Transitioning from key to key ???

[Shagdac]

Isn't there a "rule of thumb" so to speak as far as how to transition from one key to another? For the life of me, I cannot find this chart I had, and haven't had to do this for some time. I remember when providing background music for a function...(playing popular style music non stop), there was a way I used to go smoothly from one key to another (from one song to another, without stopping), and can't remember.

Can anyone help?

Thank you,
S

[xvimbi]

Are you talking about transposing? If so, you simply figure out the scale degrees of all the notes of your original piece and apply them to a different key. There is a strict mathematical relationship, if that's what you mean with "formula", but most people simply know their scales and chords well and know what the tonic, dominant, I, IV, V chords, and so on are in all keys.

[Shagdac]

Thanks xvimbi, but I know how to transpose. I guess I didn't explain it correctly. Let's say you are playing a piece in Emaj....the next piece/song you want to go right into, (without a stop in playing) is in Bbmaj. What slight chord progression, or passage would/could you play to "transition" (NOT transpose) from the one piece to the next piece and make it sound smooth, unoticeble.

What would come between the piece in Emaj and the next peice in Bbmaj? I'm not referring actually to classical pieces, like in a recital. But more when one is playing for a function...where you play "poplular/pop music" and there is no break between songs. Or at church during a praise and worship series....there is not a break. I used to to do this all the time, but have been back to classical, and can't remember what I used to do.
And I need to remember now, and can't seem to!
Does this make sense? Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks again,
S

[xvimbi]

Thanks xvimbi, but I know how to transpose.

That's what I thought. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[bernhard]

Try this book:

Gail Smith - “Complete book of modulations for the pianist” (Mel Bay publications)

It is exactly what you are looking for (it has smooth transitions – one bar long – from any key to any key). There is no rule, just a set of principles that you will quickly figure out as you try a few of the modulations.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[dj]

a lot of times (not all the time), you can make a relatively smooth transition by simply moving to the dominant 11th* of the tonic of the new key signature.

*i think it's the 11th but im not sure y. it's the IV chord with a V base.