulation to be fully accomplished, there is no need to mark the following key by the tonic chord in root position; and although the sixth chord of the first degree is sufficient, it is evident that the modulation is then not definitive, and requires a few chords or else a cadence to establish the following key firmly. In the same way, to define the preceding key, the tonic chord alone is not sufficient.