Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 64 of 96

Distant keys

§ 61.—1) Apart from the keys of the first and second class, the other keys, having no chords in common with the preceding key, are considered distant keys.

One modulates to them by way of the neighbouring keys; the modulating plans may differ:

1) C major —4th— (F minor —3rd— D♭ major) —2nd— E♭ minor
2) C major —2nd— (D minor —3rd— B♭ major) —4th— E♭ minor
} GOOD
3) C major —4th— (F major —4th— B♭ major) —4th— E♭ minor
4) C major —4th— (F minor —4th— B♭ minor) —4th— E♭ minor
} MONOTONOUS. Intervals of a fourth.

2) In drawing up a modulating plan to distant keys, one will use the following means as often as possible:

a) In modulating from sharp keys to flat keys.

Starting from a major key, one modulates by four accidentals; starting from a minor key, one likewise modulates by four accidentals, taking care to pass first to the relative major key or to one of the neighbouring major keys, e.g.:

1) B major – E minor – C major – D minor – B♭ major
2) C♯ minor – E major – A minor – F major – B♭ major, or C♯ minor – A major – D minor – B♭ major

b) In modulating from flat keys to sharp keys. Starting from a minor key, one modulates by four accidentals, and starting from a major key one likewise modulates by four accidentals, passing first to the relative key or to one of the related minor keys, e.g.:

1) B♭ minor – F major – A minor – E minor
2) (A♭ major – F minor) C major – A minor – E major, or (A♭ major – C minor) G major – A minor – E major