Very common it seems for songs to change keys into a higher one but I dont think I’ve really ever heard something doing a descending modulation or key change…

closest I can think of is Strawberry Fields by The Beatles but my understanding is that is Varispeed or something, not really sure what the heck is happening in that song other then its gradually flattening but not sure what that even is

  • EpheraEnglish
    4•57 minutes ago

    I’ve lived through far too many of these songs to know so little about the genre, but I believe, this applies to many polkas.
    They like to end on a hearty, cozy note, so they want the warmer sound of a downward modulation.

    I think, a common structure is something like:

    1. Chorus b-flat
    2. Chorus b-flat
    3. Some intermezzo, like commonly a bass solo
    4. Chorus d-flat
    5. Chorus d-flat, but in forte
    • @cheese_greaterOPEnglish
      1•53 minutes ago

      Whats the classic polka to suggest? I always knew I was Bohemian lol

  • KorthrunEnglish
    2•3 hours ago

    I’ve never been good at theory so I could be way off, but I think Sublimes “Pool Shark” does what you’re asking about.

    • @cheese_greaterOPEnglish
      1•2 hours ago

      Thanks! very strange sounding if it is in fact doing what I’ve described

      curious, what was your first impression on hearing that song?

      • KorthrunEnglish
        2•2 hours ago

        Broadly: How sad.

        Musically: I caught the change and definitely thought it was unusual. It brought a mildly aggressive feel to the later section of the song.

        If I’m remembering right it opens in Dm and then goes down to F#m after the first chorus. So pitch wise a shift downward, but maybe you’re talking counter clockwise on the circle of fifths or something?

        Edit: when I first commented I either didn’t see the Strawberry Fields reference or it wasn’t there yet. We’re probably not talking about the same thing, but definitely give the acoustic version of Pool Shark a listen.

        Your Strawberry Fields reference made me curious though and I found this interesting snippet https://www.reddit.com/r/beatles/comments/5fgser/the_famous_splice_edit_in_strawberry_fields/

        • @cheese_greaterOPEnglish
          1•2 hours ago

          Utterly fascinating! Thank you so much for this :)

          Also I was super unclear and did an edit so no worries about it, I often revise when my perspective or knowledgebase changes so its nothing on you, I just like to tweak things as I go along